Inspired by…

Inspiration is the spark that drives an artist to create something unique and expressive.
These variations were very likely written after Beethoven had attended rehearsals of Handel's oratorio in Berlin. They are imbued with Beethoven's characteristic strength and humour. 

Martinů was inspired by a theme from Rossini’s opera Moses in Egypte and wrote these variations for the famous virtuoso cellist Piatigorsky. Schumann was strongly disapproved of as a possible son-in-law by Papa Wieck and left for Vienna in 1838. Geographically, but not emotionally detached from Clara Wieck, he communicated with her through letters and through his own music, including the Arabesque. Arabesque.

Malinconia was written by Sibelius as a cry from the heart after his daughter Kirsti died in a typhus epidemic. Dvořák's Songs My Mother Taught Me is full of nostalgia; the longing for lost loved ones, but also for a lost homeland. And Grieg, strongly influenced by the wooded nature of Scandinavia and the Norse myths and legends, takes us into a fairytale-like mystical world of enchanted forests, but one full of gnomes and witches.

A few seasons ago, Rafael made a huge impression in his debut appearance in the series. It is therefore no surprise that Pamela asked him back, and this time to give a recital together.