Concerts with works by

George Gershwin

Ives Crawford Seeger Riegger Ruggles Rodgers Gershwin

Ives Crawford Seeger Riegger Ruggles Rodgers Gershwin

Mille et Une Notes

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

Bertrand de Billy, Kit Armstrong

How is the house built? When are the roof, walls and floors added? And will the structure be able to support itself? These are the questions of an architect – but they can also be the questions of conductors when they approach musical structures with their very own style and passion. It is therefore hardly surprising that Bertrand de Billy, who was already fantasising about becoming a conductor at the age of four, once said: »If it hadn’t worked out with music, I would probably have been an architect.« From an early age, he carefully observed the movements of conductors – whether from the choirboy's perspective or as an orchestral musician. Today, he conducts numerous renowned orchestras himself. His specialities include classics and key works of the 20th century and, as a native of Paris, time and again declarations of love for French music. With us, he combines Gershwin and Ravel, two composers who knew each other well and both absorbed the other’s idiom. Ravel’s dazzling piece »Daphnis et Chloé« is a fairytale story about two foundlings, which premiered in the French metropolis in 1912. Gershwin’s pulsating piano concerto also has something to do with the city of love: although it was composed in 1925 in the jazzy melting pot that is New York, large parts of it were later woven into the film »An American in Paris«. As a congenial sound designer, Bertrand de Billy will work with us and the pianist Kit Armstrong to delicately emphasise the different currents and similarities of the compositions like a musical architect: Because he never wants to be an overbearing chef d'orchestre, but simply to be an artist among artists: »The fulfilment of creating something together is indescribably beautiful.«

Guest performance Rhapsody & Rhythm

Guest in Erlangen

How is the house built? When are the roof, walls and floors added? And will the structure be able to support itself? These are the questions of an architect – but they can also be the questions of conductors when they approach musical structures with their very own style and passion. It is therefore hardly surprising that Bertrand de Billy, who was already fantasising about becoming a conductor at the age of four, once said: »If it hadn’t worked out with music, I would probably have been an architect.« From an early age, he carefully observed the movements of conductors – whether from the choirboy's perspective or as an orchestral musician. Today, he conducts numerous renowned orchestras himself. His specialities include classics and key works of the 20th century and, as a native of Paris, time and again declarations of love for French music. With us, he combines Gershwin and Ravel, two composers who knew each other well and both absorbed the other’s idiom. Ravel’s dazzling piece »Daphnis et Chloé« is a fairytale story about two foundlings, which premiered in the French metropolis in 1912. Gershwin’s pulsating piano concerto also has something to do with the city of love: although it was composed in 1925 in the jazzy melting pot that is New York, large parts of it were later woven into the film »An American in Paris«. As a congenial sound designer, Bertrand de Billy will work with us and the pianist Kit Armstrong to delicately emphasise the different currents and similarities of the compositions like a musical architect: Because he never wants to be an overbearing chef d'orchestre, but simply to be an artist among artists: »The fulfilment of creating something together is indescribably beautiful.«

Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 & Fazil Say plays Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue

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!

Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue

The Netherlands Philharmonic is one of the most versatile cultural organisations in The Netherlands. The orchestra organises a diverse concert program in The Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam and is a welcome guest on foreign stages and festivals. The Netherlands Philharmonic brings classical music to life at the highest level and collaborates closely with international guest soloists and conductors. It takes great pleasure in welcoming and developing new musical talent. Lorenzo Viotti is the principal conductor of Dutch National Opera and the Netherlands Philharmonic.

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.

Rhapsody in Blue

Good kids play violin in the orchestra, cool kids play sax in the big band - isn't that how it always is in school? Of course, that's a cliché. But the big band and symphony orchestra are two different worlds. Here, however, both come together for Gershwin's eternal classics, along with Alain Altinoglu on the piano. Gershwin, the man who supplied American music with the sophistication of the classical orchestra format and the slightly brash sound of a jazzy, fresh wind section, and hits like "Rhapsody in Blue," in which chief conductor Alain Altinoglu can show that he also cuts a dazzling figure at the keyboard. If, however, something honks during the orchestral piece "An American in Paris," it's not the hr-Bigband's fault. No, Gershwin himself wrote car horns into his score. The good kids play violin, everyone else wants to play the horn in the hr Symphony Orchestra.

