A symphony concert that balances dramatic power with subtle wit opens ears in Schwerin to four distinctive soundscapes: from romantic depth to orchestral opulence to surprising musicality.

In the Tragic Overture in D minor, Op. 81, Johannes Brahms unfolds a dark, passionately condensed sound world that immediately captivates the audience with its contrasting themes and intense expression. This is followed by Richard Strauss' dramatic tone poem Don Juan – an opulent, virtuosic fireworks display that brings the legendary figure of the seducer to life in sensually powerful orchestral movements.

With subito con forza by Unsuk Chin is a vivid, contrasting reflection on classical structures: explosive, fascinating, and tonally pointed, the work explores the expressive power of contemporary music while evoking Beethoven's spirit in a new form. The program concludes with Ludwig van Beethoven' Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93—a work with tongue-in-cheek lightness, surprising twists, and virtuoso precision, which combines classical formal traditions with characteristic humor in its freshness and joy of playing.

This programmatic sequence brings together orchestral monumentality, modern musical language, and classical joy of playing. The 4th symphony concert presents music as a polyphonic experience—powerful, sonorous, and at the same time full of charming, pointed moments.
April 10, 11, and 12, 2026