John Williams conducts John Williams

John Williams conducts John Williams

What would films like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones or Harry Potter be without his extraordinary music? John Williams, superstar of American film music, gave all these blockbusters their unmistakable sound. His soundtracks provide so much more than catchy tunes; they lend depth and nuance to both stories and characters. In 2021, John Williams made his debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker, leading the audience through the cosmos of his work. This season brings a new opportunity to hear him conduct his own music: a major event, not just for film fans.

John Williams conducts John Williams

What would films like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones or Harry Potter be without his extraordinary music? John Williams, superstar of American film music, gave all these blockbusters their unmistakable sound. His soundtracks provide so much more than catchy tunes; they lend depth and nuance to both stories and characters. In 2021, John Williams made his debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker, leading the audience through the cosmos of his work. This season brings a new opportunity to hear him conduct his own music: a major event, not just for film fans.

The Best of John Williams

An awe-inspiring concert celebrating the iconic scores of John Williams, including music from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Jurassic Park and many more.

Oramo conducts Vaughan Williams

England’s dreaming: Sakari Oramo rediscovers rare and wonderful British masterpieces by Vaughan Williams, Doreen Carwithen and Malcolm Arnold.

Cancellation: The Music of John Williams

Cancellation: The Music of John Williams

John Luther Adams: Become Ocean

»Life on our planet developed in water. If the polar ice caps melt and the sea level rises, it will end up in the water again.« Based on this simple yet harrowing prediction about the future of humanity, Alaskan composer and environmental activist John Luther Adams wrote his opulent orchestral piece »Become Ocean«, which won a Pulitzer Prize and a Grammy. Hardly any other work could be better suited to the motto of the Hamburg International Music Festival – »Future«. It will be performed by one of the best orchestras for new music, the Basel Sinfonietta under its chief conductor Titus Engel. It is preceded by one of the most rousing piano concertos of the 21st century, premiered at the 2019 London Proms. The Swiss composer Dieter Ammann once again proves himself to be an accomplished composer who is just as happy incorporating influences from his past in funk and jazz bands as he is elements from early modern music. At the piano: Andreas Haeflinger, whose first performance of the work in Boston in 2019 was hailed as an »elemental event« – both here and at a subsequent performance in Lucerne.

John Cage: Music and Dance

John Cage was a free spirit, a pioneer and revolutionary who turned the way his contemporaries saw music upside down. In humorous happenings and numerous appearances on popular TV shows, he surprised audiences with everyday objects and incorporated squeaky ducks, watering cans and pressure cookers into his works. A completely new approach! His best-known piece »4’33’’« doesn’t have a single note: 4 minutes and 33 seconds of tense silence – that too, according to Cage, is music. At the Hamburg International Music Festival, celebrated pianist Bertrand Chamayou performs legendary Cage pieces with dance accompaniment in »Cage²«. In the late 1930s, the accomplished pianist Cage was experimenting with the expressive possibilities of his instrument, kitting out his piano with screws and erasers that he inserted between the strings. Cage soon after used the resulting percussion-like sound when the dancer Syvilla Fort commissioned him in 1940 to compose incidental music for her choreographies, where rhythm was to play a central role. The unusual combination of primed piano and dance was so successful that more commissions from other dancers followed as a result. For »Cage²«, Bertrand Chamayou is bringing this music back to the stage again. The album of the same name, which was released in May 2024, received universal acclaim. »Impeccable” was the verdict from Gramophone magazine, while the Guardian wrote: » Chamayou’s performance of all of them, each complex rhythm razor sharp, every phrase perfectly articulated, is exemplary. It’s a fabulous disc, a true revelation.« All the more reason to be delighted with the addition of choreography to the phenomenal music on stage.

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams

At the film music concert "The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams", the audience will experience the musical highlights of both composers live. Touching melodies from "The Lion King", "Harry Potter", "Inception", "Star Wars", and other films come to life thanks to the Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, conducted by Chuhei Iwasaki. This special concert evening, moderated by Daniel Boschmann, offers truly excellent listening experience and unites film fans and music lovers.