Organization

Conductor

Anja Bihlmaier

Instrumentalist

Alexander Melnikov

Piano

Others

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Schumann and Tchaikovsky

Southbank

Australia

Arts Centre Melbourne

Hamer Hall

Schumann and Tchaikovsky: Manfred, op. 115 Schumann (+2 More)

Public

Manfred, op. 115

Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 54

Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 (Pathétique Symphony)

Approved

Join the MSO and conductor Anja Bihlmaier in exploring the musical introspection of two of classical music’s most profoundly talented and intensely emotional composers.

- Lord Byron’s poem Manfred follows a man tortured by guilt, who summons supernatural beings before dying from madness. The story presents devastating parallels to Schumann’s own mental health decline, and this Overture – written to accompany the poem – captures its emotional intensity with great beauty and striking intimacy.

- Starting with a literal bang from the timpani and strings, Robert Schumann’s arresting, romantic concerto for piano and orchestra is impulsive – almost manic, even – in its creativity. Pianist Alexander Melnikov brings true star power and originality to this fantastic concerto.

- Tchaikovsky considered his Sixth Symphony as ‘the best thing I ever composed or shall compose’. Full of nostalgic warmth, passion, and heart, the Sixth is a musical meditation on the joys of a life remembered, tempered by the inevitability of death. It ends, not in jubilant celebration as was the symphonic tradition at the time, but in a supremely effective fade out to silence.

English

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Ensemble