The Wild Romantic

The Wild Romantic

R. Strauss, Don Juan R. Strauss, Four Last Songs featuring soloist Hannah Davey Mendelssohn, Symphony no. 3 “The Scottish”

The programme for this concert explores three different aspects of wild romanticism, starting with an exploration of the perhaps predatory aspects of seduction, in the overture, “Don Juan”. Strauss’s tone poem deals with this both with vigour and, ultimately, pathos as the eponymous protagonist meets his comeuppance.

By contrast, Strauss deals with another aspect of romanticism with the “Four Last Songs” in which he reflects on a life well lived, with a sense of calmness and acceptance as his music wraps the imagery of the lyrical poetry into achingly beautiful songs.

Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” symphony completes our trio of works for this concert. This symphony was allegedly inspired by Mendelssohn’s visit to the ruins of Holyrood Chapel, the location of coronation of Mary Queen of Scots, the stuff of romantic legend. The evocation of the wild, romantic landscapes of the northern British Isles is easy to hear in this work.