16. Crespo Series
- Concerts
- €28/22/16/12
- Bantry House
- 29/06/2026 - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Two Fantasies of Forbidden Love
The fabled opening to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata inspired another great composer to describe it as ‘one of those poems that human language does not know how to qualify’. It quickly became one of the most famous pieces ever composed, as magical an opening for a recital as you could wish for. Beethoven composed this glimpse of immortality for one of his beloved students, Giulietta Guicciardi. As a Countess she was way beyond his reach, but the implacable ferocity of the Finale speaks of the intensity of his feelings for her.
Please be aware that there is a programme change from the printed programme or brochure; Anna will perform Carnaval, Scènes mignonnes sur quatre notes Op.9 instead of Fantasie Op.17 by the same composer.
Anna played it here two years ago but Schumann’s magical cast of characters cries out to be heard again. This work is full of secret massages to all his friends and lovers, both past, present, future and imaginary, all members of his fantastical League of David who were a sacred band of warriors who opposed bad music, showy music, competitions of virtuosity, music that was not music and all else that was mere entertainment, tinsel, glitter and show.
4PM CRESPO SERIES These hour-long concerts take place daily. If you can’t quite squeeze in a full two-hour concert, then here is the chance to listen to a world class soloist perform in the marvellous surroundings of Bantry House. These concerts are generously supported by the Crespo Foundation, and are named after the late Ulrike Crespo, a great friend and donor to the Festival.
