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Michelangelo String Quartet & Friends
Laeiszhalle, Kleiner Saal (Hamburg)
Michelangelo String Quartet
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Michelangelo String Quartet
A breathtaking musical journey that shows in a folkloristic and cheerful way the musical bridges that connect Bach and other classical European icons with the most beautiful Latin American rhythms. The concert begins with Bach and ends with him. In between, the musicians show the full richness of Latin American music.
British trumpet player Matilda Lloyd looks self-confidently at her nomination as a »Rising Star«, which she brings to the big European concert halls within one season: »My future self inspires me. I have a very clear idea of where I want to go, what I want to do and who I want to be and that helps me to grow every day.« Inspired by this, she presents a complete audio-visual artwork. The seven movements of the »Framed« cycle by Cecilia McDowall structure the programme: played separately, they weave music by Claude Debussy, Enrique Granados, Amy Beach, Deborah Pritchard and others, complemented by projected images and videos. Matilda Lloyd not only plays the trumpet, but also reads poetry – a kaleidoscope of the most varied sensations!
Each year, the European Concert Hall Organisation selects six Rising Stars and sends them on a journey through its member concert halls. The young stars of 2024/25 also include cellist Benjamin Kruithof, who thanks to his »classy, cantabile and lovely tone« (bachtrack.com) emerged as the winner of the George Enescu Cello Competition in 2022. He can wholeheartedly display this beautiful tone at the Elbphilharmonie. After all, the programme culminates in the almost infinite melodies of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s cello sonata. However, first of all, Kruithof gives the evening a poetic start with the »Trois Pièces« by Nadia Boulanger and then presents his Rising Star commissioned work by British composer Sally Beamish. It continues with music by Benjamin Britten, who always knew how to produce a superb balance of modernity and sensuality in his works. In the five movements of his cello sonata, a real kaleidoscope of moods and textures evolves in which the melodic flair of the cello already appears several times. Rachmaninoff propelled this unrivalled ability to span the broadest arcs in his large-scale sonata to a glittering climax and lets the cello paint sensually over the edge – a fitting end!
Mandelring Quartet
At the Rising Stars Festival, the Elbphilharmonie Recital Hall again becomes the stage for the most exciting musicians of the young generation in January 2025. Amongst these stars of tomorrow is the Quatuor Agate, as the only ensemble. The string quartet formed in Berlin in 2016 and the musicians’ joint career long since assumed an international format. The Guardian enthuses about the Brahms debut album by the four Frenchmen: »Warm, wonderfully refined sound, impeccable intonation and punctilious attention to detail.« Under the heading »Outlaws«, the Quatuor Agate presents a well-thought out concept programme in Hamburg with String Quartet No. 8 by Dmitri Shostakovich at its heart. Under the impact of the tyranny of his Russian homeland, Shostakovich created a piece of bloodcurdling intensity in 1960 that he saw as his own musical obituary. Adrien Jurkovic, Thomas Descamps, Raphaël Pagnon and Simon Iachemet surround this confessional music with a broad-based programme combination which ranges from the Renaissance to the present day. Projections accompany the programme and shine a light on the life of the composers. With singing, the musicians rise far above their usual role as instrumentalists in the commissioned composition by Anna Korsun.
The illustrious circle of »Rising Stars« 2024/25, selected from the great European concert halls, includes clarinettist Carlos Ferreira – although the title of a Rising Star almost seems too small. Solo clarinettist of the Orchestre National de France, prize winner of the famous ARD Music Competition and recipient of the solo artist prize from the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – the Portuguese star is already high in the sky! Ferreira presents a broadly-based programme that he designed together with pianist Pedro Emanuel Pereira. Both of them had already recorded an album together in 2023 and, as a well-functioning duo, carry off the Hamburg audience into the most diverse soundscapes. The spectrum of the evening ranges from the supple elegance of Claude Debussy via the warm melancholy of Johannes Brahms to the charming preposterousness of Francis Poulenc. If that is not enough variety for anyone, they can look forward to brand new music by young Chinese composer Lanqing Ding with the commissioned work for Carlos Ferreira.
Experience the most exciting young personalities of the classical music world for a whole week – the Rising Stars Festival makes this possible. Chosen from the most famous concert halls in Europe, six excellent young musicians use the Elbphilharmonie Recital Hall to give the Hamburg audience sonic samples of their star potential. The festival kicks off with the Franco-Dutch violist Sào Soulez Larivière, whom the Elbphilharmonie itself nominated as its personal Rising Star for the 2024/25 season and who was already a guest in the »Teatime Classics« series. Larivière builds his programme around an equally rare and fascinating combination: the sonorous sound of the viola impacts on the kaleidoscope of sound of the percussion. The violist gets support from drummer and former Rising Star Christoph Sietzen – and this extraordinary line-up naturally does not offer standard repertoire, but a programme selection full of surprises and discoveries, which Larivière presents as a young artist with an open mind and mature personality.
