Polyptique

Interpreters

Thomas Zehetmair . Director & Violin
Stuttgarter Kammerorchester

Programme

Franz Schubert
Quartet movement in C minor

Frank Martin
Polyptique – Concerto for violin and two small string orchestras

Béla Bartók
Music for string instruments, percussion and celesta

This programme unfolds like a multi-part picture in bold, surprising colour combinations. Principal conductor Thomas Zehetmair leaves the beaten track and presents three favourite pieces.

Schubert’s Quartet Movement is an “island” framed by four years of quartet hiatus. We do not know why he left the piece unfinished. But since its late discovery by Brahms in 1867, it has been considered a jewel of chamber music. Another gem is Frank Martin’s “Polyptique”, inspired by a multi-part painting from Siena. Martin set six Passion scenes to music with a noticeable influence from Johann Sebastian Bach, especially his St Matthew Passion. In his music for string instruments, Béla Bartók balances archaic dance rhythms with the highest art of motivic processing. After one of the most beautiful beginnings in music history, the concentrated energy is unleashed.