OÖ Philharmonic - Gala Concert

At the beginning is the 1st March from Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance," which is often associated with royal ceremonies as well as life-changing moments and transformations, allowing us to reflect on the countless positive impacts of fate. We then turn our attention to one of the most fateful opera characters of all time, Georges Bizet's "Carmen" – the most popular melodies resound: from the prelude and intermezzo to the world-famous Habanera and the Toreador song. Another association with fate is represented by the devil, and Joseph Hellmesberger Jr. has found an incredibly impressive musical language for this in his furious "Danse Diabolique." The crowning conclusion of the first half of the concert will be the overture to Giuseppe Verdi's "La forza del destino." With restless, very fast string figures, melancholic woodwind melodies, and powerful brass chorales, this overture impressively musically depicts the power of fate with great variety.

The highlight of the concert awaits in the second part with Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony in E minor. In this monumental work, the composer grapples with the question of fate and faith, which is why it is often referred to as the "Fate Symphony." The four movements are interwoven with a common leading theme – the "fate motif." The first movement begins with exactly this motif out of nowhere – complete dejection and doubt form the fundamental mood of this movement. The second movement features perhaps the most touching horn solo in music history, which Tchaikovsky described as a "ray of light." Several outbursts of intense passion are ultimately cruelly interrupted by the fate motif. Even at the end of the carefree 3rd movement – a slow waltz – that motif resounds. In the finale, the fate motif now appears transformed; it is no longer dejected but majestic, in major instead of minor. After the rapid main section, which is finally determined and confident of victory, the motif sounds one last time as a bombastic triumphal march, and in a swirling frenzy, Tchaikovsky concludes his masterpiece.