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January 19, 2025

Sinfonieorchester Eppendorf / Emiliano Ramniceanu / Thilo Jaques

Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 11:00

Laeiszhalle, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Sinfonieorchester Eppendorf, Emiliano Ramniceanu (Piano), Thilo Jaques (Conductor)

With this year’s concert in the Grand Hall of Hamburg’s Laeiszhalle, the Eppendorf Sinfonieorchester joins in slightly belatedly with the celebrations to mark Anton Bruckner’s 200th birthday. The programme features his Third Symphony in D minor under the baton of Hamburg conductor Thilo Jaques. The matinée will begin with the Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Eppendorf Symphony Orchestra is delighted to be working with the fantastic pianist Emiliano Ramniceanu again after the great success of Edvard Grieg’s piano concerto.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

December 8, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Alan Gilbert

Sun, Dec 8, 2024, 18:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Alan Gilbert (Conductor)

Anton Bruckner’s symphonies have been part of the core repertoire of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra since the chief conductor era of Günter Wand. To mark the 200th anniversary of the Austrian symphonist’s birth, however, they will be a special focus of the 2024/25 season, with chief conductor Alan Gilbert now taking over the direction of Bruckner’s longest and most powerful symphony, the Eighth, following his recently celebrated interpretations of the Seventh and Fourth in Hamburg.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

December 6, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Alan Gilbert

Fri, Dec 6, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Alan Gilbert (Conductor)

Anton Bruckner’s symphonies have been part of the core repertoire of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra since the chief conductor era of Günter Wand. To mark the 200th anniversary of the Austrian symphonist’s birth, however, they will be a special focus of the 2024/25 season, with chief conductor Alan Gilbert now taking over the direction of Bruckner’s longest and most powerful symphony, the Eighth, following his recently celebrated interpretations of the Seventh and Fourth in Hamburg.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

December 5, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Alan Gilbert

Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Alan Gilbert (Conductor)

Anton Bruckner’s symphonies have been part of the core repertoire of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra since the chief conductor era of Günter Wand. To mark the 200th anniversary of the Austrian symphonist’s birth, however, they will be a special focus of the 2024/25 season, with chief conductor Alan Gilbert now taking over the direction of Bruckner’s longest and most powerful symphony, the Eighth, following his recently celebrated interpretations of the Seventh and Fourth in Hamburg.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

November 29, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / NDR Vokalensemble / Robin Ticciati

Fri, Nov 29, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, NDR Vokalensemble, Klaas Stok (Director), Simone Candotto (Trombone), Joachim Preu (Trombone), Peter Dreßel (Trombone), Thomas Cornelius (Organ), Robin Ticciati (Conductor)

Anton Bruckner would have turned 200 years old on 4 September 2024 – an occasion for the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra to focus on important works by the great composer and organist throughout the season. On this evening in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall, the audience can immerse itself in the various facets of his work and influence: Bruckner’s Seventh, perhaps his most popular symphony, meets lesser-known sacred music by the former organist of St Florian’s Abbey and Linz Cathedral.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

November 26, 2024

Vienna Symphony / María Dueñas / Marie Jaquot

Tue, Nov 26, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Wiener Symphoniker, María Dueñas (Violin), Marie Jacquot (Conductor)

We will be hearing more from Marie Jacquot! The Principal Guest Conductor of the Vienna Symphony – and Chief Conductor Designate of the WDR Symphony Orchestra – inspires musicians and audiences alike with fresh interpretations as well as with the stunningly brilliant sounds she knows how to elicit from »her« Viennese orchestra. In her ProArte programme, Jacquot demonstrates an awareness of tradition by opening the concert with a Bruckner arrangement by the orchestra’s founder Ferdinand Löwe. The rest of the programme is also all about Vienna: María Dueñas returns to ProArte after her brilliant debut in March 2024 with the violin concerto by Viennese-by-choice Ludwig van Beethoven. The crowning finale is a piano quartet by probably the most famous Viennese immigrant after Beethoven: the op. 25 by Johannes Brahms, arranged for orchestra by native Viennese Arnold Schönberg.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

November 17, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Paavo Järvi

Sun, Nov 17, 2024, 18:30

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Paavo Järvi (Conductor)

The Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi has fortunately become a regular guest with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. For the one-hour-long concert series »Compact Classics«, he now devotes himself to a work by Anton Bruckner that is as familiar as it is surprising: his first ever published symphony!

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

November 15, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Kalev Kuljus / Paavo Järvi

Fri, Nov 15, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Kalev Kuljus (Oboe), Paavo Järvi (Conductor)

The Baltic states are known in the music scene for having produced some very special talents. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra now marvels at the artistic work of three Estonians: star conductor Paavo Järvi is returning to perform Anton Bruckner’s First Symphony to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth. In addition, Kalev Kuljus, the celebrated principal oboist of the NDR Elbphilhamonie Orchestra, swaps his place in the orchestra for that of soloist and premieres a new oboe concerto by his compatriot Erkki-Sven Tüür. Sergei Prokofiev’s entertaining suite to the fairytale-like, grotesque opera »The Love for Three Oranges« kicks off this evening full of strong, colourful contrasts.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

November 14, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Kalev Kuljus / Paavo Järvi

Thu, Nov 14, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Kalev Kuljus (Oboe), Paavo Järvi (Conductor)

