SEASON SERIES CONCERT 2: SIBLINGS AND SOUL MATES

Thursday 29.01.2026 at 6pm Kuopio Music Centre Concert Hall

At 5.30 Atrium
PRE-TALK

Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
Chloé Dufresne, conductor
Aleksey Semenenko, violin

Fanny Mendelssohn: Overture in C Major
Robert Schumann: Manfred Overture Op. 115
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64
Johannes Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn

“This concert traces the invisible threads that connect four (or maybe five) Romantic voices—Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms and the hidden Clara. We begin with Fanny’s bold orchestral overture setting the stage for Felix’s Violin Concerto in E minor, a youthful work full of lyrical intensity of early Romanticism. Followed by Robert Schumann’s dramatic Manfred Overture, a stormy and introspective piece inspired by Byron’s tormented hero. In this music, we hear not only Schumann’s own struggles but also the echoes of his deep artistic bond with Mendelssohn and the unwavering support of Clara Schumann, whose admiration for Manfred was both personal and profound. We conclude the evening with the Variations on a Theme by Haydn from their closest friend Johannes Brahms.”
Chloé Dufresne

For violinist Aleksey Semenenko, making his Kuopio debut, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor to be very special. ”Not only because it has innovative ideas, like the cadenza being placed in the middle of the first movement, and the three movements being played attacca. Nor just because Mendelssohn worked on the composition for about six years – in a letter, he wrote that the opening theme “gave him no peace”. But also because, in my personal view, it’s “Mozart plus”: it has the same lightness and transparency, but with a romantic depth and warmth. The beginning of the second movement reminds me of Schubert’s Ave Maria, and the beginning of the third of something by Rossini.”, says Semenenko.

Duration approx. 1 hour 30 minutes including interval.

The concert is included in the Season Series Ticket and Mini Series Ticket 2.

Produced by the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra

SEASON SERIES TICKET

Includes 8 Season Series concerts

Early Bird price 200 € / 160 € senior citizens
Available: 14.11. – 4.12.
Buy Season Series Ticket

Normal price 220 € / 179 € senior citizens
Available: 5.12. – 9.1.

MINI SERIES 2

Miniseries 2
Includes 4 Season Series concerts

Early Bird price 110 / 90 € senior citizens
Available: 14.11. – 4.12.
Buy Miniseries 2

Normal price 120 € / 95 € senior citizens
Available: 5.12. – 29.1.

Tickets: 34,60 € / 28,10 € senior citizens and groups min. 20 persons / 10,60 € children under the age of 16 and students