Opening concert: Schumann with Herreweghe and Hecker

Philippe Herreweghe, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, and Robert Schumann form a golden trio. Decades of collaboration have cultivated a deep affinity for Schumann’s music, making each performance a profound experience. Joining them is German cellist Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, born in Schumann’s hometown of Zwickau, for a long-awaited reunion after their celebrated recording of Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Schumann’s own cello concerto, once overlooked, now shines as one of the Romantic era’s finest, blending lyricism with heartfelt emotion. The programme concludes with his hopeful Second Symphony, a testament to resilience in the face of personal darkness. Together, Herreweghe and the Antwerp Symphony deliver a concert that speaks directly to the soul.