Love and Liverpool

Donald Macleod follows Bruch as he grapples with a new life chapter on British shores.

“Only true melody outlasts all changes and shifts of time” – so said this week’s composer, Max Bruch, the creator of what may be the world’s best-loved violin concerto. But Bruch would hate us to think of him as a one hit wonder. He even came to resent the very sound of his first Violin concerto, the only piece by which he’s often remembered. All this week, Donald Macleod colours in Bruch’s life story and reveals the breadth of his output, including some of his lesser-heard music.

Today, Bruch crosses the Channel and makes his way north to Liverpool to take up the post of conductor of the city’s Philharmonic Society. At first he’s resentful and lonely, but not for long. In his early 40s, Bruch at last finds love.

12 Scottish Folksongs: No 2- Johnie und Jenny
Darmstadt Concert Choir
Wolfgang Seelinger, conductor

Songs, Op 49 No 4 – Serenade (dedicated to Clara)
Duo Dauenhauer Kuen
Anna Sophie Dauenhauer, violin
Lukas Maria Kuen, piano

Piano Quintet in G minor (iii. Scherzo and iv Allegro Agitato)
Goldner String Quartet
Piers Lane, piano

Gruss an die Heilige Nacht (Greeting to the Holy Night)
Katharina Kammerloher, alto
Peter Dicke, organ
WDR Rundfunkchor Köln
Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Helmuth Froschauer, conductor

Kol Nidrei
Steven Isserlis (cello)
Connie Shih (piano)
Olivia Jageurs (harp)

Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra (iv. Allegro guerriero)
Nicola Benedetti, violin
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Rory Macdonald, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West