This concert has been cancelled due to illness. Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase. 40 years ago, Mischa Maisky recorded the six solo suites for cello by Johann Sebastian Bach – a legendary recording. »Bach was the greatest Romantic of his time, and on many different levels.« With these words, cellist Mischa Maisky describes his approach to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach not only wrote the greatest amount of remarkable music in the history of music, he was also a father and was therefore at the centre of life. Maisky’s gripping, emotionally charged interpretation of the Thomaskantor’s music is based on this understanding, making it certainly one of, if not the central work in Maisky’s concert repertoire. With a mischievous smile, he declaims: »If I say that music is my religion, then these six solo suites are my bible.« Who is still surprised that Maisky’s cello suites are an absolute hit on YouTube? The first suite currently has over 58 million views, a figure that dwarfs anything comparable. But contact with the audience has always been the most important thing for Maisky. Performing the complete Bach suites is one of the most strenuous tasks as a soloist: »They are undoubtedly the greatest challenge. And the most beautiful when they succeed.« However, he is never interested in showing how well he can play. »I will never be the best cellist, but I could certainly play more precisely and clearly if I concentrated on that.« But then something else that is more essential to him would be lost: »Expressiveness. That’s more important to me than perfection.«
Gabor Szabo violin
Music connects and creates identity and community and, like language, it is an integral part of the human experience. Ernst Toch’s »Geographical Fugue« is a good example of how these two forms of expression can be combined to wonderful effect when he transfers the melody and rhythm of language to musical form. Gustav Mahler’s Piano Quartet movement in A minor, composed when he was just sixteen years old with a youthful zeal and enormous reverence for his great role model Johannes Brahms, tells of searching for and finding his own musical language.
At aged 15, Vadym Kholodenko first attracted attention when he decided upon the Maria Callas piano competition in Athens. By winning the gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the USA, the career of the Ukrainian pianist finally gained momentum. Concerts took him throughout Europe, Asia and North America and always garnered rave reviews. As a result, Kholodenko is still one of the rather quiet stars on the scene, who instead of media noise prefers musical quality. Now, it is best to convince yourself of this at his Elbphilharmonie debut as part of »Pianomania«. Kholodenko is consequently the perfect candidate for the current theme of »Transcriptions« because he has also made several arrangements of well-known works for the piano himself. In Hamburg, however, he now presents two unfamiliar arrangements: firstly, the piano version of Mozart’s Requiem, made by the German composer and pupil of Liszt, Karl Klindworth. Then, Franz Liszt’s appropriation of Hector Berlioz’s famous »Symphonie fantastique« – a wild musical ride, which Berlioz’s vast score congenially captures using 88 keys.
Whilst still at school, Johanna Schubert, Merle Geißler and Philipp Kirchner established the Amelio Trio – and have, now in their mid-twenties, already played together for over a decade. It shows: in 2023, they won second place in the ARD International Music Competition, one of the most important career springboards on the classical music scene, and won several prizes at the German Music Competition in March 2024. While Joseph Haydn’s trio, which was composed for a London piano virtuoso, comes across more cheerfully and dance-like, Franz Schubert’s trio displays dramatic, symphonic dimensions in an intimate setting. Since it was formed in 2012, the Amelio Trio delights audiences with its expressive and dynamic playing. Violinist Johanna Schubert, cellist Merle Geißler and pianist Philipp Kirchner got together in Frankfurt am Main and have since given numerous concerts including at the Alte Oper Frankfurt, the Prinzregententheater in Munich, the Klangbrücken Festival in Hanover and at the Piano Trio Fest in Bern. The young ensemble has been honoured at several international competitions, for instance with the second prize at the ARD International Music Competition and first prize at the International Schumann Chamber Music Prize Frankfurt in 2022. After many years of working with Angelika Merkle, the trio has been under the artistic guidance of Oliver Wille (Kuss Quartet) as well as Stefan Heinemeyer (ATOS Trio) and Markus Becker at the HMTM in Hanover since 2019. They also received significant inspiration from Eberhard Feltz, Steven Isserlis and the Fauré Quartet.
