Best of Classics: Romeo and Juliet

abgeFRACKt: Romeo and Juliet

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: Berlioz Fantastique

Are you in the mood for drama, love, and a little bit of madness? Hector Berlioz invites you on an emotional rollercoaster ride with his "Symphonie fantastique"! This masterpiece is like a movie without a screen – everything happens in your mind. Berlioz tells the story of a young artist who is hopelessly in love. His emotions range in all directions: from romantic infatuation to wild jealousy to dark nightmares. The music is explosive, imaginative, and full of surprises. A highlight: the "Witches' Sabbath", where Berlioz pushes the boundaries of music and stages an eerie sound festival. The orchestra becomes a tool of pure emotion – from delicate harp sounds to thundering drums.

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.

Best of Classics: Mozart Piano Concerto

Mozart's Piano Concerto in D minor is one of his most exciting works and, even 200 years after its creation, has lost none of its power. The key of D minor alone shows that this is not about light entertainment. This music tells of great emotions: drama, longing, and passion. He wrote the concerto at a time when he was exploring new paths with his music and bravely experimenting. Particularly impressive is the dialogue between the piano and the orchestra - sometimes they are adversaries, sometimes they merge together. The melodies are so captivating that they became famous even back then and still move people today. At the beginning, Malte Arkona introduces the concerto, and afterwards, you can ask your own questions during the After Concert Talk. So, a concert that not only allows you to listen but also to participate - an experience for all the senses!

Romeo and Juliet

The Jussen brothers made a splash at Konserthuset in 2023 when they debuted with a program for four-handed piano. "Something quite extraordinary in front of a packed hall with an unusually young audience," wrote the reviewer for Dagens Nyheter, giving the concert the highest rating.Now, the Jussen brothers return to the main stage, this time alongside the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Tabita Berglund in Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos. It’s music that carries Poulenc's signature: elegance, melodic warmth, and imagination.The pair of Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare's drama are themselves the epitome of young love and intense, flaming passion with a tragic ending. With powerful chords and dramatic melodies, Prokofiev's well-known ballet music portrays the swirling emotions.Between Poulenc and Prokofiev: Lili Boulanger's D'un soir triste, a sad evening, which from a quiet beginning grows strong and compelling. Outstanding and deeply personal music by the young and severely ill Lili, who died of Crohn's disease shortly after writing the music in 1918.

Romeo and Juliet

The Jussen brothers made a splash at Konserthuset in 2023 when they debuted with a program for four-handed piano. "Something quite extraordinary in front of a packed hall with an unusually young audience," wrote the reviewer for Dagens Nyheter, giving the concert the highest rating.Now, the Jussen brothers return to the main stage, this time alongside the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Tabita Berglund in Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos. It’s music that carries Poulenc's signature: elegance, melodic warmth, and imagination.The pair of Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare's drama are themselves the epitome of young love and intense, flaming passion with a tragic ending. With powerful chords and dramatic melodies, Prokofiev's well-known ballet music portrays the swirling emotions.Between Poulenc and Prokofiev: Lili Boulanger's D'un soir triste, a sad evening, which from a quiet beginning grows strong and compelling. Outstanding and deeply personal music by the young and severely ill Lili, who died of Crohn's disease shortly after writing the music in 1918.

Romeo and Juliet

"John Neumeier’s Shakespeare adaptation has over time become a classic. After numerous revivals and revisions, the ballet has not lost any of its freshness. Once again, one is overwhelmed by the tragic passion of youth." Die Welt Music: Serge Prokofieff Choreography and Staging: John Neumeier Set and Costumes: Jürgen Rose 3 hours | 2 intermissions Part 1: 60 minutes, Part 2: 30 minutes, Part 3: 45 minutes PREMIERE: Frankfurt Ballet, Frankfurt, February 14, 1971 PREMIERE IN HAMBURG: The Hamburg Ballett, January 6, 1974 PREMIERE NEW VERSION IN HAMBURG: The Hamburg Ballet, December 23, 1981 ORIGINAL CAST: Juliet: Marianne Kruuse Romeo: Truman Finney Mercutio: Max Midinet Tybalt: Fred Howald Benvolio: Maximo Barra Lady Capulet: Beatrice Cordua Lord Capulet: Paul Herbinger Paris: Ricardo Duse Brother Lorenzo: Stephan Mettin The Nurse: Gertrud Schmitz ON TOUR: 1996 Genoa 2006 Cagliari 2016 Baden-Baden 2025 Venice IN THE REPERTORY: Royal Danish Ballet The Tokyo Ballet