Ars Musica Orchestra - 'The banned Felix

Ars Musica Orchestra led by conductor Patrick van der Linden devotes 7 years to the versatile Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. One concert each year. The 2025 concert is dedicated to the period 1933-1945, when his music was banned in Nazi Germany. We will hear a musical ode to Freedom!

Programme notes

Since 2022, Ars Musica has presented an annual concert around the life and work of Felix Mendelssohn. This fourth programme focuses on the period 1933-1945, when his music was banned in Nazi Germany. Although Mendelssohn was Protestant, he was considered "degenerate" to the regime because of his Jewish origins. His music was banned - partly under the influence of Richard Wagner, whose anti-Semitic views were later eagerly adopted.

The forbidden Felix

In this commemorative year, this programme links Mendelssohn with Entartete Musik: music banned by the Nazi regime because of its 'degenerate' nature. In addition to works by Mendelssohn, the programme features compositions by contemporaries and later composers who were also censored by the regime. A musical tribute - and a powerful plea for artistic freedom.

Programme

• Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Salve Regina
• Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Violin concerto in d, MWV3
• Kurt Weill - Youkali and Die Moritat von Mackie Messer
• llse Weber - Ich wandre durch Theresienstadt and Wiegala (arr. Misha Sporck)
• Ernest Bloch - Prayer from Jewish Life
• Igor Stravinsky - Concerto for strings

Performed by Orkest Ars Musica conducted by Patrick van der Linden and Johan Olof, solo on violin.

Ars Musica Orchestra

The Ars Musica Orchestra consists of inspired top musicians who share their love of music with the audience. The orchestra is bursting with young talent, and the joy of playing radiates from it. Led by conductor Patrick van der Linden, it guarantees expressive and compelling performances.