Jewish Chamber Orchestra Hamburg

Jewish Chamber Orchestra Hamburg

The Jewish spring festival of Passover is not only a religious festival, but above all a cultural event that celebrates renewal and freedom. In keeping with this, the Jewish Chamber Orchestra Hamburg (JCOHH) is opening its new concert series »BÜSCHEN MESCHUGGE« under the motto »Hope. Blossom. A new beginning.«

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano

Snow, rain, or sunshine? The weather is unpredictable. A shrill wind blows, as if everything wants to reshuffle for a fair start into the new.

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano

In this concert, which concludes Kent Nagano’s ten-year tenure as General Music Director, two essential strands of his concert dramaturgy for Hamburg come together. On the one hand the reference back to tradition, and the Hamburg-based composer Johannes Brahms to be precise, whose four symphonies have been performed by the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra both in its Hamburg concerts and on tour in recent years. And then sounds of the present day, in the form of pioneering world premieres. A brief review conjures up performances of Widmann’s ARCHE, Dusapin’s »Waves«, and Shepherd’s »On a Clear Day«, to name just a few outstanding new works. This concert – a crowning finale and farewell at the same time – sees the premiere of a new symphony by the young Argentinian composer Alex Nante, in his inimitably dreamlike, spiritual sound language.

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano

In this concert, which concludes Kent Nagano’s ten-year tenure as General Music Director, two essential strands of his concert dramaturgy for Hamburg come together. On the one hand the reference back to tradition, and the Hamburg-based composer Johannes Brahms to be precise, whose four symphonies have been performed by the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra both in its Hamburg concerts and on tour in recent years. And then sounds of the present day, in the form of pioneering world premieres. A brief review conjures up performances of Widmann’s ARCHE, Dusapin’s »Waves«, and Shepherd’s »On a Clear Day«, to name just a few outstanding new works. This concert – a crowning finale and farewell at the same time – sees the premiere of a new symphony by the young Argentinian composer Alex Nante, in his inimitably dreamlike, spiritual sound language.

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Nils Mönkemeyer / Kent Nagano

The Russian composer Vladimir Tarnopolski is certainly no stranger to contemporary music. His works have been performed at many major festivals over recent decades. He has received various prizes and released many of his works on CD. As a professor of composition at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, he has also passed on his knowledge to a whole generation of young composers. »Im Dunkel vor der Dämmerung« (»In the Dark before Dawn«) is the title of a new work commissioned by the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra and premiered in this concert. »Sinfonia Eroica« was the title Ludwig van Beethoven gave his third symphony in 1804, a »heroic symphony composed to celebrate the memory of a great man«. Whether or not this »great man« was to be little Napoleon? At first it was, in all likelihood. But Beethoven probably decided to leave out any corresponding dedication, since the Corsican’s personal coronation as emperor was, in the composer’s eyes, a bitter betrayal of the republican ideas of the French Enlightenment. Was Beethoven himself perhaps the hero? An innovator in the context of music history? Whatever the answer, he certainly breaks new ground with his »Eroica«.

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Nils Mönkemeyer / Kent Nagano

The Russian composer Vladimir Tarnopolski is certainly no stranger to contemporary music. His works have been performed at many major festivals over recent decades. He has received various prizes and released many of his works on CD. As a professor of composition at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, he has also passed on his knowledge to a whole generation of young composers. »Im Dunkel vor der Dämmerung« (»In the Dark before Dawn«) is the title of a new work commissioned by the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra and premiered in this concert. »Sinfonia Eroica« was the title Ludwig van Beethoven gave his third symphony in 1804, a »heroic symphony composed to celebrate the memory of a great man«. Whether or not this »great man« was to be little Napoleon? At first it was, in all likelihood. But Beethoven probably decided to leave out any corresponding dedication, since the Corsican’s personal coronation as emperor was, in the composer’s eyes, a bitter betrayal of the republican ideas of the French Enlightenment. Was Beethoven himself perhaps the hero? An innovator in the context of music history? Whatever the answer, he certainly breaks new ground with his »Eroica«.

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano

The programme for the 6th Philharmonic Concert includes a world premiere that reflects our times. Jörg Widmann, who has been in close artistic contact with Kent Nagano, particularly since the great success of his ARCHE for the opening of the Elbphilharmonie, has recently written a decidedly peaceful work in view of the global wars: »Cantata in tempore belli«. Jens Harzer takes on the role of narrator. Ida Aldrian sings the alto part.

Chamber Orchestra – Arabella Steinbacher

Chamber Orchestra – Renaud Capuçon