»Her playing is elegant, classy and above all imaginative« was written in the Boston Globe (USA) about the award-winning pianist, who has given concerts all over the world and is a member of the teaching staff at Moscow’s famous Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Ekaterina Derzhavina was nominated for the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) in 2014 for her recording of Joseph Haydn’s complete piano sonatas. She has received excellent press reviews for this, as well as for her CD recordings of piano works by the composer from the »Silver Epoch« Alexei Stanchinsky and the recording of all works for violin and piano by Nikolai Medtner with the Russian violinist Nikita Boriso-Glebsky. Together with the pianist Boris Berezovsky, she founded the Nikolai Medtner Festival in Moscow. »The highest level of sensitivity, a nuanced touch and the gift of complete self-expression. Pianistic splendour could hardly be more magically captivating...« was the opinion of the Westdeutsche Zeitung.
A Far East women's string trio (Japan, Taiwan, China) invites a Swedish pianist to perform chamber music gems from Russian, Spanish, Argentinian, Polish, and Thuringian composers in Hamburg. The program includes Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Suite, Cassadó's Danse du diable vert, Piazzolla's Le Grand Tango, Rachmaninov's Vocalise, Wieniawski's Polonaise, and Bach's Goldberg Variations.
The Lux Nova Duo, with its distinctive combination of accordion and guitar, combines classical and folkloristic music from Latin America and Europe in an extraordinary concert experience. The pulsating rhythms of Cuban music, the mystical atmosphere of the Andes, the passion of Argentinian tango and the innovative interpretations of Johann Sebastian Bach’s masterpieces combine to create a unique musical experience. As a special highlight, new pieces inspired by Pablo Picasso’s painting Guernica will be performed.
This piano quartet proves that you do not have to belong to the same generation to make superb music together. Pianist Alexandre Kantorow, to whom the Elbphilharmonie is dedicating a special focus this season, has been on a meteoric rise for several years and has already reached major venues by his mid-twenties. Cellist Victor Julien-Laferrière and violist Lawrence Power have used their advanced career of 10 and 25 years respectively for exciting solo projects, chamber music and much more. Young blood is now encountering great experience in the contrasting Piano Quartets Nos. 1 and 2 by Johannes Brahms. Brahms’ first two piano quartets were composed at the same time in 1861, when the young composer had moved from Hamburg to Vienna and had fallen in love with Hungarian folk music. Both works culminate in a lively, dance-like finale. The other movements also radiate a great deal of joie de vivre and enthusiasm.
The Tonhain hall in Berlin-Steglitz was built in 1911/12 by the architects P. Berthild and W. Baumgarten and originally housed a cinema. When the Tonhain offered itself as a home for the collective in 2022, the idea was born to programme the historical legacy of the Tonhain in works that either influenced film music or were influenced by it. We are all familiar with these soundscapes, as the music and film industries have been closely intertwined since the 20th century. The varied programme, which begins with John Corigliano’s »The Red Violin Caprices« and ends with Korngold’s lavishly scored piano quintet, blurs the boundary between film music and concert music.
This concert has been cancelled due to illness. Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase. 40 years ago, Mischa Maisky recorded the six solo suites for cello by Johann Sebastian Bach – a legendary recording. »Bach was the greatest Romantic of his time, and on many different levels.« With these words, cellist Mischa Maisky describes his approach to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach not only wrote the greatest amount of remarkable music in the history of music, he was also a father and was therefore at the centre of life. Maisky’s gripping, emotionally charged interpretation of the Thomaskantor’s music is based on this understanding, making it certainly one of, if not the central work in Maisky’s concert repertoire. With a mischievous smile, he declaims: »If I say that music is my religion, then these six solo suites are my bible.« Who is still surprised that Maisky’s cello suites are an absolute hit on YouTube? The first suite currently has over 58 million views, a figure that dwarfs anything comparable. But contact with the audience has always been the most important thing for Maisky. Performing the complete Bach suites is one of the most strenuous tasks as a soloist: »They are undoubtedly the greatest challenge. And the most beautiful when they succeed.« However, he is never interested in showing how well he can play. »I will never be the best cellist, but I could certainly play more precisely and clearly if I concentrated on that.« But then something else that is more essential to him would be lost: »Expressiveness. That’s more important to me than perfection.«
Hayato Sumino is not just a pianist, he is a real phenomenon. He plays the piano at a world-class level, has a degree in engineering, composes, arranges and improvises and is also a real YouTube star with almost 1.3 million followers under the name »Cateen«. Over 176 million people have already clicked on his videos, in which he either casually performs the most difficult piano pieces with breathtaking technique and virtuosity or entertains his fans with arrangements and improvisations. He bridges the gap between the social media world and impressive performances on all the world’s major stages like no other. This season he finally makes his debut at ProArte.
Aris Quartett is a string quartet.
The Frielinghaus Ensemble brings together internationally acclaimed chamber musicians, soloists and orchestral musicians from Germany and other European countries. An annual tour of northern Germany at the beginning of January is an integral part of the programme, along with other concerts throughout Germany and Switzerland.
