Chamber Music

Dvořák and Bernstein

Stefan Dohr is a living legend. The principal horn player of the Berlin Philharmonic is considered one of the best in the world, if not the best horn player of the present time. Together with the brass players of our orchestra, he opens up a whole musical world, ranging from the brass serenades of Antonín Dvořák and Richard Strauss to Bernstein's "West Side Story" and the famous fanfare by Aaron Copland, composed in 1942 for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, which still stands for the strength and unwavering spirit of the "ordinary person." This exclamation also has a response! It comes from Joan Tower, whose "Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman" also comes from the American music tradition and highlights the extraordinary role of women - powerful, yet in their own way.

Collenbusch with Brahms

British chamber music paired with a masterpiece of German Romanticism - in this concert, we bring together unjustly unknown pieces with rightfully famous ones. Brahms' Piano Quintet in F minor is part of the musical heritage, like Beethoven's symphonies, and is just as popular today as classics like the Fifth Symphony. On the other hand, Arnold Bax, the British composer born in 1883, was a star in his homeland during his lifetime but later almost fell into obscurity. He was never quite well-known here. However, he has written beautiful music! His First String Quartet is full of romantic melodies and captivates listeners immediately. Our Composer in Residence, James MacMillan, contributes another work from the island with his Second String Quartet, which even music critics rave about, describing it as a "captivating, powerful masterpiece" that captivates narratively and emotionally.

Drama, Dreams and Charm

The American composer Amy Beach (1867–1944) was a trailblazer and the first woman in the United States to compose a symphony. Her Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, written in 1907, is an emotionally charged and dramatic work with influences from Brahms.We also hear Amfortas’ Dream for winds and piano, composed by Johan Ullén, who himself takes part as pianist. The music is inspired by the character Amfortas from Wagner’s Parsifal – an opera with deeply religious and philosophical themes.Francis Poulenc was a member of the French group Les Six, and his Sextet for winds and piano is a true burst of joy. Here, elegance, humour, and captivating melodies come together. It showcases Poulenc’s typically neoclassical style, infused with unmistakable French charm.Since 2016, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra has hosted an ”Orchestra Academy”. The international RSPO Orchestra Academy is a one-year, advanced academic programme for young musicians. Under the guidance of the section leaders from the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and the Piteå School of Music, the musicians receive intensive training individually, in chamber music, and orchestral playing. They also showcase their talents through a series of public chamber music concerts – such as this one featuring this year’s academy musicians.

Janine Jansen spielt Brahms

Award-winning pianist Denis Kozhukhin and Dutch violinist Janine Jansen team up to perform Romantic works. Jansen, praised by The Times for her ability to revitalize repertoire pieces, feels connected to every piece she plays. The successful Jansen-Kozhukhin duo creates music with existential depth and emotional tension, making their performances unforgettable.

Die Königsklasse der Kammermusik

vision string quartet Quartett Reloaded

The vision string quartet masterfully blends classical fidelity with experimental band energy. Their fresh approach to string quartet masterpieces has propelled them to international acclaim. Their "Vision" also includes broadening their stylistic horizons, integrating pop, jazz, and original compositions. Schostakovich's eighth quartet harmoniously coexists with the quartet's own works from their album "Spectrum".

Jewish Chamber Orchestra Hamburg

The Jewish spring festival of Passover is not only a religious festival, but above all a cultural event that celebrates renewal and freedom. In keeping with this, the Jewish Chamber Orchestra Hamburg (JCOHH) is opening its new concert series »BÜSCHEN MESCHUGGE« under the motto »Hope. Blossom. A new beginning.«

NOSPR Chamber Musicians / Hindemith / Britten / Music as light as a feather

Paul Hindemith is among the most underrated artists of the 20th century. Anyone who listens to his Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 1, a genuinely sparkling with ideas and light as a feather piece of music, will come to this conclusion. This architect of the cornerstone of historical performance and founding father of the famous Donaueschingen Contemporary Music Festival embodied the dominant ideals of the New Objectivity in German art of the 1920s, namely simplicity of means and communicativeness, in his Chamber Music series. It is a peculiar variety of neo-classicism, unjustly overshadowed by French or Russian music. The third movement in Kammermusik (op. 36 no. 3) is essentially a chamber cello concerto with explicit references to Baroque music. It is not without reason, after all, that this entire series has been compared to Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. Surprisingly similar in its spirit tone, although referring to the classical form and not devoid of stronger emotional accents, is the Sinfonietta of the then-only 18-year-old Benjamin Britten, already heralding his extraordinary talent. Adam SuprynowiczConcert duration: approximately 70 minutes

Fado ao Centro

The musical ensemble Fado ao centro presents its audience with urban and emotional fado from the Portuguese university city of Coimbra – a city with its very special fado tradition. The male line-up shines with its differently tuned guitars, which radiate warm tone colours and penetrate deep into the hearts of the listeners. But the passion for their music is best described by the members of Fado ao centro themselves: »We carry our genuine love for fado deep in our souls and want to share this with other people – whether with other musicians, local fans or visitors who may never have heard of Coimbra Fado.« Fado is mainly associated with the Portuguese capital Lisbon. However, the university city of Coimbra has its very own fado tradition. The most decisive difference is the exclusively male line-up with guitars in different settings.

