Tetzlaff Plays Brahms Violin Concerto
Thu May 30 — Sat Jun 1, 2024
Orchestra Hall
A trio of German musical stars arrives at Orchestra Hall when violinist Christian Tetzlaff returns to play the music of Johannes Brahms under the baton of conductor David Afkham. Brahms’ fiendishly difficult Violin Concerto sways between moments of peaceful serenity and dark, stormy scenes, standing boldly as the opening to this kaleidoscopic concert, which also features colorful works by Dutilleux and Bartók.
A Few Things to Know
- Christian Tetzlaff most recently performed with the Minnesota Orchestra in March 2020 and for the season finale in 2016. About the latter concert, Michael Anthony for the Star Tribune said “Tetzlaff gave these final pages an appropriately elegiac character, with poised and elegant tone, as if the sound were bathed in a delicate light conveying a sense of profound nostalgia and regret.”
- David Afkham, who studied violin and piano from the age of 6, also comes from a musical family. His brother Micha Afkham is currently a violist in the Berlin Philharmonic.
- Métaboles is the musical result of Henri Dutilleux’s exploration of metamorphosis, playing with the idea of dramatic transformation caused by slow and gradual changes.
- The 1926 premiere of Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin in Cologne, Germany, was considered so scandalous that the city’s mayor blocked any further performances, and efforts to produce it in Budapest five years later—in celebration of the composer’s 50th birthday—ran into such opposition that they had to be canceled.
Program
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BRAHMS
Violin Concerto
1 min noteOne Minute Note
One of the most beloved works for violin and orchestra, this concerto is breathtaking in its musical scope. It is also fiendishly difficult to play—requiring great technical prowess—thanks in part to the soloist for whom Brahms intended it: his friend Joseph Joachim, whose influence shows especially in passages asking for tenths, an interval requiring nimble hands.
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DUTILLEUX
Cinq Métaboles
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Métaboles explores the concept of transition, with five continuous movements reflecting various aspects of change. This piece marked a turning point in Dutilleux’s career, incorporating unique structural experiments and soloistic percussion.
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BARTÓK
Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin
1 min noteOne Minute Note
The Miraculous Mandarin was a failure at its 1926 premiere, as audiences, press, civic leaders and the Catholic Church called it shockingly immoral. Bartók insisted the story was a cautionary and allegorical tale of the conflict between good and evil, with an outcome of real beauty. The music, condensed into a suite, can be appreciated on its own terms: brilliant, hard-edged, rhythmic and powerful.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
David Afkham
conductor
Christian Tetzlaff
violin
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. In September 2024, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård begins his second season as music director.
Known for his impeccable technique and compelling artistry, David Afkham has received worldwide acclaim and is one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation. He is the chief conductor and artistic director of the Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España, a position he has held since 2019 after five seasons as the orchestra’s principal conductor.
An artist known for his musical integrity, technical assurance and compelling interpretations, Christian Tetzlaff has for many years been internationally recognized as one of the most sought-after violinists and exciting musicians on the classical music scene. He has performed and recorded a broad spectrum of repertoire ranging from Bach’s unaccompanied sonatas and partitas to world premieres of contemporary works such as the Jorg Widmann Violin Concerto.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Pre-concert performance
When: May 30 - June 1 | 45 minutes prior
Where: Target Atrium
Know Before You Go
An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Directions & Parking
All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
Pre-order beverages
Skip the lines at the bar! Pre-order your intermission beverage via the Minnesota Orchestra App when you arrive at Orchestra Hall.
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
SPONSORED BY
The 2023-2024 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.