Alejandro Carrillo Gamboa is regarded as one of the best guitarists in Europe and is appreciated for his dazzling musical virtuosity, which is rich in tonal colours and artistic forms of expression. He delights his audiences in renowned concert halls such as the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the Konzerthaus Berlin and Vienna. The programme »Latin American Guitar Sounds – Sombras del Fuego« is a musical journey through Latin American and European music. Alejandro’s fiery, gentle sounds evoke longing memories of a warm summer evening. Just the right programme for the cold season! A very special highlight of the evening will be the artist’s own compositions and vocals. Alejandro will surprise his audience with songs from his latest winter album.
The New Year’s concert by the Frielinghaus Ensemble, led by ECHO Klassik prizewinner and violinist Gustav Frielinghaus, has already become a tradition at the Elbphilharmonie. After concerts in northern Germany, the ensemble will continue on to Switzerland via the Bremen Sendesaal and Stuttgart. The Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote »Passionate and tender« about the recently released sextet CD »Souvenir de Florence« and Radio Bremen spoke of »power and a lot of pleasure in making music«. The programme of the New Year’s Concert 2025 spans a broad musical arc that communicates with various other forms of artistic expression. The minuet from Boccherini’s String Quintet in E major achieved great popularity through the crime comedy »Ladykillers« from 1955, where it is played over a gramophone to accompany gangster meetings. The elegant, classical String Quintet in A major by Glazunov is peppered with numerous Russian folk melodies. Finally, Schubert’s String Quintet in C major is a »monolith«Ihre Nachricht. ich habe den text aif u of chamber music: the sound of the ensemble opens up to the orchestral to take on the characteristics of a chamber music symphony.
The 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker are one of the most prominent institutions in international musical life. In 1972, a radio production of Julius Klengel’s Hymnus for twelve cellos with members of the Philharmoniker’s cello section provided the impetus for the founding of a soloist ensemble of this calibre, whose tonal and virtuoso qualities won over concert audiences around the world. Today, the 12 cellists occupy an outstanding, unique position in international musical life. They have succeeded in captivating audiences of all ages with their alternation of seriousness and humour, depth and lightness. As ambassadors of Berlin, they have accompanied the German Federal President on state visits, and whether classical, jazz, tango or avant-garde, the sound frenzy of 12 cellos is always fascinating, producing a unique and multifaceted mixture of sound colours.
On this special evening, young talents from eight nations unite in harmony. Award-winning musicians, aged 11 to 23, bring the stage alive with their solo performances. From the delicate touch of piano keys to the rich resonance of strings and winds, each performance invites the audience into a musical journey that transcends language. Part of the concept behind the New Jersey Sinfonietta is to support and foster young musical talents by providing them with valuable performance opportunities and advanced educational programs.
Returning to Hamburg for the again, New Jersey Sinfonietta presents four extraordinary young musicians, aged 14 to 17, who will captivate audiences with their award-winning performances. As winners of the 2024 competition, these gifted performers represent the future of classical music, combining technical mastery with artistic depth. Aligned with the New Jersey Sinfonietta’s mission to nurture young talent through exceptional performance opportunities, this concert is a unique chance to witness the next generation of classical virtuosos.
Salut Salon lead a furious and enchanting journey through musical dream worlds between illusion and reality. Angelika Bachmann (violin), Alvina Lahyani (violin), Maria Well (cello) and Kristiina Rokashevich (piano) give an idea of just how varied dreams can sound with their brilliant opening, Astor Piazzolla’s »Tango del Diablo«: turbulent and disturbing, tender and full of longing. The quartet wanders through the emotions with absolutely captivating dynamics and uses the instruments not only with classical perfection, but also daringly and imaginatively as sound tools and artistic accomplices. Violins, cello and piano are tapped, worked and danced on. The instruments sound so impulsive and sensitive as if they were independent characters with their very own stories to tell: Of exuberance and love, of the fleeting nature of time and the utopias that we urgently need right now.
Sukyeon Kim is one of the most promising pianists of the younger generation. Her playing is distinctive for its stupendous technique and great expressiveness. Even at a young age, she was already winning prizes in various competitions. Her broad repertoire includes works from the baroque to the modern. Her piano recital in the Elbphilharmonie also demonstrates a great versatility.
The SaitenWind Trio combines the flute, the clarinet and the guitar into an unusual ensemble that calls for unusual programmes. The trio’s concerts feature own compositions, arrangements and even texts and poetry that are carefully tailored to suit the music in each case. The three musicians have a wide stylistic range, from Baroque music to the tango.