Manchester Camerata x RNCM: Beethoven’s Eroica

Arthur Feder Homestead (UK premiere)
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme Op 33 *
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No 3 in E flat major ‘Eroica’

Jacobus de Jager conductor
Chloe Chen cello *
Manchester Camerata

RNCM conducting fellow, Jacobus de Jager, leads Manchester Camerata in a performance that travels from the Classical period to the present day, with orchestral works by Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, alongside a UK premiere by Arthur Feder.

Though composing in the late 19th century, Tchaikovsky admired the elegance and clarity of the Classical style, particularly drawing inspiration from Mozart, whom he described as ‘a sunny genius’. During a period of personal turmoil, he turned to the serenity of 18th-century music for emotional refuge. His Variations on a Rococo Theme exemplify this influence, showcasing an ornate yet refined style that reflects the Rococo aesthetic. RNCM musician Chloe Chen joins the orchestra as cello soloist.

Beethoven’s celebrated Eroica Symphony is widely regarded as a landmark in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras, breaking boundaries within the symphonic form. Subtitled ‘composed to celebrate the remembrance of a great man’, the work was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom Beethoven believed embodied the ideals of the French Revolution. However, after Napoleon became Emperor, a disillusioned Beethoven reportedly tore up the title page. The ‘Eroica’ title may therefore refer to Napoleon as he once was, or more broadly to the concept of heroism.