Mad Over Mendelssohn

About

Experience the majesty of Mad Over Mendelssohn performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra on 27 November. This can't-miss concert not only is the first opportunity to witness the orchestra conducted by Chloé van Soeterstède, our new Principal Guest Conductor but also, we are thrilled to be joined by our Artist-in-Residence Alena Baeva.

Baeva is considered one of the most exciting and versatile soloists active on the world stage today, having won the Grand Prix at the 12th International Henryk Wieniawski Competition (2001), as well as the Prize for the Best Performance of a Contemporary Work. Alena performs Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor in her first concert as BSO Artist-in-Residence.

There is perhaps no more beloved violin concerto than Mendelssohn's masterpiece. The sheer quality of the music and lightness of touch, bursting with unbridled vitality that leaves audiences clamouring for more, makes it a favourite amongst performers and listeners alike. Brahms' First Symphony, although inspired by those of his hero Beethoven, broke new ground for symphonic form. A turbulent mood is established at the outset, by turns dark and meltingly warm, often infused with a rueful quality expressing a strain of sadness in his personality never lightened by artistic success. Schumann's majestic and vivacious Overture, Scherzo & Finale is a joyous work. It opens in dramatic fashion, dark and challenging, until a lively major melody appears, lightening the mood.

Born in France, Chloé Van Soeterstède moved to the UK to train as a viola player at London's Royal Academy of Music. Growing up playing in orchestras she always aspired to being a conductor and went on to study conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music (2015-17) where she was awarded the Kennedy scholarship. She has performed and conducted with orchestras all over the world and joins the BSO for Schumann's Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and Brahms' Symphony No.1 in her first programme as Principal Guest Conductor.