Elgar’s Cello Concerto was composed at the turn of the century, at a time when many already considered his musical lexicon outdated. The failure of the piece’s premiere almost put him off composing for good. He was never able to truly enjoy the success of the piece, which is now considered among the greatest masterpieces for the instrument. The flop that gave Rachmaninoff nightmares turned out to be his Symphony No. 1. A dozen years later, however, his Symphony No. 2 was composed at the peak of his powers. No matter how much critics condemned its soaring melodies, the work’s masterful construction and emotionally charged musicality beat an irresistible path to the hearts of audiences. The work’s resounding conclusion evoking the sound of bells seems to proclaim that there is a way out of even the deepest pit.

Presented by: Pannon Philharmonic