Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest . Yannick Nézet-Séguin

It has been two years since the young Canadian, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, took over as head conductor from Valery Gergiev in Rotterdam; a position that stirred a lot of expectations. Expectations, which, right from the start, were fuelled with the anticipation of a varied repertoire. Also, the combination of Beethoven and 'Yannick' (so well-known is he in the Rotterdam community that they call him by his first name) has proven itself a successful formula, as seen in his acclaimed performance of 'The Ninth'. 'Historical' and 'Fizzing with energy', said the Dutch music press. A recording of Beethoven's 'Eroica' was equally enthusiastically received. In deSingel, Nézet-Séguin and the Rotterdammers are presenting a dual performance of Beethoven's Fourth and Fifth. These two undisputed high points of the symphonic canon were composed by the German master at more or less the same time. However, the Fourth and Fifth traverse completely different emotional worlds. Moving between the cheery nimbleness of the Fourth Symphony and the grim battle against fate in the Fifth, a greater contrast is barely imaginable.