Program

Ludwig van Beethoven, Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61

1. Allegro ma non troppo

2. Larghetto

3. Rondo - Allegro

Jules Massenet, "Méditation" from Thaïs

Sergei Rachmaninov, Symphonic Dances, Op. 45

I. Non allegro

II. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse)

III. Lento assai - Allegro vivace

Edward Elgar, Enigma Variations, Op. 36

Variation IX (Adagio) "Nimrod"

Antonín Dvořák, Slavonic Dances, Op. 46

No. 8 in G Minor (Furiant)

Odeonsplatz 2025: The Munich Philharmonic with Lisa Batiashvili and Lahav Shani

Beethoven's Violin Concerto and Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances

Subscribers

Cast

Lisa Batiashvili — Violinist

Münchner Philharmoniker

Lahav Shani — Conductor

Program notes

It’s time for the 2025 edition of the Munich Philharmonic’s beloved annual open-air concert at the Odeonsplatz! The orchestra and their principal conductor Lahav Shani are joined under the evening sky by Lisa Batiashvili, one of the most acclaimed violinists in the world, who brings her virtuosic technique and perfectly modulated expression to Beethoven’s sole, exquisite Violin Concerto. Maestro Shani then leads the Munich Phil in Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances, the composer’s final completed masterpiece, which looks back on his life’s work with a host of musical quotations and forward to the unknown with a struggle between Death (the Dies Irae theme) and Resurrection (an allusion to Rachmaninov’s All-night Vigil).

Photo © Chris Singer

A closer look: featured composers

Ludwig van Beethoven

Jules Massenet

Antonín Dvořák

Edward Elgar

Further listening: featured works

Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer)

"Méditation" from Thaïs

Jules Massenet (Composer)

Slavonic Dances, Op. 46

Antonín Dvořák (Composer)

Enigma Variations, Op. 36

Edward Elgar (Composer)

Symphonic Dances, Op. 45

Sergei Rachmaninov (Composer)