Opening Night: Strauss & Schumann

Delius: Prelude to Irmelin

Schumann: Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in A minor, Op. 29

I. Nicht zu schnell
II. Langsam
III. Sehr lebhaft

     Andrei Ioniță, cello

Strauss: Ein Helbenlainben

I. Der Held (The Hero)
II. Des Helden Widersacher (The Hero’s Adversaries)
III. Des Helden Gefährtin (The Hero’s Companion)
IIII. Des Helden Walstatt (The Hero at Battle)
V. Des Helden Friedenswerke (The Hero’s Works of Peace)
VI. Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung (The Hero’s Retirement from the World and Completion)

The performance is approximately 110 minutes including a 20-minute intermission

Fun Facts About The Concert

• Andrei Ioniță, born in 1994, became the Gold Medal-winner at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition and made his U.S. debut in 2017 with recitals in Chicago and Washington, D.C., and gave his New York debut recital in Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. https://youtu.be/fRvbcm_K6fU?si=pR9iI889zwyONtOy
• Robert Schumann’s family wanted him to pursue law, but he secretly studied music, eventually becoming a renowned composer and music critic.
• Strauss remained in Austria through World War II and held a music post in the German government, but he was later cleared of wrongdoing in connection with the Nazi regime.
• Strauss remained in Austria through World War II and held a music post in the German government, but he was later cleared of wrongdoing in connection with the Nazi regime. Strauss was removed from his position in 1935 because of his collaboration with Jewish librettist Stefan Zweig on the opera “Die Schweigsame Frau”.

Overview

A celebration of musical brilliance sets the stage for our 64th season with this opening night performance, highlighting innovation, emotion, and heroism.

The evening begins with the serene beauty of Delius’ “Irmelin Prelude.” This masterful orchestral miniature, derived from themes in Delius’ first opera, captivates with its warm, English soundscape. Premiering two decades after Delius’ death, it showcases his innovative spirit with a harmonious blend of woodwinds, harp, and strings, enchanting audiences worldwide.

Next, delve into the emotional depth of Schumann’s “Cello Concerto” featuring the exceptional Andrei Ioniță, Gold Medalist of the 2015 XV International Tchaikovsky Competition. Schumann composed this concerto in just two weeks in 1850 during Schumann’s early days in Düsseldorf, it became a cornerstone of the cello repertoire despite going unperformed in his lifetime. Known for its poetic expression and intricate textures, its brooding A minor tonality contrasts with Schumann’s playful description as a “jolly piece.” Ioniță, known for his artistry and technical brilliance, breathe new life into this once-overlooked masterpiece.

The evening reaches a heightened crescendo with Richard Strauss’ formidable tone poem “Ein Heldenleben.” Composed in 1898, this work pushes orchestral boundaries with its grand demands and heroic themes. Inspired by Beethoven’s Eroica, Strauss crafted a piece rich with horns to express heroism during his stay at a Bavarian mountain resort. Premiering in 1899, it reflects a broad ideal of heroism, dedicated to Willem Mengelberg and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. This towering challenge for orchestras worldwide promises an electrifying finale, showcasing exceptional skill and endurance.

Program Details

FREDERICK DELIUS (1862-1934)

Experience the soundscape of Delius’ Irmelin Prelude, a shining example of his innovative spirit and timeless charm. Step into the enchanting world Delius’ first opera, composed between 1890 and 1892. Premiering on May 4, 1953, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the opera debuted almost two decades after Delius’ death. In 1931, he crafted the Irmelin Prelude, distilling themes from the opera into an evocative orchestral miniature that is now celebrated in concert halls worldwide.

Beginning with a captivating woodwind call and response, the strings provide suspended harmonies that immediately draw listeners into Delius’ distinct, warm English sound. The clarinet and woodwind textures evolve richly, accompanied by the sparkle of the harp and the depth of the lower strings. This serene and consistent musical landscape intricately weaves themes from the opera.

Delius expertly fuses rich, sonorous textures with open harmonies, crafting a piece that stands apart from typical classical overtures. The prelude gently concludes as it began, with instruments gradually fading into a quiet resolution. 

ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810-1856)

Step into the captivating world of Schumann’s Cello Concerto, a masterpiece celebrated only posthumously. This intriguing piece, crafted during Schumann’s early days in Düsseldorf, emerged in a spontaneous burst of creativity over just two weeks in October 1850. Remarkably, Schumann composed it without a particular cellist in mind, driven by his belief that “there are so few works for this lovely instrument.”

Published with piano accompaniment in 1854, the concerto was one of Schumann’s final projects before his tragic decline. Yet, it was never performed in public during his lifetime. Schumann foresaw its potential when he wrote, “Since there is a great dearth of such works, the cello concerto is something which will perhaps be welcomed by many.” Although initially overlooked, this work eventually became a staple of the cello repertoire, revealing itself as a once-lost masterpiece.

