Festive harmonies

Gioachino Rossini: Semiramide – Overture

Carl Maria von Weber: Bassoon Concerto in F major, Op. 75

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Suite, Op. 71

Featuring: Ramóna Tóth – bassoon
Conductor: Vinicius Kattah

Gioachino Rossini: Semiramide – Overture

With the overture to Semiramide, Rossini does more than simply introduce the opera: the overture itself becomes the drama, albeit without voices or words. The work begins with a solemn passage played by four horns, then gradually builds towards its sweeping, energetic themes. Neither a stage nor singers are needed for us to sense its drama and anticipation. The melodies do not follow one another at random but are connected by a rigorous symphonic logic. The famous “Rossini crescendo” creates a dramatic climax in its own right.

Carl Maria von Weber: Bassoon Concerto in F major, Op. 75

One of the most frequently performed concertos in the bassoon repertoire, this composition was inspired by Georg Friedrich Brandt, the outstanding bassoonist of the Munich Court Orchestra. Weber was among the first composers to recognise the instrument’s full musical potential: moving beyond its traditionally humorous character, he also revealed its lyrical and deeply poetic side. The work presents the soloist with dazzling technical challenges while retaining the refined, theatrical atmosphere of early Romanticism throughout.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Suite, Op. 71

Tchaikovsky’s genius lies in combining a seemingly light-hearted fairy-tale world with symphonic writing of the highest order. The Nutcracker Suite is a masterclass in orchestration: from the unmistakable timbre of the celesta and the rich harmonies of the wind instruments to the sweeping architecture of the Waltz of the Flowers, every movement is a celebration of pure musical form and melodic invention.

Organised by: Szolnok Symphony Orchestra Nonprofit Ltd.

The concert is supported by the Hungarian Academy of Arts.