The Hallé – Schumann’s Spring Symphony at The Bridgewater Hall

Johnny James, Managing Editor
Kaupo Kikkas

The Hallé - Schumann's Spring Symphony at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre 1 July 2021 Tickets from £From £18.50 (Subs, concs and £5 student tickets also available) — Book now

2.15pm and 7pm

Tomáš Hanus, Welsh National Opera’s Music Director, conducts the Hallé in a vibrant programme of Schumann, Mendelssohn and Louise Farrenc.

Spring Symphony is the first completed symphonic work by the great German Romantic composer, Robert Schumann. During the 1830s he’d written exclusively for the piano, and his 1840 was spent writing a staggering quantity (168 to be exact) of lieder. By 1841, he felt ready to begin writing for orchestra. And what a beginning his First Symphony represents.

The symphony is quite literally a force of nature. Conjuring the transformative power of the natural world during the spring season, Schumann’s orchestral palette is rich and heavy with brass, and he uses it to paint luscious images of new life and possibility. The expressiveness of his melodies, refined during his year of lieder writing, is a standout feature of the symphony, which shines brightly in his catalogue.

It was Mendelssohn who conducted the premiere of Schumann’s First Symphony, and it’s Mendelssohn who appears alongside it in the programme tonight. This takes us from beginnings to ends, for Violin Concerto was Mendelssohn’s last large orchestral work. It’s also one of his best, remaining one of the most frequently performed of all violin concerti.

Its popularity was assured as soon as Mendelssohn plucked from the ether the opening bars, which, according to the German composer, constantly ran through his head and gave him no peace until he’d completed the work. Turbulent, lyrical and impassioned, it’s a scintillating live piece, which is in great hands with Chloë Hanslip.

Before all of that, we’ll hear the dynamic and lyrical Overture No.1 in E minor by the unjustly neglected French composer, Louise Farrenc. A close contemporary of Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, and admired by Schumann, during her lifetime Farrenc held an international reputation as a gifted composer, concert pianist and teacher; indeed she was the only female professor at the Paris Conservatoire during the whole of the 19th century.

Inspired by Viennese classicism, Farrenc’s commanding Overture marries dulcet woodwind melodies with muscular brass writing, while the strings are used as propellers, driving the melodic material on in spritely and exhilarating style. It’s an underappreciated work that will provide a dramatic start to this excellent programme at The Bridgewater Hall.

The Hallé - Schumann's Spring Symphony at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre 1 July 2021

Book Now

Performances

Date
Time
Session Features
1 July 2021
2:15pm — 3:30pm
1 July 2021
7:00pm — 8:15pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on: Music

Until
ActivityManchester
DJ Gym at Hatch

Learn some DJ and production skills with DJ Gym Manchester, based in the culturally infused surrounds of Hatch.

from £269
Until
MusicManchester
RNCM Summer Season 2023

Read our highlights from the RNCM Summer Season, from 50th anniversary celebrations to partnership events with MIF23 and Opera North.

MusicManchester
Roger Waters at AO Arena

Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters brings his This Is Not A Drill tour to Manchester’s AO Arena, performing both solo and Pink Floyd material.

from £98.50
MusicManchester
Darkside at New Century

Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington AKA Darkside bring their dreamy mélange of psychedelia, art rock and electronica to New Century.

from £31.42

Culture Guides

Exhibitions

There's no rest for the art lover - this month brings outdoor sculpture, musings on water, political drawings and Liverpool Biennial 2023!

Music

We look towards a summer filled with quality festivals, from cultural behemoths to grassroots gems.

Winnie the Pooh at Manchester Opera House
Families

The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

Classical Music

Summer's classical music calendar is filling up nicely! Read our top picks of concerts happening in Manchester and the North.

Gerry Potter (credit Lee Baxter)
Literature

Books are big this summer, with festival readings, poetry slams, creative writing activities and famous faces all putting in an appearance.

Food and Drink

All signs point toward June being a scorcher of a month, so let’s take a look at all things summery food and drink.

Tours and Activities

From literary activities to brilliant independent shops, keep your minds and homes filled with the good stuff this month.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre

Check out our updated guide for lively theatre festivals, rip-roaring rooftop circus and dreamy outdoor shows.