abgeFRACKt: Symphony of Fate

Best of Classics: Tchaikovsky 6

In our "Best of Classical" short concerts, you will immerse yourself in the most famous works of classical music. At the beginning, Malte Arkona briefly introduces the work and provides listening tips. Afterwards, you can fully enjoy the music. Then we invite you to the bar at the Kulturpalast. There, our host will have a conversation with the conductor on a small stage. It's not about musicology - rather, it's about the guest's personal view on the music. Let yourself be surprised! About the concert: The audience did not expect so much sobbing and sighing when Tchaikovsky's Sixth and final Symphony premiered in 1893. Even for pathos-loving Russians, this was unusual. But they understood that the composer was addressing profound themes: pain, farewell, death, and that he wanted to convey something that could also bring comfort. Today, this symphony is one of the most well-known and beloved of the 19th century overall, and it should be noted that it also contains cheerful, uplifting passages.

Best of Classics: Beethoven 7

In the concerts of the series "Best of Classical Music," you will hear the most famous works of classical music. A brief introduction at the beginning will guide you through the piece and provide listening tips. The entire work will then be performed. Afterwards, we would be happy to welcome you to our bar on the 1st floor, where our host will meet with the conductor for an artist talk. This conversation will not be strictly academic - rather, we aim to take you into the personal world of our guests. About the concert: One of the unsolved mysteries of music history, a fast tempo, and a motif of death. All this and much more is contained in Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, which many consider to be his most cheerful and positive. It is no wonder, as the first movement already features dance-like rhythms, and in the final movement, the musicians really go all out. Some parts of the first movement resemble a Mozart symphony so much, even though Beethoven was not familiar with it, that one suspects a different influence. But what is it? That remains a secret to this day. The slow movement is also mysterious, with a haunting motif that evokes sadness and death. It is not easily forgotten.

Best of Classics: The Rite of Spring

In the concerts of the series "Best of Classical Music," you will hear the most famous works of classical music. A brief introduction by a moderator at the beginning will provide insights into the piece and offer listening tips. Following this, the entire work will be performed. Afterwards, we would be happy to welcome you to our bar on the 1st floor, where our moderator will engage in an artist talk with the conductor. This conversation is not strictly academic - rather, we aim to take you into the personal world of our guests. About the concert: Twenty woodwinds, eight horns, five trumpets, three trombones, two tubas, five timpani, and a large percussion section alone would be enough to fill an entire football stadium with sound! In Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring," the strings are added to the mix. However, they are not there to make noise but to play one of the most famous ballet scores of the 20th century. During its premiere in 1913, the audience was outraged and left the hall with boos. Once a scandal, this piece is now indispensable in the concert hall.

Our chief conductor conducts the "Fate Symphony"

Beethoven’s works »give everyone an optimistic mood, elevate them out of loneliness, grief, bundle their strengths scattered in day-to-day life and make them imagine what they were actually born to do«. This is the way Beethoven’s music was once described. As a benefit for the spirit, we have two of his wonderful emotional creations: The »Coriolan« Overture from 1807 is a sonorous monument full of »reflecting poetry« and entwines itself around the story of a tragic hero exiled from his homeland. One year later, he wrote his Fifth Symphony, with its many twists and turns leading up to its final triumph – whose name, »Fate Symphony«, was not coined by him. But because of its ingenious »per aspera ad astra« spirit, it certainly matches his words: »I will reach into the jaws of fate, it shall certainly not bow me down.« Both the famous motif from the Fifth and references to the »Coriolan« overture appear in the exciting work, »subito con forza«: The South Korean Unsuk Chin composed it in 2020 on the occasion of the Beethoven Year – and was inspired for it by Beethoven‘s wavering states of mind and a line from his conversation books: »Major and minor. I am a winner.« Martinůs second symphony was written in 1943 in America, where terrible news such as the brutal annihilation of the village of Lidice reached him from his dearly missed homeland. Melancholic overtones testify to his pain, but otherwise the work, including a quote from the »Marseillaise«, is widely life-affirming – possibly because of what he believed: »Music should always be full of joy, even if it is tragic.«

Our chief conductor conducts the "Fate Symphony"

Beethoven’s works »give everyone an optimistic mood, elevate them out of loneliness, grief, bundle their strengths scattered in day-to-day life and make them imagine what they were actually born to do«. This is the way Beethoven’s music was once described. As a benefit for the spirit, we have two of his wonderful emotional creations: The »Coriolan« Overture from 1807 is a sonorous monument full of »reflecting poetry« and entwines itself around the story of a tragic hero exiled from his homeland. One year later, he wrote his Fifth Symphony, with its many twists and turns leading up to its final triumph – whose name, »Fate Symphony«, was not coined by him. But because of its ingenious »per aspera ad astra« spirit, it certainly matches his words: »I will reach into the jaws of fate, it shall certainly not bow me down.« Both the famous motif from the Fifth and references to the »Coriolan« overture appear in the exciting work, »subito con forza«: The South Korean Unsuk Chin composed it in 2020 on the occasion of the Beethoven Year – and was inspired for it by Beethoven‘s wavering states of mind and a line from his conversation books: »Major and minor. I am a winner.« Martinůs second symphony was written in 1943 in America, where terrible news such as the brutal annihilation of the village of Lidice reached him from his dearly missed homeland. Melancholic overtones testify to his pain, but otherwise the work, including a quote from the »Marseillaise«, is widely life-affirming – possibly because of what he believed: »Music should always be full of joy, even if it is tragic.«

Long Night of the Theaters: Concerts!

Attention: Tickets for this event will be available at a later date through the 'Long Night of the Theaters'. Recorder? Anyone can play it! How wrong this prejudice is becomes evident at a concert with Dorothee Oberlinger. She conjures sounds from the small instrument with a virtuosity that is unforgettable. In our concert, she will perform, among other pieces, the one by Terry Riley, which essentially introduced Minimal Music to the world. A music that can create an incredible pull with just a few notes. But one can also hardly resist the pull of the flute, especially when played by Marianna Julia Zolnacz, our new solo flutist. A musical celebration for flute fans and those who could become one!

Long Night of the Theaters: Concerts!

Attention: Tickets for this event will be available at a later date through the 'Long Night of the Theaters'.

abFRACKt: Piano to the power of two

FAMILY CONCERT: JURI’S QUEST FOR THE MELODY OF FATE

JURI’S QUEST FOR THE SYMPHONY OF FATE