Scherpdenkers: Herman Pleij and Ralph van Raat (Dutch spoken)

For lovers of chamber music the Recital Hall is the venue of choice. You can hear the musicians breathe and you can practically touch them. This hall is also cherished by musicians for its beautiful acoustics and direct contact with the audience. In the Recital Hall you can hear the best musicians of our time. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Recital Hall for yourself!

Guest performance 11th International Accordion Festival

Jewish Chamber Orchestra Hamburg

The Jewish spring festival of Passover is not only a religious festival, but above all a cultural event that celebrates renewal and freedom. In keeping with this, the Jewish Chamber Orchestra Hamburg (JCOHH) is opening its new concert series »BÜSCHEN MESCHUGGE« under the motto »Hope. Blossom. A new beginning.«

Bennewitz Quartet / Veronika Hagen

They have only just celebrated their 25th anniversary – and are still going, stronger than ever. The Bennewitz Quartet, made up of four gentlemen from the Czech Republic, has established a superb reputation in the quarter of a century it has been performing. Its members are regarded as the cultural ambassadors of their homeland, revered for their warm, homogeneous sound. Now they have invited Veronika Hagen, violist in the legendary Hagen Quartet, to expand their line-up into a quintet. Their concert promises a programme full of contrasts, fluctuating between idylls of nature, the innate lifeforce, and moments of farewell. Antonín Dvořák spent his first summer in the USA not amid the hustle and bustle of New York City, where he ran the conservatory, but surrounded by the tranquillity of Iowa. A Czech community had formed in the small town of Spitville and they invited the composer to stay with them. He must have heard not only the sounds of the »New World«, but also plenty of familiar Bohemian music. At its premiere the following winter, his quintet even transported New Yorkers to this rural summer idyll, and proved an instant success. »Our will for culture was just as great as our will to exist!« wrote the Polish-Austrian composer Viktor Ullmann, recounting his time in the Theresienstadt ghetto. His third string quartet was composed there: gripping music full of a desire to survive. Johannes Brahms, by contrast, wrote his string quintet as a farewell to composing and perhaps even to life itself. Though he would go on to compose other works, his quintet is full of gentle melancholy, a look back over Brahms’ legacy.

Die Königsklasse der Kammermusik

New friday with string quartet and didgeridoo

For the first time in Konserthuset, we get to hear music composed for the ancient Australian wind instrument, the didgeridoo. Both in a newly written piece for strings, didgeridoo, and oboe d'amore by Loke Risberg, and in the intensely vibrant sixteenth string quartet by Australian Peter Sculthorpe, where the instrument complements the four strings. Playing the didgeridoo, we have Björn Bohlin, a multi-instrumentalist who previously played English horn in the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.Gabriella Smith's Carrot Revolution is a tribute to the ability to find new ways to approach older artistic forms and expressions. "The piece is a patchwork of my very contrasting influences," she says.The concert begins with Ghiribizzi for violin and cello by the Moldovan-Austrian composer and violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja. On her series of curiously explorative "ghiribizzi," she says: "It's not a tribute to Paganini, but I borrowed the title from his peculiar pieces for violin and guitar." Ghiribizz roughly translates to whims, quirks."***New Friday is the series for anyone who is curious and interested in exploring the new music of our era. Come early, stay late – the bar will be open before and after the concert with drinks and appetizers.

Jansen and Kozhukhin

With her dazzling technique and natural stage presence, Dutch violinist Janine Jansen has long been among the top tier of international star violinists. Pianist Denis Kozhukhin also combines outstanding technique with mature musicality and an ability to establish a close connection with the audience. They have both previously visited Konserhuset, individually and together.During their acclaimed visit in 2022, they performed, among other pieces, Brahms' third violin sonata. Now, we hear the first two: the "rain sonata," so named because its finale includes a quote from Brahms' own song "Regenlied," and the second, named "Thun" after the town in Switzerland where Brahms spent time when he composed it. There, he was inspired by the beautiful surroundings. "There are so many melodies here that one must be careful not to trample on any of them," he expressed it.Before Ravel's concluding violin sonata with its famous blues movement, we hear Eugène Ysaÿe's sensually dark-toned Poème élégiaque, a milestone in the violin repertoire, and Olivier Messiaen's Thème et variations, which in character resembles his most performed work, Quartet for the End of Time.

Vogler Quartett

Individuality finding harmonious expression in an ensemble – this is the quintessence of the Vogler Quartet, which has been pursuing a unique global career with an unchanged line-up since its formation in 1985. With an intelligent approach to chamber music, outstanding playing technique and interpretive sensitivity, Tim Vogler, Frank Reinecke, Stefan Fehlandt and Stephan Forck have created an unmistakable string quartet sound which consistently offers new insights into the genre. The group has had a concert series at the Konzerthaus Berlin since 1993.