Gershwin

A program in the spirit of the great American whose music always exudes a unique casualness. Featuring the hr-Bigband and the hr-Symphony Orchestra, two sound worlds united for Gershwin and a world premiere by Thierry Escaich. Gershwin's music, always on the pulse of turbulent times, is exemplified by his "Rhapsody in Blue." The chief conductor himself takes to the piano keys, adding to the coolness. Concert duration: approx. 120 minutes including intermission.

Gershwin

A program in the spirit of the great American whose music always exudes a unique casualness. Featuring the hr-Bigband and the hr-Symphony Orchestra, two sound worlds united for Gershwin and a world premiere by Thierry Escaich. Gershwin's music, always on the pulse of turbulent times, is exemplified by his "Rhapsody in Blue." The chief conductor himself takes to the piano keys, adding to the coolness. Concert duration: approx. 120 minutes including intermission.

Hahn & Montero

Gabriela Montero is a real phenomenon. You simply need to call out a melody to the Venezuelan, and she cuts loose. Her improvisational art is enthralling—hardly anyone in the world of classical music is able to improvise like this anymore. She transforms Beethoven’s Fifth into a tango, and a simple children’s song into a rapture full of Latino rhythms and jazz that lasts minutes. Familiar, and yet it feels so new. It makes you happy, and you want to hear more—with her ›Latin Concerto‹ from 2016, you’ll be richly rewarded.

James Gaffigan & Janine Jansen

The tone colors of the strings in William Grant Still’s Mother and Child evoke the lovely flower meadows and the cradling one associates with the tender bonds between mother and child. Dvořák’s American Suite: raw, promising, yearning, impetuous, exciting – a musical depiction of the New World. Bernstein’s Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium) begins with a sighing, exquisitely flowing solo violin line, and with the addition of strings, harp, and percussion, turns into an unconventional, raging mix of styles with a “hint of jazz” at the end. The solo part is entrusted to the exceptional violinist Janine Jansen. Gershwin’s portrait of the French rush hour in An American in Paris concludes the concert. James Gaffigan will be conducting the BRSO for the third time in this very special program, which also promises to be incredibly exciting.

James Gaffigan & Janine Jansen

The tone colors of the strings in William Grant Still’s Mother and Child evoke the lovely flower meadows and the cradling one associates with the tender bonds between mother and child. Dvořák’s American Suite: raw, promising, yearning, impetuous, exciting – a musical depiction of the New World. Bernstein’s Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium) begins with a sighing, exquisitely flowing solo violin line, and with the addition of strings, harp, and percussion, turns into an unconventional, raging mix of styles with a “hint of jazz” at the end. The solo part is entrusted to the exceptional violinist Janine Jansen. Gershwin’s portrait of the French rush hour in An American in Paris concludes the concert. James Gaffigan will be conducting the BRSO for the third time in this very special program, which also promises to be incredibly exciting.

Frank-Michael Erben & Charlotte Steppes

Khatia and Gvantsa Buniatishvili

Our current Artist Spotlight, Khatia Buniatishvili, joins forces with her sister Gvantsa for an exhilarating evening of piano duo music from Mozart to Gershwin via Ravel.

Duo Jazzical Class

It begins with the baroque Jean-Philippe Rameau and is far from over with George Gershwin's furious »I got rhythm«. »Jazzical Class« is Peter Fleckenstein, principal timpanist in the Gürzenich Orchestra, and clarinettist Žilvinas Brazauskas. As a duo, they have been cultivating the joyful clash of the most diverse genres since 2013. Connected by an entertaining moderation, their programme moves from classical music to tango to jazz, from »Little Green Cactus« to original compositions such as »Wartesaal« and back again with sophisticated arrangements and breakneck improvisations. The joy of playing and the humour with which they use their instruments is unmistakable: in addition to Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, vibraphone, xylophone, djembe and snare drum, they also use piano, voices and bodies. The audience can look forward to a rousing mix of classical, jazz and world music!

Rising Stars: Matilda Lloyd & Kunal Lahiry

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!

Andreas Ottensamer & José Gallardo: Mendelssohn, Brahms & Gershwin

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!