Schumann / Brahms

In Nänie and Schicksalslied, two symphonic-choral works to be performed by the Bilbao Choral Society, Brahms set the words of Hölderlin and Schiller to music to reflect on death and destiny. In Nänie, Brahms laments that even the most beautiful things must come to an end, whilst Schicksalslied contrasts the well-being of the gods with human vulnerability; yet Brahms sought to counterbalance the harshness of the texts with music that offers comfort and hope. Christian Zacharias, an internationally renowned German pianist and conductor, who will perform both roles in this programme, will then perform the Introduction and Allegro appassionato  by Schumann, Brahms’s mentor In this work, Schumann presented the piano as a passionate voice that emerges from the orchestra only to merge with it once more, thus setting the tone for the final piece on the programme: Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, considered the most crystalline, classical and uplifting of the four he composed.