Kent Nagano grew up in small town USA, far from big cities and concert halls. Despite this – and perhaps precisely because of this – music played an important role in his life from an early age: “We played music in the house all the time, so it was a way that a family became close together; and we were very much involved in the church, so there was a lot of music in there too. My sister and brother and I grew up in the children’s chorus in the church.”
Though born a Jew but a loyal Protestant convert, Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) wanted to compose a symphony as his contribution to the celebrations in honour of the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession in 1830. Progress was, however, slow and by the time he had finished it, the summer’s German concert series were full. He therefore offered it to Habeneck’s orchestra in Paris, but while the conductor liked it, the players complained it did not have enough tunes. Even after it had finally been premiered in Berlin in 1832, Mendelssohn himself began to look upon it as worthless, and it was not performed again until after his death. At the premiere, it bore the dramatic subtitle “Symphony to Celebrate the Church Revolution”. The title by which it is known today, the Reformation Symphony, was the publisher’s idea.
The devout first movement begins with an Andante featuring the Dresden Amen motif, and the finale incorporates Luther’s famous chorale Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God).
Yes, but only before or after the concert. During the concert we just want you to enjoy the music. This way you won’t disturb the musicians or other audience members.
Only the orchestra has a dress code. You can dress as you like.
You can give the ticket to a friend or donate it to a music student by calling 09-3102 2700 or sending an e-mail to helsinki.philharmonic@hel.fi by 3pm on the day of the concert.
