Schumann, Bartók & Brahms
Photo by Peggychoucair from Pixabay
Saturday 14 June 2025, 7:30pm
The Sheldonian Theatre
Schumann - Genoveva Overture
Bartók - Violin Concerto no.2
Brahms - Symphony no.4
Stefan Simonca-Oprita violin
Robert Max conductor
In Schumann's only opera, Genoveva, drama ensues after a failed attempt to seduce Genoveva, the wife of Siegfrid. Mirroring the storyline, the overture follows the same dramatic trajectory, with music moving through ominous and wrenching moods, arriving at eventual majesty and triumph.
Bartók's second violin concerto was written for Zoltán Székely, his long-standing recital partner. This concerto is infused with styles from Hungarian folk music, and is very much a celebration of life, and is played for us by Stefan Simonca-Oprita.
Despite featuring great warmth and lyrical beauty, Brahms' 4th symphony has a definite tragic character.
The finale is based on a passacaglia: a sequence variations on a bass pattern. It ends with a bleak but thrilling
conclusion, cementing its place as a firm favourite in the classical repertoire.
Tickets: £18, Accompanied under 16s FREE
Students aged 16-25 and those in receipt of benefits £10
from Ticket Source (box office 0333 666 3366)
Book now
The Sheldonian Theatre - an architectural jewel in the Oxford skyline and ceremonial home of the University of Oxford
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You can download the image of the poster for this concert.
