Concerts with works by

Alexander Glasunow

Fancy some classical music?!

Who's up for classical music? For the third time, the Philharmonie opens its doors to young people when the Gürzenich Orchestra invites them to »Concert & Kölsch«. Two symphonies, one spectacle: Prokofiev and Glazunov, two Russian masters, meet: Prokofiev's 5th Symphony, composed in 1944 in the midst of the chaos of war, sounds heroic, emotional and full of energy. He paints impressive orchestral pictures - sometimes lyrical, sometimes gloomy, sometimes overwhelming. You are in for a real goosebump moment! Glazunov's Symphony No. 5 begins mysteriously, unfolds into a playful scherzo and culminates in a radiant finale that simply sounds monumental. A real highlight of Romantic music! No wonder this piece is celebrated as a masterpiece. This time, Lorenzo Viotti is on the podium - a young, charismatic conductor who turns late Romantic music into pure sound magic. A concert for everyone who loves epic music and is in the mood for an unforgettable live experience! After the concert, you can round off the evening with DJ sounds by Loush and relaxed conversation in the foyer. Free drink included!

Awakening

Two fifth symphonies from Russia: In 1944, Sergei Prokofiev spent some time in the countryside where he had all the peace and calm he needed in order to compose, while back home in Moscow, people were suffering from hunger and homelessness. What Prokofiev brought to paper is lushly orchestrated, patriotic, and deliberately Russian in its rhythm and melodies. Not to mention a tremendous amount of heroic pathos, in light of the global war against Nazi Germany. In his op. 100, we see the composer as a mature, experienced symphonist, and as grand master of instrumentation. He creates veritable »orchestral paintings« – some lyrical and sumptuous, some dark and warlike. Alexander Glasunow’s fifth symphony, too, has a heroic flavor to it. After a passage of dark fog in the brass section, and an elf-like Scherzo à la Mendelssohn, the symphony grows and eventually culminates in a grand, radiant finale of such majestic splendour that this has become Glasunow’s masterpiece. Both composers personally wielded the baton at the premieres of their fifth symphonies. Unfortunately, we can’t arrange for that to happen this time around. However, the Gürzenich Orchestra is looking forward to continuing its exhilarating collaboration with one of the foremost conductors of the young generation, Swiss-born Lorenzo Viotti. An exceptional talent and magician in the field of late Romantic sound, he most certainly would have appealed to the two Russian symphonists.

Kammerkonzert: Werke von Glasunow, Lang, Žuraj, Fries und Reich

Kammerkonzert: Werke von Glasunow, Lang, Žuraj, Fries und Reich

Kammerkonzert: Werke von Glasunow, Lang, Žuraj, Fries und Reich

Gewandhausorchester, Omer Meir Wellber Dirigent/Klavier

Omer Meir Wellber is a dynamic conductor, musician, and composer who enjoys experimenting and avoids the ordinary. This concert features Glasunov's "The Seasons" ballet cycle, Mahler's Piano Quartet Scherzo (arranged by Schnittke), and Tchaikovsky's "The Seasons" in a wind arrangement. The performance blends music and dance, highlighting the cyclical nature of the seasons and culminating in a celestial apotheosis.

Gewandhausorchester, Omer Meir Wellber Dirigent/Klavier

Omer Meir Wellber is a dynamic conductor, musician, and composer who enjoys experimenting and avoids the ordinary. This concert features Glasunov's "The Seasons" ballet cycle, Mahler's Piano Quartet Scherzo (arranged by Schnittke), and Tchaikovsky's "The Seasons" in a wind arrangement. The performance blends music and dance, highlighting the cyclical nature of the seasons and culminating in a celestial apotheosis.