Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms form three generations of titans of German classical music. Brahms was deeply interested in musical history and scholarship and this set of variations honouring Haydn seems to chart the course of musical history since the composition of the original theme. Haydn’s own Symphony No. 104 continues the programme; this was the composer’s last symphony but has no valedictory tone and is instead full of confidence and inspiration, no doubt stimulated by the new environment in which the composer found himself. To close the evening, Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto with its sparkling finale contains a mixture of delicate filigree and exuberant vitality.
This evening's concert is supported by the Meyer Foundation
More concerts at Royal Festival Hall
Close Up with Charles Hazlewood in London
Feb 11 2012, 16:00 - Royal Festival Hall
Start your journey into the heart of an orchestra.
Dohnányi conducts in London
Feb 16 2012, 19:30 - Royal Festival Hall
Christoph von Dohnányi conducts Brahms's great German Requiem.







