Concerts with works by

Leonard Bernstein

Zwergenkonzert

Bernstein & Strawinsky

The program features two choral-orchestral works, each conveying optimism in their own way: Stravinsky's striking "Symphony of Psalms" and Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms," which oscillates between rhythmic drive and cantilenas.

Bernstein & Strawinsky

"The Age of Anxiety" – Bernstein's 2nd Symphony from the late 1940s could hardly be more topical. Two choral-orchestral works radiate confidence: Stravinsky's striking "Psalm Symphony" and Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms," which oscillate between rhythmic drive and cantilenas.

London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Antonio Pappano

Bringing together Walton’s turbulent first Symphony with passionate statements of love and outrage from two American greats.

Symphoniker Hamburg / Michel Camilo / Clark Rundell

Dominican composer and pianist Michel Camilo, winner of Grammy, Latin Grammy, and Emmy awards, blends jazz, classical, pop, and world music with Caribbean influences. This concert features his energetic Piano Concerto No. 1, fusing jazz and classical elements, alongside Bernstein's "Candide" overture, reflecting Camilo's diverse musicality.

JAZZIK #2

Where does jazz begin and classical music end? With this new series, the RSB fuses jazz, classical and minimal music.

Valentine’s Day Concert

Signum Saxophone Quartet, photo: Anna Tena Drawing liberally on classical, jazz and American traditional music, Leonard Bernstein’s work is currently experiencing a real renaissance. This is partly due to a recent biographical film (promoted in Poland by Jakub Józef Orlinski at the Warsaw Philharmonic) about the composer’s emotional life. Hence the evening of Valentine’s Day (whether you celebrate it or not) is worth spending with Bernstein’s vibrant, passionate and witty music. In addition, suites from his famous stage works, the operetta Candide and the musical West Side Story, will be orchestrated by none other than the composer’s student and later collaborator and friend Eiji Oue. The evening’s programme will also feature the fascinating attempt made by Malcolm Bolcom at the end of the twentieth century to transfer the Baroque concerto grosso form to contemporary music. In the group of soloists – called the concertina – the American composer placed an unusual ensemble of four saxophonists. It might seem that the most romantic accent of our Valentine’s Day concert will be the suite from Dominick Argent’s opera The Dream of Valentino. However, the opera’s libretto refers not to the patron saint of lovers, but to the famous Hollywood actor, dancer and romantic lead of the silent film era, Rudolph Valentino.

Valentine Classics at the Movies

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!

Valentine’s Day Concert

Signum Saxophone Quartet, photo: Anna Tena Drawing liberally on classical, jazz and American traditional music, Leonard Bernstein’s work is currently experiencing a real renaissance. This is partly due to a recent biographical film (promoted in Poland by Jakub Józef Orlinski at the Warsaw Philharmonic) about the composer’s emotional life. Hence the evening of Valentine’s Day (whether you celebrate it or not) is worth spending with Bernstein’s vibrant, passionate and witty music. In addition, suites from his famous stage works, the operetta Candide and the musical West Side Story, will be orchestrated by none other than the composer’s student and later collaborator and friend Eiji Oue. The evening’s programme will also feature the fascinating attempt made by Malcolm Bolcom at the end of the twentieth century to transfer the Baroque concerto grosso form to contemporary music. In the group of soloists – called the concertina – the American composer placed an unusual ensemble of four saxophonists. It might seem that the most romantic accent of our Valentine’s Day concert will be the suite from Dominick Argent’s opera The Dream of Valentino. However, the opera’s libretto refers not to the patron saint of lovers, but to the famous Hollywood actor, dancer and romantic lead of the silent film era, Rudolph Valentino.

