5th Symphony Concert

With his concert overture Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage (Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt), Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy composed his instrumental interpretation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s poems of the same name. Static soundscapes convey the oppressive calm that forces a sailing ship to a standstill. But then the music gains momentum, surging forward—a lively, rhythmically pulsating section with bright wind fanfares leads to the triumphant conclusion.
Surrender to fate? This question is also posed in Piotr I. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. The composer described the clarinet melody of the first movement as a “complete surrender to fate.” This “theme of fate,” which runs through all the movements, became the musical hallmark of an artist plagued by self-doubt and depression. Here, Tchaikovsky once again demonstrates his ability to craft music full of emotional depth, lush melodies, and dramatic intensity.
With Mendelssohn’s Capriccio brillant and Josef Schelb’s Capriccio concertante, pianist Oliver Triendl explores the free, imaginative form. Oscillating between humorous lightness, spirited virtuosity, and burlesque whimsy, the little-known Josef Schelb (1894–1977) reveals his own distinctive personal style.