Origins

Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine

It takes some confidence to dedicate a sacred work personally to the Pope. But Claudio Monteverdi was keen to reach as large an audience as possible when he published his »Vespro della Beata Vergine« in 1610. With the work, he sought to express all the facets of his compositional prowess, and the »Vespers for the Blessed Virgin« remains one of the greatest works of sacred music to this day. In 13 movements, Monteverdi demonstrates his mastery and his ability to integrate all the contrasting stylistic influences of his time into one diverse whole. The six-strong Flemish instrumental ensemble Les Cornets Noirs specialises in the music of Monteverdi’s time. Together with the singers of the Delectus Cantionum ensemble, they present a historically informed and musically expressive performance of this legendary work.

PHANTASM

Eccentric Englishmen: Works for Viol Consort by Tye, Locke, Lawes, and Purcell

Saxos

‘Why take up with Plato when a saxophone can equally let us glimpse another world?’ Cioran once said. The musicians of Keybart reveal to us not one world but four—each on a different instrument.

Musikkollegium Winterthur / Sergio Azzolini / Bogdan Božović

The bassoon »paints in particular the objects of sad tenderness«. This was written in 1807. Yes, the instrument also has its lyrical side, which can bubble in the depths and nasalise in the high register; it is just as capable of frenzied fluency as it is of heartfelt singability. Hardly anyone realises these rich possibilities of the instrument more beautifully than Sergio Azzolini, who has been setting standards in the world of the (baroque) bassoon for decades, not only as an outstanding soloist but also as a professor in Basel.

Vivaldi: Die Vier Jahreszeiten

So much can be captured: what is known as early music (literally, »old music« in German) has long since no longer only been in the hands of the old guard, who did important pioneering work. More and more young artists, trained in specialised degree programmes, are flocking onto the stages of this world to revive the music of the past few centuries in fresh interpretations. One of the current stars on this scene is French baroque violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte, who – following his performance in the Elbphilharmonie »Fast Lane« series – you can now experience with his own ensemble Le Consort. On the programme is one work that needs no introduction: Antonio Vivaldi’s »Four Seasons«. The collection of four violin concertos portraying the seasons is one of the earliest and most famous examples of programme music – and surely one of the most popular works of all in the history of music. De Swarte now skilfully combines it in his programme with other concertos and overtures by Vivaldi and his contemporaries – and so makes the seasons appear in a new guise.

»The Art of Being Human«

Human existence is a contradictory business. »The Art of Being Human« explores the complex impacts of this trite fact. The Grammy award-winning viola da gamba ensemble Phantasm thereby ensures a musical performance at the very highest level. Its members put their instrumental mastery into operation for an evening in which old sounds and contemporary dance blend into an inseparable unit and jointly try to fathom the darkest recesses of the human condition. Choreographer Sommer Ulrickson and allround visual artist Alexander Polzin create a multidisciplinary framework in which music and movement come together, connect with each other, hook into each other, collide and cross fertilise. Under the leadership of Laurence Dreyfus, Phantasm plays music of English masters, such as John Dowland, Henry Purcell and William Byrd. At the same time, the musicians interact in the most diverse way with the dancers, who move as partners and yet adversaries around sculptures by the Berlin artist Alexander Polzin. The result is a staged concert evening, which makes full use of the potential of this currently popular format!

Countertenor Alexander Chance sings Purcell

For lovers of chamber music the Recital Hall is the venue of choice. You can hear the musicians breathe and you can practically touch them. This hall is also cherished by musicians for its beautiful acoustics and direct contact with the audience. In the Recital Hall you can hear the best musicians of our time. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Recital Hall for yourself!

Pearls in Baroque: The French Connection of Purcell

Max Volbers "Dance and Firework"

Max Volbers, a recorder virtuoso, studied under Dorothee Oberlinger. He plays a variety of recorders, calling them the "Flauto Dolce" family. His colorful programs, often with his own arrangements, are performed with harpsichordist Alexander von Heißen. A post-concert artist talk with Daniel Finkernagel is included. Registration is required for the "Sunday Matinee Plus" for seniors.