Thomas Quasthoff Quartet

Thomas Quasthoff Quartet

When Thomas Quasthoff brings his new programme »For You« to life, he is above all one thing – absolutely authentic. Quasthoff has a sure sense for the most suitable style of what he sings. This applies to opera arias, art and folk songs as well as jazz, pop and soul. He has long since proven that, as a classical singer with an enormously versatile bass-baritone, he can also master genres rooted in the African-American musical tradition. And so what one so appreciates about Quasthoff as a recital singer also becomes a golden rule for everything else. How the bass-baritone lives up to his claim of really touching people with his voice is made clear by the enthusiastic audience reactions and the praises of the press. He is joined by three excellent jazz musicians: Dieter Ilg is characterised by his electrifying vitality, intelligent curiosity, technical brilliance and total devotion to the moment. Wolfgang Haffner is Germany’s best-known drummer – with an unparalleled career that extends far beyond jazz. Simon Oslender is the youngest member of the band – once entering the scene as a »prodigy on the Hammond organ«, the now 24-year-old is considered one of the »rising stars« of the German music scene on piano, organ and keyboards.

Thomas Quasthoff & Friends

Thomas Quasthoff, the internationally renowned bass-baritone, has bid farewell to classical music after half a century. Now, he's pursuing his passion for jazz with friends. He focuses on the joy of music. Performing with his top-tier band, he interprets American Songbook classics, captivating audiences with his passion.

Amatis Piano Trio / Thomas Quasthoff

The horrors of the First World War have often been described in literature. Books such as Erich Maria Remarque’s »All Quiet on the Western Front« speak of the brutality of trench warfare and the deadening effect of being surrounded by death. However, there are also more optimistic accounts, such as the Christmas truce when enemies laid down their weapons and sang carols together. With his legendary baritone voice, Thomas Quasthoff reads from First World War letters and diaries. In alternation, the award-winning young Amatis Piano Trio performs excerpts from the Romantic and modern chamber music repertoire, reflecting the mood of the individual texts. Young soldiers of various nationalities are represented, as are relatives writing to the front from back home. The texts bear witness to the barbarism of war, and to youthful blue-eyed enthusiasm turning into disillusionment and horror in the face of the bloody reality. But they also reveal humanity and mutual respect – even between enemies. The stories speak of individual fates and give a face to the bare figures. They are accompanied by slow movements from piano trios by composers such as Schubert and Shostakovich, who composed his Piano Trio No. 2 while mourning the death of a friend in the Second World War. Works such as Korngold’s »Dogberry and Verges – March of the Watch«, which caricature the initial enthusiasm of young soldiers for war, lighten the mood.

Edmar Castaneda Quartet

Edmar Castaneda has collaborated with a seemingly endless list of legends, sharing the virtuosic sound of his harp with giants such as Sting, John Scofield and Paco De Lucía, and playing with exceptional musicians such as the Japanese pianist Hiromi and the American banjo master Béla Fleck. The Columbian musician now comes to the Elbphilharmonie with his quartet led by singer Andrea Tierra. For Edmar Castaneda, who was born in Bogotá in 1978, his musical talent is a gift from god, which he wants to share with the world. But it is also a talent that was passed down to him from his father, a famous harpist and singer in Columbia. At the age of 13, Edmar Castaneda began playing the harp and the Latin American guitar cuatro, the standard instruments for joropo, a type of music and dance that originally comes from Venezuela. Since the mid-1990s, the Columbian musician has been living in New York, where he has made a name for himself with his symphonic harp sound and a blend of South American folk, flamenco and jazz.

Branford Marsalis Quartet & Friends

Saxophonist and composer Branford Marsalis has been a fixture in jazz for decades. He is also a sought-after classical soloist with acclaimed orchestras around the world and his legendary guest performances with the Grateful Dead and collaborations with Sting have made him a fan favorite in the pop arena. The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, has established a rare breadth of stylistic range and is revered for its uncompromising interpretation of both original compositions and jazz and popular classics. The Quartet is now joined by 7 excellent Hungarian musicians to perform songs based on Hungarian Folk Music. Marsalis knew he was not interested in simply adding »jazz« chords to folk songs noting that »the chords, the harmonies are perfect as they are. They have just the right emotional impact.« The project was commissioned by Müpa and first premiered in Budapest, where it was immediately praised as a success.

Thomas Oliemans & Olga Pashchenko: Schubert, Wolf & Shostakovich

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!

Thomas Hampson and Ksenija Sidorova: Schubert's Winterreise

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!

Barbican Quartet

The Barbican Quartet was founded in 2015, and is taught and supported by string quartet stars like Günter Picheler and the Quatuor Ébène. The four musicians present works by Alban Berg and Beethoven as part of the »Teatime Classics« series. 2022 was a memorable year for the Barbican Quartet: they won first prize and other special prizes at the ARD Music Competition, as well as a third prize at the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition. The ensemble had only just found a new second violinist, and thus a new sound and style of ensemble playing, in February 2022. The Barbican Quartet has appeared at many international festivals, and has been broadcast on the radio several times. In the 2022/23 season, they produced and released their first CD. An extensive tour will take them to different parts of Europe, to Canada and the USA.

Critics’ Quartet

Moderated by Olaf Wilhelmer, four critics will once again discuss a central work this year: in 2024 it will be Aaron Copland’s 3rd Symphony.The “Critics’ Quartet” takes place instead of the usual introduction to the concert with the Kansas City Symphony conducted by Matthias Pintscher.

Belcea Quartet