Here you can find almost anything about all the concerts Gothenburg Symphony has played over the years, both in the Concert Hall and on tour.
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Akademische Festouvertüre Op 80
At age 60, Brahms was widely considered the greatest living composer. He became an honorary citizen of the city of his birth, Hamburg, and was honored with a commemorative medal from the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. He was called to Cambridge to receive an honorary doctorate from the university, but Brahms was not keen on for these kinds of honors, so he declined. It was easier for him to accept a similar offer from the somewhat more anonymous Breslau, and as a thank you he wrote the Academic Festival Overture, based on famous German student songs. It all starts in mournful C minor and then follows the songs "Wir hatten gebaut ein stattliches Haus", "Landesvaters", "Fuchslieder" and finally (the well-known among students) "Gaudeamus igitur". Brahms has hardly been known as a jubilant composer, and nowhere in his output is one to find more exuberant C major tuning than in this overture's glittering final bars.
STIG JACOBSSON
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Akademische Festouvertüre Op 80
At age 60, Brahms was widely considered the greatest living composer. He became an honorary citizen of the city of his birth, Hamburg, and was honored with a commemorative medal from the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. He was called to Cambridge to receive an honorary doctorate from the university, but Brahms was not keen on for these kinds of honors, so he declined. It was easier for him to accept a similar offer from the somewhat more anonymous Breslau, and as a thank you he wrote the Academic Festival Overture, based on famous German student songs. It all starts in mournful C minor and then follows the songs "Wir hatten gebaut ein stattliches Haus", "Landesvaters", "Fuchslieder" and finally (the well-known among students) "Gaudeamus igitur". Brahms has hardly been known as a jubilant composer, and nowhere in his output is one to find more exuberant C major tuning than in this overture's glittering final bars.
STIG JACOBSSON
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Orkesterkommentar:
Till Göteborgs Symfonikers stora projekt hör framförandet av Liszts samtliga symfoniska dikter. Minns ni det? Idén kom från förre intendenten Sven Kruckenberg som med iver och envishet såg till att Liszts 13 tondikter och två symfonier framfördes i Göteborgs Konserthus. Projektet påbörjades med Dantesymfonin den 17 oktober 1968 under Norman Del Mars ledning och avslutades med Heroïde funèbre den 28 oktober 1977 med Peter Maag som dirigent. Ett riktigt maratonlopp! Reaktionerna var blandade men den följande diskussionen livlig och uppfriskande. Sven Kruckenberg minns själv: ”En stor del av orkestern förstod sig inte på Liszt, men många i publiken tog emot honom med intresse. ”Synen på Liszts musik har i mångt och mycket förändrats sedan dess vilket Jan Ling bland annat tar upp i sin intressanta bok Franz Liszt och 1800-talets konstmusik (Gidlunds, 2009).
Franz Liszt är tveklöst en av senromantikens stora förgrundsfigurer. Han mer eller mindre uppfann den symfoniska dikten som enligt ordboken är en ”orkesterkomposition i fri form och symfonisk stil med utpräglat programmatiskt innehåll, vanligtvis ensatsig”. Les préludes betecknas i Liszts verkförteckning också som Symfonisk dikt nr 3. Pluralformen Les préludes är något förbryllande. Liszt skrev och framförde verket första gången 1848 som preludium till sitt stora kör- och orkesterverk De fyra elementen. När stycket reviderats och första gången spelades i sin nya form i Weimar 1854 lade Liszt till raden ”Efter Lamartine” på titelbladet. Där syftar han på en dikt av den franske lyrikern Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869) som ingår i samlingen Méditations poétiques från 1820. Titelns pluralform får sin förklaring i Lamartines rader: ”Vad annat är vårt liv än en följd av preludier till den okända sång, vars högtidliga begynnelsetoner stäms upp av döden? Kärleken är varje tillvaros strålande morgonrodnad. Men vilket livsöde finns, vars första ljuva lycka inte brutits av något oväder, som med sin dödande stormvind krossat dess illusioner och med sin olycksbringande blixt splittrat dess altare?”
