‘This is what nourishes the soul’ – The Times on Steven Isserlis
Starting this Autumn, we’re delighted to welcome back The Manchester Chamber Concerts Society.
The new season of classical and chamber concerts begins with an incredible performance from one of the world’s most renowned cellists Steven Isserlis. He will be joined by the Scottish pianist Alasdair Beatson.
Acclaimed worldwide for his profound musicianship and technical mastery, British cellist Steven Isserlis enjoys a unique and distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, author and broadcaster.
The relationship of Mendelssohn and Schumann is fascinating. Mendelssohn employed Schumann as a teacher at his newly-formed conservatoire in Leipzig and conducted the premieres of Schumann’s first two symphonies. Schumann, for his part, looked up to the far more successful Mendelssohn, describing him as ‘a real God’. Musically, too, they make an endlessly intriguing pair, the contrast between them vividly illustrated by the sonatas in this programme: Schumann’s futuristic, tempestuous late violin sonata is in total contrast to Mendelssohn’s joyous masterpiece, representing the epitome of classical romanticism.
Their recital concludes with well-loved shorter pieces by Moscheles and Brahms.