Work of the Week - Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Symphony in One Movement
Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s immense, emotionally moving Symphony in One Movement by is performed three times this week by the Berlin Philharmonic under the musical direction of Sir Simon Rattle. The performance of Zimmermann’s Symphony is part of a series of his works performed by the Berlin Philharmonic, which began in January 2009. At the end of February they will also perform the Brazilian dances, Alagoana, and the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. The monumental Requiem für einen jungen Dichter, sung by four radio choruses, will complete the series in April 2009.
There is no proof when Zimmermann began work on this symphony; probably he had done initial proposals and concepts already in 1947. He finalized the work in 1951-52, when he got a commission from the Westdeutscher Rundfunk (West German Radio). At that time he was working at the musicological institute of the University of Köln
The Symphony in One Movement is not simply a traditional symphony, which is merely played without intermissions: on the contrary, there is only one developing musical there, which gets modified in multifaceted ways. Bit by bit detached musical ideas emerge from the very interweaved beginning. The world premiere of this second, now only relevant version of the Symphony in One Movement, had its world premiere in Brussels by the end of the year 1953.
You have the chance to attend the concert on 13 February and become a part of this event - no matter where you are! The Berlin Philharmonic has recently launched the "Digital Concert Hall" which enables people all over the world to access the concerts on the internet. Alongside the Zimmermann work you will see and hear three works by Robert Schumann: The Concert Piece for four horns and orchestra, the Pinao Concerto and the 4th Symphony. For information on this brand new and revolutionaly service see the website of the Berlin Philharmonic and watch this video:
(02/09/2009)
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