WIR 3

The pre-Christmas period is accompanied by optimism, joy and peaceful calm. This optimism is beautifully reflected in Classical music and the artistic ideal of the "pastoral". Rural scenes and reflections on nature are the starting point for Beethoven's 6th Symphony and the "Kleine Suite" by Witold Lutoslawski. Beethoven often undertook excursions into the countryside - the flutes, oboe and light accompanying strings are testimony to his bond with nature, while the drumbeats in the thunderstorm passages make one tremble before its power. Composed in 1951, Lutoslawski's "Mała suita" takes us directly into rural Poland, utilising melodies of the Polish shepherd's flute, Polka rhythms and folk songs. In addition to Beethoven, Joseph Haydn is another central figure of Viennese Classicism. His Cello Conerto in C major breaks the boundaries between late-baroque, courtly austerity and passionate, almost modern virtuosity.

The cello soloist is ECHO Klassic prize winner Maximilian Hornung, who has recorded Haydn's Cello Concerto with the Kammerakademie Potsdam. Johannes Klumpp, chief conductor of Essen's Folkwang Kammerorchester and Artistic Director of the Schloss Hundisburg Summer Music Academy, is on the podium.