Robert Schumann’s violin concert and third symphony.
A performance by Het Gelders Orkest and violinist Simone Lamsma
An introduction
Schumann, born in 1810 Zwickau, wrote this piece. Around 1850 Schumann becomes under the spell
of the river the Rhine. This was his inspiration for the five-piece third symphony, a spontaneous
hymn on this particular river, the surroundings and the Cathedral in Cologne. 4 years later, Schumann
who was tormented with depression jumped in de Rijn himself (but got saved). Before his deed of
desperation, he wrote his violin concert. Clara Schumann and Brahms decided after his death in 1856
that the concert could only be performed a hundred years later. However, the German violist Georg
Kulenkampf did not seem to care and already played it in 1937 with the Berliner Philharmoniker
under the direction of Karl Bohm.
Het Gelders Orkest
The orchestra consists out of 85 musicians in
totality; this makes Het Gelders Orkest a large,
leading and high quality symphony orchestra. It is
the Orchestra’s goal to get people within but also
outside Gelderland to enjoy live played symphonic
music. The orchestra started out as the
Arnhemsche Orkest Vereniging in 1889 by Albert
Kwast. In 1949 the orchestra changes its name
into Het Gelders Orkest. The real success starts
after 1989 with Robert Benzi and his successors Lawrence Renes and Martin Sieghart, becoming the
most important regional orchestra. Currently the orchestra is led by Antonello Manacorda. Antonello
is from Turin and soon started to play the violin. After finishing his education at the conservatorium
he set up the Mahler Chamber Orchestra with Claudio Abbado. After following lessons to become a
conductor, he has led many orchestras and several operas in Florence, Milan and Naples, gaining
recognition for his interpretation of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. He has been head conductor of HGO
since April 2011.
Simone Lamsma
Simone Lamsma (1986) was the guest violinist of the
first half of the evening. Her success started when she
was only fourteen. She has won several prices like the
China International Violin Competition in 2005. She’s
been touring all over the world and works with
leading orchestras and conductors. She has already
worked with HGO a few other times, the last being in
December 2012.