Emilie Mayer had no fear of tackling the great works of world literature – and quite rightly so: her *Faust* Overture was frequently performed in the years following its publication in 1880 and received much critical acclaim. In 1838, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy wrote to the violinist and childhood friend Ferdinand David that the opening of a concerto in E minor was constantly on his mind. Six years on, this catchy tune was to mature into one of the most beautiful and popular violin concertos of all time, which Gewandhaus concertmaster David premiered in Leipzig in 1845.

With us, the renowned South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim will perform it not only in the concerts at the Gendarmenmarkt, but also on the Konzerthaus Orchestra’s two-week tour with principal conductor Joana Mallwitz. Also on the programme is Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony from 1888, about which the composer – who was very hard on himself – wrote: “After every performance, I become increasingly convinced that my [...] symphony is a failed work…”. However, audiences and critics alike were exceptionally taken with the “fate motif” that runs through the movements. That has not changed to this day.