Beethoven's 7th Symphony with Fabio Biondi

 Tivoli Copenhagen Phil
Conductor and soloist: Fabio Biondi

Baroque maestro Fabio Biondi takes on the dual role of soloist and conductor in a program designed for those who appreciate impeccable intonation and crystalline harmonies. 
 
In 1783, Mozart and his wife Constanze were returning to Vienna after an ill-fated visit to his stern and overbearing father in Salzburg. Hoping to mend their strained relationship and prove the merit of their “irresponsible and hasty union,” Mozart’s charm offensive failed spectacularly. During a stop in Linz, he was astonished to find a symphony concert featuring his work already advertised—scheduled for just four days later. Without any scores on hand, Mozart composed the now-famous “Linz” Symphony in record time. The persistent rhythmic motifs in the first movement, the exotic, Eastern-inspired character of the woodwinds’ colourful phrases, and the fiery torrents of notes in the finale reveal clear influences from Mozart’s opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail. Yet, it remains awe-inspiring that Mozart could create a symphony of such brilliance under such pressure. 
 
Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 also draws inspiration from opera, specifically Il re pastore, which premiered in 1775—the same year Mozart, at just 19 years old, composed all five of his violin concertos before moving on to other genres. The concerto’s second movement is particularly striking, with its delicate accompaniment of muted strings providing a luminous backdrop for Biondi’s radiant violin tone, which will dazzle as it leads to the breathtakingly beautiful solo cadenza. 
 
After the intermission, Beethoven’s enigmatic Symphony No. 7 takes centre stage, with each movement delving into its own unique rhythmic identity. Beethoven’s almost obsessive exploration of rhythm imbues the symphony with a dynamic energy that feels surprisingly modern, evoking the driving pulse of folk music, rock, or even house music. The Allegretto movement, in particular, captivated audiences at its 1813 premiere so profoundly that it was encored before the performance could continue. Hauntingly beautiful and deeply expressive, this movement remains one of Beethoven’s most beloved and enduring masterpieces.