Echo Rising Stars with clarinet

With phenomenal attention to both detail and musical entirety, Carlos Ferreira has positioned himself as one of the most exciting young clarinet stars. In fierce competition, he clinched the coveted soloist prize at the 2021 Mecklenburg Festival, and after serving as alternate principal clarinetist in the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, he has now been appointed as principal clarinetist in the prestigious Orchestre National de France.Alongside Portuguese pianist and composer Pedro Emanuel Pereira, he presents a diverse programme on his Rising Stars tour, ranging from Leonard Bernstein's Sonata and Joseph Horovitz's warm-hearted and entertaining Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano, to music by participating pianist Pereira and French composer Charles-Marie Widor.Additionally, there's a brand-new piece by Chinese composer Lanqing Ding, commissioned by ECHO in collaboration with Casa da Música Porto, Fundação Gulbenkian Lisbon, and The Sage Gateshead – which also nominated Carlos Ferreira for Rising Stars.Rising Stars is a unique and forward-looking collaboration between 24 of Europe’s leading concert halls, all members of the European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO). A handful of young musicians and ensembles from various countries are selected each year and given the opportunity to tour the concert halls and perform before international audiences. Experience shows that those who are selected as Rising Stars also have internationally successful careers.

Guest performance Rhapsody & Rhythm

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.

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.

Benefizkonzert des Bundespräsidenten

Das WDR Sinfonieorchester gestaltet in diesem Jahr das Benefizkonzert des Bundespräsidenten. Die Konzertreihe, mit deren Erlöse soziale und kulturelle Organisationen unterstützt werden, wird seit 1988 alljährlich ausgerichtet – von 1988 bis 2005 in Berlin und seit 2006 reihum in den Bundesländern. Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier und Ministerpräsident Hendrik Wüst haben entschieden, mit dem Erlös des Konzerts 2025 die Elly Heuss-Knapp-Stiftung – Deutsches Müttergenesungswerk zu unterstützen. Mit Vorsorge- und Rehabilitationsmaßnahmen möchte die Stiftung Mütter, Väter und pflegende Angehörige in ihrer Gesundheit stärken. Alle Eintrittskarten für das Benefizkonzert des Bundespräsidenten enthalten eine Spende für die Elly Heuss-Knapp-Stiftung.Musikalisch schlägt das Konzert in diesem Jahr einen bunten Bogen von Europa bis in die USA durch verschiedene Kulturen. George Enescu brachte den Schwung rumänischer Volksmusik in die Klassik, Maurice Ravel gelang mit großem Farbenreichtum ein sinnlich-exotischer Ausflug in die Märchenwelt von Tausendundeiner Nacht. Auf atemberaubende Weise verdichtet Erich Korngold verschiedenste Klangfarben und Stimmungen in seinem Cellokonzert, welches ursprünglich als Hollywood-Filmmusik komponiert wurde. Der Ausklang kommt aus den Straßen New Yorks mit Leonard Bernsteins lateinamerikanisch inspirierten Rhythmen aus der »West Side Story«.Als Gäste des WDR Sinfonieorchesters und seines Chefdirigenten Cristian Măcelaru sind die ägyptische Sopranistin Fatma Said und Spitzen-Cellist Sebastian Hornung zu erleben. Durch das Konzert führt Moderatorin Siham El-Maimouni. Im Anschluss an das Konzert bitten Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier und Ministerpräsident Hendrik Wüst alle Konzertgäste zu einer Begegnung in die Foyers der Kölner Philharmonie.

Orchestre de Paris / Holly Hyun Choe

The vibrant classicism of Strauss, the leaping energy of a Bernstein more “Broadway” than ever, the serenity of Saariaho and the most jolly of Shostakovich’s Symphonies... a program with four faces of joy.

Shani, Ólafsson · Adams, Bernstein

Shani, Ólafsson · Adams, Bernstein

Fazil Say Kazuki Yamada City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Fazil Say, a genre-bending oriental storyteller and pianist, has captivated audiences and critics for almost 30 years. Known for his exceptional improvisational talent, unconventional interpretations, and blend of classical, jazz, and Turkish folk music, Say's performances are described as direct, open, and exciting. He will be performing with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the direction of its new chief conductor, Kazuki Yamada, playing works by Berlioz and Ravel.

