Maria João Pires plays Beethoven

The "Manfred" Symphony still takes a back seat to Tchaikovsky's "actual" six symphonies in public concert life. The "Manfred" program was actually intended for Berlioz, but he declined to set it to music. So Tchaikovsky took over, and the result is an incredibly richly orchestrated four-movement orchestral epic. Lord Byron, an English Romantic writer whom Tchaikovsky held in high esteem, provided the material for the composition, which ultimately provides a very personal, even intimate insight into the sensitive soul of the Russian composer. The "Manfred" Symphony can therefore certainly be regarded as a musically encoded confession. And it was particularly close to him throughout his life: "Even if 'Manfred' were the work of the greatest genius, it would still be a symphony that would only be played once every ten years due to its extraordinary complexity and difficulty. On the other hand, I rate it very highly." Well, the ten years are over once again - thanks to the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester and its chief conductor Michael Sanderling.

The fact that there is another symphony in addition to Tchaikovsky's six, the great "Manfred" Symphony, may not yet have gotten around everywhere. But it can be heard on this evening.

Luzerner Sinfonieorchester
Conductor: Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider
Piano: Maria João Pires

Composers & Works
Unsuk Chin (* 1961)
"subito con forza"

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G major op. 58

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
"Manfred" op. 58, symphony based on the dramatic poem by Byron

Please note: The program and the artists performing are subject to change. The current program can be found on the website.