Although the name Otto Nicolai today is synonymous with the Romantic comic opera Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, what is less well known is that early in his career, the composer was chiefly interested in church music, making it no wonder that he based his rarely heard Christmas Overture, to be played tonight, on a chorale melody. Handel's Organ Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major is full of light and cheer, while the American Samuel Barber's famous Adagio for Strings, which was actually originally the middle movement of the composer's string quartet, brims with reverence. And Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which will comprise the second part of the concert? It, of course, is replete with joy, one might answer, as the finale of the work, which also employs soloists and a choir, sets Schiller's Ode to Joy to music - but this revolutionary, innovative work is also about desire for freedom and love. "Be embraced, the millions!" proclaims the text, making the Ninth a suitable piece for the celebration of love as well. Guaranteeing the high vocal standard of the symphony will be Klára Kolonits, Andrea Meláth, István Horváth and István Kovács, along with the Hungarian National Choir, while the organ playing of Ádám Tabajdi promises virtuosity and grace in the Handel concerto. Conducting the concert will be Henrik Nánási, former chief music director of Berlin's Komische Oper.

Presented by: Hungarian National Philharmonic