Mahler Festival: Song recital Alma Mahler and friends

For four days, the Recital Hall is dedicated to Mahler's most beautiful songs. A special recital is dedicated to his wife Alma, combining pieces by her with those by friends. Perhaps today's most important Lieder accompanist, pianist Julius Drake, flanks his favourite vocalists during all these concerts. Today you will hear French soprano Axelle Fanyo, a 'true storyteller' according to Forum Opéra. She shares the stage with one of the greatest Dutch talents, baritone Raoul Steffani.Austrian Alma Maria Schindler was introduced to her future husband, Gustav Mahler, by her composition teacher Zemlinsky. Under Mahler's name, she would become known - but never primarily as a composer. Mahler did not want his wife to write any more music, and Alma herself also had doubts about her work. Although most of it has been lost, her late-romantic, often melancholic songs are still widely performed. Here today in the Recital Hall, they alternate with pieces by friends and acquaintances. Axelle Fanyo and Raoul Steffani perform songs by Ernst Krenek, Mahler's son-in-law. You will also hear works by Berg, Korngold and Stravinsky.

Neojiba Orquestra Juvenil da Bahia / Guido Sant’Anna / Ricardo Castro

By way of a prelude, the orchestra brings a work from its home country to the stage: Carlos Gomes is regarded as the most important Brazilian composer of the Romantic period. The orchestral prelude with the beautiful title »Alvorada« – Dawn – is from his opera »Lo schiavo« about the love between a slave girl and the son of a landowner. The programme continues from here – with a slight detour via Finland – to Mexico, Argentina and the USA. By way of a prelude, the orchestra brings a work from its home country to the stage: Carlos Gomes is regarded as the most important Brazilian composer of the Romantic period. The orchestral prelude with the beautiful title »Alvorada« – Dawn – is from his opera »Lo schiavo« about the love between a slave girl and the son of a landowner. The programme continues from here – with a slight detour via Finland – to Mexico, Argentina and the USA. Aaron Copland was inspired by a dance hall in Mexico City to write his orchestral work »El salón México«, in which two drunken bassoons make an appearance. Alberto Ginastera, on the other hand, combined Argentinian folklore and modern harmony in the suite from his ballet »Estancia«. And Leonard Bernstein’s »Symphonic Dances« from the famous »West Side Story« are also set to bring plenty of momentum in the Grand Hall. Jean Sibelius’ famous violin concerto, featuring the up-and-coming 19-year-old Brazilian Guido Sant’Anna as the soloist, then takes the audience off to some entirely different (sound) worlds.

Arthur & Lucas Jussen Youth Orchestra of Bahia Spirit of South America

When Ricardo Castro conducts the Youth Orchestra of Bahia, one recalls the performances of the Simón Bolívar Orchestra under Gustavo Dudamel. Inspired by "El Sistema," Castro brought the Venezuelan music program to Brazil in 2007, creating NEOJIBA. The youth orchestra performs Latin American music worldwide, including Antônio Carlos Gomes's "Alvorada." The Dutch brothers Arthur and Lucas Jussen play "Nazareno." After Bernstein's dances from "West Side Story," there will be no stopping. A child-friendly introduction is available.

Neojiba & The Jussen Brothers: Golijov, Bernstein and more

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!

Orchestre Neojiba / Ricardo Castro

End-of-season concert: “Latin-American night” Gustavo Dudamel at the Waldbühne

Summer, energy, passion – Gustavo Dudamel and the Berliner Philharmoniker invite you to a Latin American night at the Waldbühne. The Venezuelan conductor performed at this venue back in 2008 under the motto Los ritmos de la noche. It was his debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker, and was met with great acclaim by the audience. Dudamel now celebrates the end of the season with the orchestra in the open air for the fourth time. The programme will include rousing dances from Bernstein’s musical West Side Story, in which Latin American sounds and rhythms are all-pervasive.