Fabio Luisi conducts Beethoven

With Fabio Luisi, we perform Beethoven's most cheerful symphony, the Eighth, preceded by two works full of melancholy, consolation and contemplation by American composers. Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 has always stood in the shadow of its brash big sister, the Seventh. Unjustly so, thinks conductor Fabio Luisi. Of all of Beethoven’s symphonies, the Eighth is in any case the wittiest with amusing and novel ideas in each movement. For example, an absurdly humorous effect is created by Beethoven placing an elegant and graceful melody that could easily come straight from a Rossini opera over woodwinds imitating a metronome.

In Aaron Copland's dreamy Quiet City , trumpet and alto oboe steal the show. Samuel Barber's melodious Violin Concerto puts Canadian violinist James Ehnes centre stage. After the wistful and deeply felt first two movements, the music eventually erupts in a devilish finale.