Brahms Days / "Unconsciously following in Bach's footsteps"

A recurring point of reference for Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, the classicist among the German Romantics, was the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.  Hence Brahms’ remark that, compositionally, he “unconsciously follows in Bach’s footsteps.” The program features Bach’s Violin Sonata in E minor, Mendelssohn’s Trio in D minor, and Brahms’ Cello Sonata in E minor. Performers include Sarah Jegou-Sageman, Killian White, Giuseppe Guarrera, and Michael Wendeberg. The pianist and conductor Michael Wendeberg, born in Ebingen, has in recent years played half of his programs at his piano recitals in Lautlingen Castle on small, easily portable table pianos from the Jehle Collection there, delighting the audience. This is one of the most important collections of concert-ready historical keyboard instruments in Germany. Wendeberg initiated this festival to introduce the audience to a central instrument of the collection: a wonderful Bechstein concert grand piano from 1860, predestined for Brahms and related repertoire. Over three days, six concerts will take place, exploring various musical paths starting from Brahms. His chamber music partners in this endeavor—French violinist Sarah Jégou-Sageman, Irish cellist Killian White, Israeli mezzo-soprano Hagar Sharvit, and Italian pianist Giuseppe Guarrera, all of whom are international prize-winning musicians—are just as at home on concert stages around the world as he is, promising a colorful, top-tier concert weekend. Music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, and Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.