HARKOTTEN | GERMANY

Location: Herrenhaus Harkotten von Korff

Admission is free; however, we greatly appreciate a generous donation to the Romberg Festival Association after the concert.

Please register in advance via email.

More about Event: here

Performers: Julia Smirnova – Violin, Vadim Tchijk – Violin, Miguel Erlich – Viola, Konstantin Manaev – Cello

Program

Bernhard Romberg (1767–1841) & Andreas Romberg (1767–1821)

String Quartet No. 2, Op. 1

I. AllegroII. Minuetto

III. Andante Scherzando

IV. Finale, con allegresse

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Duo No. 1 for Bassoon and Clarinet, WoO27

(Arranged for Violin and Cello)

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)

String Quartet in C Major, Hob. III:77 “Kaiserquartett”

Poco Adagio. Cantabile – Var. I–IV

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)

Four Miniatures, Op. 75 for Two Violins and Viola

I. Cavatina, moderato

II. Capriccio, poco allegro

III. Romance, allegro

IV. Elegy, larghetto

Georg Friedrich Händel (1685–1759) / Johan Halvorsen (1864–1935)

Passacaglia

(Arranged for Violin and Cello)

Georg Friedrich Händel (1685–1759)

“Hallelujah” from Messiah, 1741

(Arranged for String Quartet)

At the heart of this festive Christmas concert lies Bernhard Romberg’s String Quartet No. 2, Op. 1, one of the first three quartets he dedicated to the great maestro Joseph Haydn. Together with his cousin Andreas Romberg, Bernhard toured Europe, which led him to Austria, where he met Haydn and presented him with his Op. 1 quartets.

"To Joseph Haydn: Presenting this work to the renowned artist, whose scholarly compositions inspire admiration across Europe, is a tribute to his sublime talents. If the Orpheus of the Danube views my efforts favorably and accepts this humble attempt, it would be the sweetest satisfaction my heart could experience.Bernhard Romberg"

The famous movement from Joseph Haydn’s Kaiserquartett is presented as a gem of quartet literature, adding a unique touch to the festive program.

The concert also features a piece by Romberg’s friend and chamber music partner from their Bonn days, Ludwig van Beethoven. His Duo No. 1 for Bassoon and Clarinet, WoO27 will be performed in a special arrangement for violin and cello.

Adding to the Christmas spirit are Handel’s “Hallelujah” and “Passacaglia”, as well as Antonín Dvořák’s rarely performed Four Miniatures, Op. 75, for two violins and viola. These pieces round off the program and create a contemplative atmosphere, immersing the audience in joyful anticipation of the holiday season.