SIR MARK ELDER

Sir Mark Elder – Pollença Closing concert of the 65th edition

Sir Mark Elder pays tribute to two composers especially dear to him: Beethoven and Elgar, with two colossal works that unite lyricism and grandeur in different ways while achieving equal inspiration. A genuine masterpiece showcasing the virtuosity and brilliance of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 radiates irresistible energy from the outset, surging relentlessly through the Scherzo and becoming infectious in the final Allegro, transforming into the “apotheosis of the dance” described by Wagner, although the second movement —Allegretto— remains, in its own right, one of the most unforgettable pages in music history. Linked in spirit to this noble Allegretto is Nimrod, the central variation from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, in which the composer pays tribute to his circle of friends through British elegance, wit and profound human reflection, creating a symphonic universe of overwhelming emotional power.