The year 1938

Experience a powerful journey through a turbulent era with “The Year 1938,” a captivating concert film featuring the Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra. Conducted by Thomas Guggeis and showcasing the virtuosity of violinist Elias David Moncado, this program explores the profound impact of a year on the brink of war, reflected in the music of three brilliant composers. The film opens with Elsa Barraine’s Symphony No. 2, a haunting work commissioned by the French Ministry of Culture and tragically titled with the Russian word for "war." Written against a backdrop of escalating political tensions—the Anschluss of Austria and the looming threat of conflict—Barraine's symphony foreshadows the darkness to come, moving from a visceral depiction of war to a mournful funeral march, ultimately culminating in a fragile, hopeful return to life. Following this, immerse yourself in Dmitri Shostakovich’s iconic Fifth Symphony, composed amidst the Great Stalinist Terror. Faced with devastating criticism and fearing for his life, Shostakovich sought redemption with this work, which was initially hailed as a patriotic "response to justified criticism." However, the composer later revealed a profound truth: the celebratory finale was a carefully constructed facade, masking a deeper sense of despair. Finally, witness the brilliance of Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who observed the unfolding events from Hollywood and chose to dedicate himself to composing film scores. Motifs from his beloved soundtracks for *Another Dawn*, *Anthony Adverse*, and *The Prince and the Pauper* form the vibrant heart of his soaring Violin Concerto, a mesmerizing blend of Hollywood glamour and German-Austrian Romanticism. “The Year 1938” is more than a concert film; it's a poignant reflection on a pivotal moment in history, brought to life through unforgettable music.