Romantic program with Volgograd Philharmonic Orchestra

Last week I was in Volgograd for the second time, to conduct again the Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert on April 29. This time with a very romantic program:

Mendelssohn – Overture Hebrides

Saint-Saëns – Violin Concerto no. 3

Dvorak – Symphony no. 9

To me, the Hebrides overture is the most beautiful overture of the entire symphonic repertoire. I conducted it already 15 times before with 6 different orchestras. And now, the 16th time with the 7th orchestra, I enjoyed the piece as much as all years before. Wonderful!

On the contrary, it was the first time for me to conduct the 3rd violin concerto by Saint-Saëns. I think a piece that deserves to be played more often in concert.

After the intermission, there was Dvoraks “from the new world”-symphony, which I also conducted many times. I was happy to conduct this symphony – like Mendelssohns overture – in concert without a score, having all attention for the musicians and the music. 

Here you will see a short fragment from the second movement.

The preparation, the organization, the flights, the rehearsals, the concert: they were all without any problems. Was this trip absolutely perfect? Actually no: I am still waiting for my luggage that didn’t arrive on my way back at Düsseldorf Airport! But who cares after such a fantastic concert experience?