During the dramatic early months of the pandemic in 2020 Matthias Pintscher composed some highly expressive works. His concerto “Assonanza” for solo violin and chamber orchestra originated from a composition for Leila Josefowicz, a seemingly unending melody in a sweeping dramatic gesture which narrates the greatest tensions and inner turmoil. “Assonanza” receives its premiere on 28 January 2022 in Cincinnati and will also be live-streamed on 29 January. Shortly before this, Pintscher’s preceding work “Mar’eh” for violin and orchestra will be performed on 22 January in Berlin. The performers are Diego Tosi (violin) and the Konzerthausorchester Berlin conducted by the composer. Pintscher’s orchestral work “neharot”, says the composer, was written “during the worst period of the many daily deaths in the spring of 2020 ... and is a clear echo of the desolation and fear, but also the hope for light that so emotionally characterized this time in our lives.” The title is significant: “Neharot’ means rivers in Hebrew, but also tears. It also describes lamentation.” The German premiere on 3 February 2022 is also the start of Pintscher’s position as “Capell-Compositeur 2021/22” with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden. The Swiss premiere follows in Geneva, conducted by Pintscher on 9 February 2022 with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. (Photo: Franck Ferville)