Israeli maestro Omer Meir Wellber takes to the Â鶹ԼÅÄ Philharmonic podium for the first time to conduct a programme of music from some of the most well-known classical composers.
Opening this afternoon is Symphony No. 49 – one of Haydn’s darkest and most austere works and full of drama. Known as La Passione (The Passion), this piece takes its inspiration not from love affairs and desires but from the contemplation of Good Friday – a fitting seasonal choice.
Schumann’s pioneering Cello Concerto follows – performed today by talented 24-year old Romanian cellist Andrei Ioniță – and rejects overt solo virtuosity in favour of a dialogue between cello and orchestra. To close this afternoon’s concert – the full existential drama of Shostakovich’s Sixth Symphony is unleashed.