Jörg Widmann conducts Beethoven and himself

Experience a captivating evening of orchestral brilliance with Jörg Widmann conducting the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra! This extraordinary concert film showcases Widmann’s own vibrant and virtuosic composition, *Con brio*, a dazzling overture written in 2008 as a spirited introduction to Beethoven's iconic Seventh Symphony. Widmann, one of today’s most celebrated living composers, masterfully evokes the energy and characteristic brilliance of Beethoven’s symphonic world without direct quotation, creating a truly unique and exhilarating listening experience. The program continues with a rediscovery of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s rarely heard *Symphonic Serenade*, a stunning work for string orchestra composed in 1947. Returning from America, Korngold’s music was initially considered an anomaly in post-war Austria, but this gorgeous serenade, brimming with rhythmic precision rivaling Beethoven's Seventh, deserves its place in the orchestral canon. A delightful surprise awaits: listen closely and you’ll recognize fleeting motifs drawn from Korngold’s film scores, *Anthony Adverse* and *Captain Blood*, woven into the lush tapestry of the serenade. Finally, immerse yourself in the sheer joy and dynamism of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, famously hailed by Richard Wagner as the "apotheosis of the dance." This concert film is a testament to enduring musical genius, a journey through innovation and tradition, and a celebration of orchestral splendor.