The concerto’s late recognition was likely due to Schumann’s preference for poetic expression over virtuosic display, contrasting with the era’s norms. Despite its technical demands, the composition resonates with emotional depth and timeless charm.

While Schumann described it as “quite a jolly piece,” its brooding A minor tonality might suggest otherwise. This characterization was perhaps a savvy marketing move to appeal to cautious publishers. The work begins with three evocative woodwind chords, echoing Mendelssohn’s enchanting introduction to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Bringing this concerto to life is Andrei Ioniță, a cellist of extraordinary caliber. The Gold Medalist of the 2015 XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, Ioniță is revered as one of the most exciting cellists of his generation. Celebrated for his passionate artistry and technical brilliance, he made his United States debut in 2017 and has graced stages like Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall with powerful, heartfelt performances.

RICHARD STRAUSS (1810-1856)

Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life), Op. 40, is a formidable tone poem that pushes the boundaries of orchestral performance. Completed in 1898, it represents Strauss’ eighth venture into the genre, surpassing all predecessors in its sheer orchestral demands.

Strauss began composing this ambitious piece in July 1898, while staying at a picturesque Bavarian mountain resort. He envisioned creating a heroic work akin to Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony: “It is entitled ‘A Hero’s Life’, and while it has no funeral march, it does have lots of horns, horns being quite the thing to express heroism.” He noted that the invigorating country air was aiding his progress, hoping to complete the work by the new year.

In 1898, Strauss simultaneously worked on Ein Heldenleben and another tone poem, Don Quixote, viewing them as complementary “direct pendants” to one another. Before its premiere, speculation abounded regarding the identity of the hero within the work. Strauss himself was coy, stating, “I’m no hero: I’m not made for battle,” and clarified in program notes that the piece embodies “not a single poetical or historical figure, but rather a more general and free ideal of great and manly heroism.”

Dedicated to the young Willem Mengelberg and the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Ein Heldenleben premiered on March 3, 1899, in Frankfurt, led by Strauss himself with the Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester. The work made its American debut a year later with the Chicago Symphony under Theodore Thomas.

The piece remains a towering challenge for orchestras worldwide, demanding exceptional skill and endurance from its performers.

Guest Artist

ANDREI IONIȚĂ | CELLO

The Gold Medal-winner at the 2015 XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, Andrei Ioniță is one of the most admired cellists of his generation, called “one of the most exciting cellists to have emerged for a decade,” by The Times of London. A versatile musician focused on giving gripping, deeply felt performances, Andrei has been recognized for his passionate musicianship and technical finesse. His debut album on Orchid Classics combined a Brett Dean world-premiere with Bach and Kodály, prompting Gramophone to declare him “a cellist of superb skill, musical imagination and a commitment to music of our time.”

Andrei made his U.S. debut in 2017 with recitals in Chicago and Washington, D.C., and gave his New York debut recital in Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. Previous season highlights include performances with the Chicago Symphony, Gewandhaus Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Münchner Philharmoniker, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, BBC Philharmonic, Danish National Symphony, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He has worked with famous conductors including Herbert Blomstedt, Cristian Macelaru, Sylvain Cambreling, Kent Nagano, Omer Meir Wellber, John Storgårds, Joanna Mallwitz, and Ruth Reinhardt. He has given recitals at Konzerthaus Berlin, Elbphilharmonie, Zurich Tonhalle, LAC Lugano, and L’ Auditori in Barcelona, as well as at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, Verbier, and Martha Argerich Festivals. Andrei Ioniță’s exceptional talent makes him a versatile and sought-after performer of chamber music. In his concerts, he joins forces with Martha Argerich, Christian Tetzlaff, Sergei Babayan, and Steven Isserlis, among others.

Highlights of Andrei’s 2024-25 season include performances with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Geoffrey Robson, the St. Louis Symphony under the direction of Ruth Reinhart, and a collaborative trio performance with William Hagen and Anton Nel with Chamber Music in Oklahoma.

Prior to winning the Tchaikovsky Competition, Andrei won First Prize at the Khachaturian International Competition in June 2013, and Second Prize and the Special Prize for his interpretation of a commissioned composition at the International ARD Music Competition. In 2014, he received Second Prize at the Grand Prix Emanuel Feuermann in Berlin. He was a BBC New Generation Artist from 2016-18 and was the Symphoniker Hamburg’s artist-in-residence for the 2019-20 season.

Born in Bucharest, Romania in 1994, Andrei Ioniță first became a student of Ani-Marie Paladi and later of Prof. Jens Peter Maintz at the University of the Arts (UdK) in Berlin. Andrei performs on a cello made by Filippo Fasser from Brescia.