Les préludes är typisk för den eklektiske Liszt. Här finns arvet från den preussiska militärmusiken (som även är tongivande hos Liszts förebild Beethoven) och romantikens ljuva klanger i skön förening med den typ av tematisk bearbetning (metamorfosteknik) och kromatisk äventyrlighet som Wagner skulle dra till sin spets. Liszt var för övrigt en stor inspirationskälla för Wagner som sedermera blev Liszts svärson. Les préludes fick ny aktualitet i 1940-talets Tyskland när Hitler valde stycket som signaturmusik till journalfilmer från nazisternas krigståg i Europa. Det kan Liszts musik inte lastas för men det säger oss något om dess attraktionskraft och karaktär med rötter som sträcker sig långt ner i det tyska kejsardömets psyke och historia.
Stefan Nävermyr
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849)
Piano Concerto No. 1
Allegro maestoso
Romanze - Largetto
Rondo – Vivace
Chopin's piano concerto in E minor was published in 1833, and "the second" in F minor in 1836 (although he had already composed it at age 19). Both reflect his fondness for Bellini's operas, especially Norma, whose ornaments he adapted and personified. The main theme is introduced by the orchestra at considerable length, adding to the tension. Once the piano enters, glowing lyrical ornaments follow. Chopin was sometimes criticized for focusing more on the strength of the piano than on the qualities of the orchestra, but this probably contributed to his success with audiences.
The second movement is slow and caressing. Chopin wrote under the composition: "I am using muted strings - I wonder how they will sound?" He described the largetto as having "a romantic, calm and rather melancholic character ... a kind of moonlight dream on a beautiful spring night." The main theme of the rondo in E major has been likened to a polka or krakowiac (also a dance). Chopin modulates to A major, and before the refreshing final clip, he moves into E flat, then B flat in the section's return.
The Piano Concerto in E minor was first performed in Warsaw in 1830 with Chopin as soloist, shortly before he left his homeland for Paris and never returned.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
At the very first performance of the German composer Max Bruch’s final version in 1868, the audience embraced the work at once. Bruch’s thoughtful approach to instrumentation allows both soloist and orchestra to shine – their interplay flows with melodic richness and expressive warmth.
Like Felix Mendelssohn, Max Bruch was a musical prodigy. He wrote his first symphony and a string quartet at the age of fourteen. Yet it must have been a strange fate for a composer whose works were widely performed and admired to be celebrated, for the rest of his long life, almost exclusively for a single piece: the Violin Concerto in G minor. The world’s great violinists adored it, the public adored it, but Bruch eventually grew weary of players who wanted to perform only that concerto. Unfortunately, he had sold the rights to his publisher early on, meaning he received no income from the immense number of performances during his lifetime.
Bruch described the first movement as a prelude – a long one – which leads almost imperceptibly into the second movement. Like Mendelssohn, he lets the soloist enter swiftly rather than opening with the full orchestra. Here, inspired melodies unfold in dialogue with the orchestra, interrupted by two brief solo cadenzas. The violin begins the adagio with a nostalgic, heartfelt line, later followed by brilliant solo writing that avoids any hint of undue sentimentality. A short pause leads into an energetic allegro, where a Hungarian-inspired dance takes command, complete with virtuosic solo passages and a romantic theme that captivates and seduces.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Hector Berlioz (1803–1869)
Le carnaval romain (Roman Carnival)
Hector Berlioz's stylish concert overture Le carnaval romain delighted contemporary audiences. Berlioz was certainly known as an innovative skyrocketer, but here he had achieved something lively and captivating that made the audience ecstatic. After the premiere, another performance was soon forced. Le carnaval romain was written in 1844 and is not an overture that begins an opera, but a standalone piece, very well suited to begin an orchestral concert.
