Mendelssohn and Bruckner

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy's violin concerto ranks among the priceless masterpieces of classical music. He wrote it for his childhood friend and violin virtuoso Ferdinand David, and the result was extremely successful – for with its spiritual airiness and melodic beauty, the violin concerto is one of the most beloved works of all time.

Violinist Augustin Hadelich began performing concerts at the age of 8 but suffered serious burns in an accident at the age of 15. After two years and many surgeries, he was able to resume playing the violin and now performs worldwide with leading orchestras and conductors. "It is a delight to work with Hadelich, for there is a clarity in his playing and everything is so well thought out without losing spontaneity", says chief conductor Ryan Bancroft, who leads the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.

Anton Bruckner's extensive and grand symphonies never cease to amaze. According to Bruckner himself, the opening horn signal in the Fourth Symphony symbolizes the dawn after the night's rest. A captivating symphonic landscape emerges where the full range of the orchestra is used. This is Bruckner's most performed and beloved symphony, and it is also he who gave it the subtitle "The Romantic."

Read more about chief conductor Ryan Bancroft