Concerts with works by

Charles Ives

Ives Crawford Seeger Riegger Ruggles Rodgers Gershwin

Ives Crawford Seeger Riegger Ruggles Rodgers Gershwin

NOSPR / Axelrod / Leonard Bernstein’s great discovery and Fazıl Say’s tour de force

There are fascinating masterpieces that are still waiting to be discovered. Even if they have become classics in their genre. Such has been the fate of compositions by Charles Ives, which are still virtually absent from Poland. This might not be so surprising when we remember that it had also been half a century or more before it was premiered in his native country. As we have just celebrated the American genius’ 150th birth anniversary, it is high time we changed this! Eventually, the NOSPR concert hall will resound with the Symphony No. 2, a piece that is not only masterful, but also gripping – and at the same time, one the most unusual works in the history of music. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the German Symphonic tradition still remained the basic form of expression, particularly for the Americans, educated with European models. The young composer from New England, however, enhanced it with themes drawn from the local tradition, the developments and unexpected clashes of which presented in the consecutive movements blew up the conventional style, leading everything up to the spectacular final explosion. All that a decade ahead of Stravinsky and Bartók! The world premiere of the Symphony No.2, which presented Ives’ symphonic oeuvre to the world, was only prepared in 1959 by Leonard Bernstein. Three decades later, John Axelrod, the conductor of today’s concert, studied the piece with him.Axelrod also frequently works with the outstanding Turkish composer and pianist Fazıl Say. The very choice of solo instruments for his Concerto indicates an opportunity for showcasing the oriental exoticism and richness of the dynamic timbres of the percussion. The spectacular piece will be preceded by the famous Lullaby by George Gershwin.Jakub PuchalskiConcert duration (intermission included): approximately 90 minutes

American Style

Classical conductor Patrick Hahn, also a renowned jazz pianist, will lead an American program featuring Gershwin, Bernstein, and Duke Ellington. Hahn, General Music Director in Wuppertal, possesses rare qualities for his young age. He understands the psychological aspect of conducting, inspiring musicians to perform at their best. Jazz pianist Frank Dupree joins as soloist in Gershwin's Concerto in F.

American Style

Classical conductor Patrick Hahn, also a renowned jazz pianist, will lead an American program featuring Gershwin, Bernstein, and Duke Ellington. Hahn, General Music Director in Wuppertal, possesses rare qualities for his young age. He understands the psychological aspect of conducting, inspiring musicians to perform at their best. Jazz pianist Frank Dupree joins as soloist in Gershwin's Concerto in F.

Jakub Hrůša, Bomsori Kim

»I love surprises and breaking with conventions, as long as they are subtle.« When it comes to developing dramaturgically sophisticated concert programmes, Jakub Hrůša always proves to be a creative mind and also enjoys experimenting. He is now combining two deeply profound musical creations: Charles Ives’ famous work from 1908 revolves around the question of existence. It ultimately remains unanswered in the room, and the magical piece ends on the exact same note with which Shostakovich»s Symphony No. 11 begins – so that the two compositions merge into one another impressively in our concert. The gripping symphony is subtitled »The Year 1905« and refers to the »St Petersburg Bloody Sunday« — but the work also reflects the just as tragic events of 1957 when it was written. Our Chief Conductor has selected the violin concerto by a composer who originated from his home town of Brno and had to seek refuge in exile in America: Korngold kept his head above water there by writing film music, which left traces in his violin concerto – for which we welcome Bomsori Kim as soloist. An exciting programme full of mesmerising undertow that is thought-provoking but also goes straight to the heart – especially through the conducting of Jakub Hrůša, who said of his favourite recipe: »It is important to find a balance in which you create with emotional charge and at the same time respect the craft. That’s when the best moments happen. And when the audience engages in this kind of valuable interaction, nothing stands in the way of happiness.«

Bamberger Symphoniker in Munich

Licht­einfall

An extraordinary concert in collaboration with sustainability-focused "Orchester des Wandels" will conclude the season. Featuring Paul Dukas's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," a musical fairytale about water, popularized by Disney's "Fantasia," and Bernd Alois Zimmermann's expansive "Photoptosis," reflecting on the color blue. The concert utilizes the foyers and adaptable Alfried Krupp Hall, presenting familiar elements in a new light for unusual sensory experiences, complemented by artistic contributions.