But there is actually a connection to opera: as early as 1837, Berlioz had composed his first opera, the one about the goldsmith and adventurer Benvenuto Cellini, who was active in 16th-century Florence, and when the opera was reworked from two to three acts in the mid-1840s, Berlioz included his Le carnaval romain to illustrate the great carnival scene in the second act, with its roaring frenzy and lively tarantella rhythms. This operation was not done at random, because the first melody heard in Le carnaval romain (played by English horn) is actually borrowed from the opera.
To this particular melody, Benvenuto sings to his beloved how he intends to abduct her during this very carnival. The music certainly aroused some wonder when Berlioz used irregular and restless melody lines, but in doing so he avoided all risk of banal intonations, while at the same time seizing the listener.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Richard Strauss’s symphonic poem Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche is one of the great masterpieces of the orchestral repertoire. Until this point the composer had been known as a scholarly and rather serious young master, but after the premiere of Till in Cologne on 5 November 1895, it became clear that he also possessed a sparkling sense of humour.
Formally the work resembles a rondo, inviting us to follow the various escapades of the title character. Till Eulenspiegel, a famous trickster who had appeared in literature since the Middle Ages, is introduced in unmistakably fairy-tale fashion: the violins begin the piece with a dreamy phrase that seems to sing, “Once upon a time...”.
We then encounter Till as an itinerant preacher, see him fall in love, watch as he is brought to trial and sentenced to death, and finally witness his hanging. No name was inscribed on his gravestone, but an image of an owl and a mirror got to illustrate an old proverb: “Man sees his own faults as little as an owl recognizes his ugliness in looking into a mirror.” Hence the name Eulenspiegel (The Owl’s Mirror).
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
Participants
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 4 Op 60
The Fourth Symphony is, as often said, situated between two symphonic giants. A reputation that has often led to its being overlooked, but in fact it follows a working method that is more the rule than the exception in Beethoven. The revolutionary works are often followed by music that seems to take care of what follows the storm. And this year, 1806 – we are in perhaps the most insanely productive of Beethoven’s life – is no exception.
The symphony begins with a tender entry followed by a plateau of unison Bb in strings and winds that is shadowily surrounded by slow melodic movements. The music grows suggestively from a melancholy to a euphoria – from minor to major – when the allegro breaks through in all its splendor.
After the first movement's alternating shift between intense outbursts and calm breaths, one of Beethoven's most lyrical adagios follows, where the repetitive rhythm (you hear it immediately in the verse) makes the movement dance forward stubbornly.
In the third and fourth movements, a scherzo and an allegro, the music rushes forward. For those who have already noticed how the form of the adagio rhythm is a variation of the first movement's syncopated outbursts, here, in the more dance-like parts of the symphony, you can notice how Beethoven turns the building blocks of the music inside and outside, but at the same time joins them together. In this way, he lets us anticipate the revolution that the symphony's form is facing. Fate will soon be knocking on the door.
The Gothenburg Symphony was formed in 1905 and today consists of 109 musicians. The orchestra's base is Gothenburg Concert Hall at Götaplatsen that has gathered music lovers since 1935. Since the 2019-2020 season, Barbara Hannigan is Principal guest conductor. We are also a proud partner of Barbara Hannigan's Equilibrium mentoring program focusing on young singers at the start of their careers. The title Principal Guest Conductor is shared by Pekka Kuusisto from 2025.
Wilhelm Stenhammar was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1907 to 1922. He gave the orchestra a strong Nordic profile and invited colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to the orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Neeme Järvi from 1982-2004, the orchestra made a series of international tours as well as a hundred disc recordings and established themselves among Europe's leading orchestras. In 1996, the Swedish Riksdag appointed the Gothenburg Symphony as Sweden's National Orchestra.
In recent decades, the orchestra has had prominent chief conductors such as Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Mario Venzago and Gustavo Dudamel, following Kent Nagano as Principal Guest conductor. Anna-Karin Larsson is CEO and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel honorary conductor and Neeme Järvi chief conductor emeritus. The orchestra's owner is the Västra Götaland Region.
The Gothenburg Symphony works regularly with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Joana Carneiro, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Christian Zacharias and Anja Bihlmaier.