NSOI: Pablo Ferrández plays Schumann Cello Concerto

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Antony Hermus conductor
Pablo Ferrández cello

Schumann Cello Concerto 
Bruckner Symphony No. 6 
 
Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández, hailed by Le Figaro as a “new cello genius,” and “truly special” by violinist Anne Sophie Mütter (with whom he has established a fruitful artistic partnership and mentorship) takes centre stage in Schumann’s deeply poetic Cello Concerto. Composed in just two weeks and never performed publicly during Schumann’s lifetime, the concerto has since become a cornerstone of the cello repertoire. 

Its enduring popularity owes much to the advocacy of legendary cellist Pablo Casals, whose performances in the 1920s brought its quiet brilliance to global audiences. Renowned for its continuous, three-movement structure played without pause, it is a deeply intimate, Romantic-era work known for its lyrical intensity rather than technical display. 

Bruckner’s expansive Sixth Symphony follows. Despite the composer describing it as ‘the most cheeky’ Symphony (BBC Music Magazine), it is a monumental work, both emotionally intense and surprising. It will be performed by National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, under the baton of acclaimed Dutch conductor Antony Hermus. 

Presented by NCH