Syddansk Musikkonservatorium, Esbjerg. Sunday 23rd August 2026 at 4 pm

SINGLE TICKETS

All-inclusive Festival Ticket KR. 700,-

Fandango, Fire and Schumann’s Glory

Paquito D’Rivera (1948–): Aires Tropicales for Wind Quintet
I. Alborada
II. Son
III. Habanera
IV. Vals Venezolano
V. Dizzyness
VI. Afro
VII. Contradanza

Luigi Boccherini (1743–1805): Guitar Quintet in D major, G. 448, “Fandango”
I. Pastorale
II. Allegro maestoso
III. Grave assai
IV. Fandango

Robert Schumann (1810–1856): Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 63
I. Mit Energie und Leidenschaft
II. Lebhaft, doch nicht zu rasch
III. Langsam, mit inniger Empfindung
IV. Mit Feuer

Kerstin Theile, flute · David Daniel Dinu, English horn  · Jonas Egholm, guitar ·
Juliette Roos, violin · Joel Bardolet, violin · Michel Camille, viola · Pau Codina, cello · MarcHeredia, piano

The final concert of EICMF 2026 (Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival) brings the festival to a thrilling and uplifting conclusion. Fandango, Fire and Schumann’s Glory unites Latin American rhythms, Spanish dance, and German Romantic passion in a programme overflowing with colour, virtuosity, and emotional intensity. Spanning more than two centuries and three musical cultures, the concert celebrates chamber music’s remarkable ability to entertain, inspire, and move audiences.

The evening opens with Paquito D’Rivera’s Aires Tropicales, one of the most popular works in the modern wind quintet repertoire. Born in Cuba and celebrated worldwide as a virtuoso clarinettist, saxophonist, and composer, D’Rivera combines classical craftsmanship with the irresistible rhythms and melodies of Latin America.

The seven movements of Aires Tropicales form a vibrant musical journey. From the exuberant Alborada and Cuban-inspired Son to the lyrical Habanera, elegant Vals Venezolano, jazz-infused Dizzyness, powerful Afro, and playful Contradanza, each movement presents a distinct musical personality. The work is full of humour, charm, and rhythmic vitality while offering every member of the wind quintet opportunities to shine.

At the heart of Fandango, Fire and Schumann’s Glory stands one of the most famous dances in all chamber music: Luigi Boccherini’s Guitar Quintet in D major, “Fandango”. Although Boccherini was born in Italy, his long association with Spain profoundly influenced his musical language. The quintet is a masterpiece of elegance and theatrical flair, culminating in the exhilarating Fandango, whose infectious rhythms and irresistible energy have captivated audiences for generations.

The guitar plays a central role throughout the work, bringing warmth, colour, and authenticity to Boccherini’s evocation of Spanish musical life. The famous final dance movement seems almost impossible to resist, its rhythmic momentum building towards a dazzling conclusion. It is this spirit of celebration that gives the title Fandango, Fire and Schumann’s Glory its first inspiration.

The second half of the concert is devoted to Robert Schumann’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 63, one of the crowning achievements of the Romantic chamber music repertoire. Composed in 1847 during one of the most productive periods of Schumann’s life, the trio combines lyrical beauty, emotional intensity, and extraordinary imagination. It is music of profound humanity, filled with longing, tenderness, and passionate energy.

The opening movement immediately establishes a mood of urgency and dramatic purpose. The scherzo displays Schumann’s unique blend of fantasy and rhythmic vitality, while the slow movement unfolds with remarkable intimacy and expressive depth. The finale, marked Mit Feuer (“With Fire”), drives the work towards a thrilling conclusion of irresistible momentum and emotional power.

At the centre of Fandango, Fire and Schumann’s Glory lies a journey from dance to transcendence. D’Rivera’s colourful Latin American rhythms and Boccherini’s vibrant Spanish dances gradually lead listeners towards the deeply personal and emotionally charged world of Schumann. The result is a programme that moves from celebration and movement to artistic depth and spiritual intensity.

The title’s final word, Glory, is particularly fitting. Schumann’s First Piano Trio stands among the supreme achievements of Romantic chamber music. It combines technical mastery with emotional honesty and demonstrates the composer’s extraordinary ability to transform personal feeling into music of universal significance. The work brings the festival to a conclusion not merely with brilliance, but with genuine artistic greatness.

This final concert also reflects the international spirit that has defined EICMF for more than a quarter of a century. Outstanding musicians from across Europe come together to explore masterpieces from different cultures and traditions, creating musical encounters that transcend national boundaries.

Presented at the Syddansk Musikkonservatorium (SDMK), Fandango, Fire and Schumann’s Glory provides a fitting conclusion to EICMF 2026. From the tropical colours of D’Rivera and the irresistible rhythms of Boccherini’s Fandango to the emotional grandeur of Schumann’s masterpiece, the programme celebrates everything that makes chamber music one of the most powerful and enduring forms of artistic expression.

As the final notes fade, audiences will have travelled from Latin America to Spain and onward into the heart of German Romanticism—a joyful, passionate, and unforgettable farewell to another remarkable season of the Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival.

Venue: Syddansk Musikkonservatorium, Esbjerg