International Mendelssohn Festival 2024
Elbphilharmonie, Kleiner Saal (Hamburg)
It’s about joy and happiness, about love and longing, and also sometimes about difficult and sad things. In short, it is about everything that comes directly »from life«. Bedřich Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1 forms the overarching theme of this multi-layered concert evening. Two composers from Hamburg are represented in this programme: Johannes Brahms has the last word with his String Sextet in B-flat major, while his much lesser-known compatriot Ferdinand David appears with his Sonata for violin solo op. 43. The Saxon city of Leipzig became the centre of life for the composer and violinist David, who taught Joseph Joachim, the violin legend who also inspired Brahms, at the Leipzig Conservatory.