Trip to Italy

Journey through the landscapes of Italy and the depths of musical genius in *Trip to Italy*. This captivating concert film explores the transformative power of the Italian experience on some of history’s most celebrated composers. Experience Richard Strauss’s evocative “On the Beach of Sorrento” from *From Italy*, a symphonic fantasy brimming with impressionistic soundscapes that capture the essence of the Italian coastline – a "mood picture" weaving together natural sounds and personal reflections. Witness the brilliance of Erich Wolfgang Korngold, a titan of opera and Hollywood film scoring, through his poignant Cello Concerto, originally composed for the film *Deception*. Originally a score for a film, Korngold considered his work to be "dramatic symphonic music" or “operas without singing.” The program continues with Ottorino Respighi’s hauntingly beautiful "Adagio con Variazione," a rediscovered gem transformed into a complete cello concerto, and culminates in Felix Mendelssohn’s effervescent Symphony No. 4, “Italian.” From the irrepressible energy of the first movement to the elegant minuet of the third and the wild Neapolitan folk dance of the fourth, Mendelssohn’s symphony radiates joy—though a moving funeral march in the “Andante” serves as a poignant reminder of loss. Featuring the Bochumer Symphoniker orchestra, conducted by Tianyi Lu, and showcasing the virtuosity of cellist Christian Poltéra, *Trip to Italy* is a vibrant celebration of musical inspiration and the enduring allure of the Italian spirit.