Best of Classics: Berlioz Fantastique

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.

Best of Classics: Romeo and Juliet

"Romeo and Juliet" is known by almost everyone. It's no wonder, as the famous love drama by Shakespeare has been "translated" into various art forms over the centuries: from musicals to operas to purely orchestral music. The Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev succeeded in this with his ballet music in an outstanding way. After a short initial failure, it is now considered one of the best musical adaptations of the story. This is clearly due to its quality! Not only ballet enthusiasts, but also the concert audience couldn't get enough of it - on one hand, the melting melodies, and on the other hand, the dynamic dances, sometimes outrageously virtuosic, sometimes thrilling with their powerful rhythms. At the beginning of the concert, Malte Arkona briefly introduces the piece, and afterwards, he speaks in the After Concert Talk with the artists of the evening about what makes "Romeo and Juliet" so exciting for them.

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!

Best of Classical: Schubert "Great C Major"

In the 19th century, one was considered a "true" composer if they wrote symphonies. Franz Schubert had composed several symphonies before his "Great" one, but they were either short or unfinished. He was known as a composer of songs who occasionally wrote something else. With his Symphony in C major (the "Great" one, as there is also a "Little" one), he wanted to change that perception. And he succeeded, big time! With a length of approximately one hour, it was already something special in his time, and musically it stands out from all the other symphonies of his era. The solemn tone of the horns at the beginning, the grand musical arcs and thrilling melodies, the sophisticated use of instruments, and the sudden dissonances make this work one of the most significant symphonies of the 19th century. Malte Arkona briefly introduces the work at the beginning. Following the concert, you can join him and the conductor Miguel Sepúlveda for an artist talk in the foyer of the 1st floor.

Pablo Heras-Casado conducts Berlioz’ Symphonie fantastique

The Sunday Morning Concert brings you wonderful and much-loved compositions, performed by top musicians from the Netherlands and abroad. Enjoy the most beautiful music in the morning! You can make your Sunday complete by enjoying a delicious post-concert lunch in restaurant LIER.The Royal Concertgebouw is one of the best concert halls in the world, famous for its exceptional acoustics and varied programme. Attend a concert and have an experience you will never forget. Come and enjoy inspiring music in the beautiful surroundings of the Main Hall or the intimate Recital Hall.

Best of Tchaikovsky

Best of Tchaikovsky