The Drama of Brahms & Schumann: Saturday, August 9
Conductor: Maestro Rune Bergmann
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel: Overture in C
Robert Schumann: Concerto for Cello, Op. 129 with cello soloist Luka Coetzee
Brahms: Symphony No. 4, Op. 98
Experience the emotional depth and passionate intensity of 19th-century German Romanticism as the Peninsula Music Festival presents “The Drama of Brahms & Schumann”. Featuring internationally acclaimed cellist Luka Coetzee, this emotionally charged program brings together the luminous brilliance of Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, the poetic depth of Robert Schumann, and the raw power of Johannes Brahms. Led by Maestro Rune Bergmann and with Coetzee’s mesmerizing artistry, this evening will showcase the rich musical dialogue between two of history’s most influential composers while opening with a brilliant work by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel.
The concert begins with Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s Overture in C, a work of remarkable energy and spirit. Opening with a distant horn call, the piece quickly surges forward with lively rhythms and interwoven melodies, showcasing Mendelssohn’s extraordinary compositional voice. Discover the vibrant musical voice of a woman who defied the conventions of her time to create works of genuine inspiration.
The heart of the program showcases the extraordinary talent of 21-year-old Canadian cellist Luka Coetzee performing Robert Schumann’s profoundly expressive Concerto for Cello. Since her professional debut at age 11, Coetzee has appeared as a soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Helsinki Philharmonic and Cape Town Philharmonic. Her extraordinary journey began at just one year old with her first cello lesson, and she has since earned numerous prestigious awards including First Prize at the 7th International Paulo Cello Competition in 2023. Coetzee plays a magnificent 1763 Ferdinando Gagliano cello and currently studies at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar.
Described by Fanfare Magazine as “tonally, technically, and musically superb” with “phenomenal musicianship [that] should on no account be missed,” Coetzee will bring remarkable depth to the expressive Concerto for Cello, a beloved masterpiece. With breathtaking lyricism and an intimate dialogue between soloist and orchestra, this concerto is a poetic and deeply personal masterpiece. Clara Schumann herself described it as “wholly ravishing”—and under Coetzee’s bow, it will be nothing short of mesmerizing.
The evening culminates with Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, one of the most powerful and dramatic symphonies ever written. Opening with hauntingly lyrical lines, the symphony builds through moments of urgency, longing, and triumph, ending in a fervent, commanding finale. Passionate, profound, and deeply moving, this masterpiece is an unmissable conclusion to an extraordinary evening.
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to experience these dramatic works while witnessing the remarkable talent of one of the most exciting young cellists on the international stage today. With virtuosic brilliance, sweeping melodies, and raw emotional power, The Drama of Brahms & Schumann is a must-see event!
