The 'Pastorale' with Philippe Herreweghe

Many artists are inspired by the beauty of nature. Mendelssohn and Beethoven, two early romantics, were no different in this respect, drawing on Mother Nature to compose some of their most beautiful works. Mendelssohn is said to have jotted down the undulating opening theme of his Die Hebriden after setting eyes on the island group, combining his impressions into a powerful piece of music. Beethoven did the same in his Sixth Symphony or Pastoral, which he said had ‘more expression of feeling than a painting’. Baiba Skride, the winner of the 2001 Queen Elisabeth Competition will perform the solo in Mendelssohns Violin Concerto in E minor under the baton of honorary conductor Philippe Herreweghe.