Guitar Series: Petra Poláčková

For lovers of chamber music the Recital Hall is the venue of choice. You can hear the musicians breathe and you can practically touch them. This hall is also cherished by musicians for its beautiful acoustics and direct contact with the audience. In the Recital Hall you can hear the best musicians of our time. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Recital Hall for yourself!

Fauré!

Sebastian Breuninger, Julius Bekesch, Chaim Steller & Chirstian Giger

Pianist Series: Jorge Luis Prats

The Concertgebouw’s famous Main Hall is one of the best concert halls in the world, well-known for its exceptional acoustics and special atmosphere. In the Main Hall, you will feel history. Here, Gustav Mahler conducted his own compositions, as did Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky. Sergei Rachmaninoff played his own piano concertos in the Main Hall. This is also where musicians such as Leonard Bernstein, Vladimir Horowitz and Yehudi Menuhin gave legendary performances. Right up to now, the Main Hall offers a stage to the world’s best orchestras and musicians. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Main Hall for yourself!

Ensemble Finale presents 'A Celebration of Jewish Music'

Mendelssohn-Quartett Leipzig

Next Generation II Kammerkonzert 7

Musicians of the Komische Oper Berlin present intensive listening experiences in special locations as part of their chamber concerts. From the festive ambience of the Schiller Theater to the monumental vastness of the old hangar at Tempelhof Airport, with new sound worlds at the Kindl site to enchanting experiences in a tent.

Portico Quartet Ensemble

Since its emergence in the mid-2000s, the ever-evolving Portico Quartet has established itself at the forefront of London’s thrilling new jazz scene. Here the group presents an ‘augmented’ live version of its stunning minimalist, ambient-oriented album Terrain.

Mariani Klavierquartett

The Mariani Piano Quartet, composed of renowned musicians, performs three piano quartets. They rediscovered Gernsheim's romantic work, banned by the Nazis. Martinů's energetic quartet, composed in exile, and Dvořák's work complete the program. A 7-minute discussion highlights interesting aspects. The concert will be recorded and broadcast.

Free Lunchtime Concert: Sweelinck Academy

For many years now, Lunchtime Concerts have been held in the Main Hall and the Recital Hall. The concerts range from public rehearsals by the Concertgebouworkest, to chamber music performances by young up-and-coming artists.For Lunchtime Concerts you will require a free ticket, which you can buy online. Doors to the concert hall open about 30 minutes before the Lunchtime Concert starts.We offer a broad range of music: the majority of concerts include classical music, but you can sometimes hear more modern repertoire. The concert programme is announced one week in advance on our website. The concerts last thirty minutes and are free of charge. Visitors are advised that these concerts are suitable for children from six years old.

Amaryllis Quartett / Sebastian Manz

The sounds of nature and the voices of birds have inspired many composers. The musical journey of this concert ranges from classical to impressionistic and romantic sounds. In the clarinet quintet, the Amaryllis Quartet and the solo clarinettist of the SWR Symphony Orchestra, Sebastian Manz, embark together on the already transcendent sounds of Brahms’ late work.

Chamber concert: String quartet

A concert with impressive string quartets – because our orchestra members love to regularly step out of the big orchestra apparatus and work intensively on works close to their hearts as chamber musicians. And the first one is a real piece of work, according to contemporaries even »as incomprehensible as Chinese«, to which the composer rumbled the words »Cattle! Donkeys!«: Beethoven’s magnificent fugue op. 133 – a highly unique late work from 1825 that goes to the limits of what was possible, with monumental architectural structures and, despite some friendly tunes, with enormous inner tensions. One of the pieces to be rediscovered in this programme comes from the beloved homeland of our concertmaster: Ilian Garnetz grew up in a creative environment – and was awarded the title of »Artist of the Moldavian People« as a music mediator and representative of his country. Now, together with his fellow musicians, he would like to introduce the Bamberg audience to the fourth string quartet by his former violin professor and composer Boris Dubosarschi. It was influenced by the work of Shostakovich – with which the concert ends on a stirring note: His string quartet No. 8 was composed in 1960, during which he reflected on the destruction of the city of Dresden during the war in 1945. It expresses his shock at this and was published »in memory of the victims« of that time. However, Shostakovich felt that this subjective work of confession with its own quotations from his pieces could also be dedicated to his own commemoration – and also mentioned that it was »of such a pseudo-tragic nature that I shed many tears while composing it.«

Rising Stars: Carlos Ferreira

For lovers of chamber music the Recital Hall is the venue of choice. You can hear the musicians breathe and you can practically touch them. This hall is also cherished by musicians for its beautiful acoustics and direct contact with the audience. In the Recital Hall you can hear the best musicians of our time. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Recital Hall for yourself!

Chamber concert Theater im Delphi