Pintscher & Brahms

“The universe was, is, and will forever be an eternally living fire that burns and dies out in a constant rhythm.” Not only Heraclitus, but Matthias Pintscher, too, is fascinated by fire. His work “NUR”—Hebrew for “fire”—vividly depicts the life cycle of a flame: from the calm glow of a candle through a raging inferno to dying embers. The piano and ensemble complement each other with their contrasting timbres and seem to merge completely through their chamber-music-like artistry. This is also essential in the final symphony by Johannes Brahms, who was often accused during his lifetime of writing symphonies that were merely glorified chamber music. He was also said to lack imagination, as his melodies and themes often seemed to arise spontaneously from brief ideas. Yet this is precisely where his great strength lies: in making densely orchestrated symphonic works sound like chamber music and in unfolding an entire work from short, unassuming motifs. A passionately fiery program featuring Matthias Pintscher in the dual role of composer and conductor.

Program:
Matthias Pintscher – “NUR” for piano and chamber orchestra
– Intermission –
Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 4 in E-flat minor, Op. 98

Performers:
Musikkollegium Winterthur
Matthias Pintscher - Conductor
Conrad Tao - Piano