Just think of Love

It was the love that inspired Bernstein to compose his violin concerto. Not for nothing did he call it Serenade (tribute, declaration of love). Born after rereading Plato’s Symposium – the full title of the work is Serenade after Plato’s Symposium – it is a resounding treatise on love. Let yourself be taken to an ancient Greek dinner, where the gentlemen philosophers take turns discussing eros.

Violinist Shin Sihan got to know Bernstein’s serenade through his violin teacher in Berlin, Professor Kolja Blacher. When he became the winner of the GrachtenfestivalPrijs in August last year and thus became Artist in Residence of the festival 2021, Bernstein’s Serenade immediately came to the top of his wish list. Tonight his wish will come true: with the Club Classique Orchestra he will shine in the main hall of Carré.

The heart of Club Classique lies with chamber music, which is why the orchestra opens with gems from the repertoire. Puccini wrote his string quartet Crisantemi in one evening and perhaps it sounds even better with the string orchestra… But just like in the violin concerto, all emotions pass by tonight. The sweet habanera Youkali tells with irony about the island where all your dreams come true. As folk and virtuoso as Bartók’s Romanian dances, Piazzolla’s tango Oblivion is so heartbreaking. And the last word belongs to Plato.

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