The Baltic states are known in the music scene for having produced some very special talents. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra now marvels at the artistic work of three Estonians: star conductor Paavo Järvi is returning to perform Anton Bruckner’s First Symphony to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth. In addition, Kalev Kuljus, the celebrated principal oboist of the NDR Elbphilhamonie Orchestra, swaps his place in the orchestra for that of soloist and premieres a new oboe concerto by his compatriot Erkki-Sven Tüür. Sergei Prokofiev’s entertaining suite to the fairytale-like, grotesque opera »The Love for Three Oranges« kicks off this evening full of strong, colourful contrasts.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

November 9, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Ingo Metzmacher

Sat, Nov 9, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Ingo Metzmacher (Conductor), Solist:innen in »Messe Nr. 1«, Claire de Sévigné (Soprano), Avery Amereau (Alto), Toby Spence (Tenor), Michael Nagy (Bariton), Solist:innen in »Die Jakobsleiter«, Brenden Gunnell (Tenor), Bernard Richter (Tenor), Jens Persson Hertzman (Bariton), Sean Michael Plumb (Bariton), Anne Schwanewilms (Soprano), Miriam Kutrowatz (Soprano), Marie Maidowski (Soprano), Solist:innen des NDR Vokalensembles, Lucy De Butts (Soprano), Sophia Körber (Soprano), Alexandra Hebart (Mezzo-Soprano), Solist:innen des MDR-Rundfunkchors, Ramona Laxy (Soprano), Lisa Germeshausen (Soprano), Falk Hoffmann (Tenor), Oliver Kaden (Tenor)

Ingo Metzmacher is one of the great explorers among conductors. He tirelessly explores new and little-known areas of the repertoire. His curiosity already characterised him during his time as General Music Director in Hamburg between 1997 and 2005. And this also characterises the vocal symphonic programme with which he returns to the podium of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra in November. One day before his 67th birthday, Metzmacher conducts two rarely performed works by two jubilarians from the Romantic and modern eras with a round birthday in 2024 – and fills the stage in the Grand Hall with an opulent line-up that, alongside the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, includes the MDR-Rundfunkchor and nine vocal soloists.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

October 31, 2024

Bruckner

Thu, Oct 31, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg)

Tugan Sokhiev (Conductor)

Info (www.mphil.de)

September 30, 2024

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano

Mon, Sep 30, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, LauschWerk, Kent Nagano (Conductor)

The 2024/25 season of the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra – the final season for General Music Director Kent Nagano – begins with the sound of infinity rather than with any instruments. In György Ligeti’s groundbreaking »Lux aeterna«, written in 1966, the LauschWerk choir sings with a polyphony at full power – with soprano, alto, tenor and bass dividing into no fewer than 16 voices to capture the »eternal light« in sound. »As a self-contained composition, ›Lux aeterna‹ naturally has a beginning and an end,« said the Hungarian composer, who later taught at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama for many years. »And although the entire habitus of the music is static, gradual shifts do occur. The idea of infinity is evoked; the impression is created that the music was already there even before we started hearing it, and that it will always continue, even when we no longer hear it.«

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

September 29, 2024

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano

Sun, Sep 29, 2024, 11:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, LauschWerk, Kent Nagano (Conductor)

The 2024/25 season of the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra – the final season for General Music Director Kent Nagano – begins with the sound of infinity rather than with any instruments. In György Ligeti’s groundbreaking »Lux aeterna«, written in 1966, the LauschWerk choir sings with a polyphony at full power – with soprano, alto, tenor and bass dividing into no fewer than 16 voices to capture the »eternal light« in sound. »As a self-contained composition, ›Lux aeterna‹ naturally has a beginning and an end,« said the Hungarian composer, who later taught at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama for many years. »And although the entire habitus of the music is static, gradual shifts do occur. The idea of infinity is evoked; the impression is created that the music was already there even before we started hearing it, and that it will always continue, even when we no longer hear it.«

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

September 18, 2024

SWR Symphonieorchester / Pablo Heras-Casado

Wed, Sep 18, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

SWR Symphonieorchester, SWR Vokalensemble, WDR Rundfunkchor, Christina Landshamer (Soprano), Sophie Harmsen (Alto), Daniel Behle (Tenor), Franz-Josef Selig (Bass), Pablo Heras-Casado (Conductor)

Anton Bruckner was extremely critical of his compositions throughout his lifetime – with just a few exceptions: he described his Sixth Symphony as his »boldest« and the »Te Deum« as the »pride of his life«. It is absolutely fitting, then, that the world-renowned conductor Pablo Heras-Casado should be congratulating the composer on his 200th birthday with this programme performed by a large orchestra! The »Te Deum« is a mighty creation in praise of God, with an orchestra performing alongside an organ, choir and four vocal soloists. They include the sought-after soprano Christina Landshamer and the bass Franz-Josef Selig, who recently impressed Hamburg audiences in Wagner’s »Flying Dutchman« at the State Opera. Bruckner most likely wanted to impress even divine powers with the five-part work but, that aside, has certainly been inspiring audiences down here on earth ever since the premiere. We can only guess as to what exactly Bruckner found so bold about his Sixth Symphony, but there are many possible reasons: the succinct rhythm right at the start, the energy of which is perpetuated throughout the entire first movement. Or perhaps it alludes to the third movement, which swings back and forth between spooky sequences and blaring brass. Viewed as a whole, the symphonies are among Bruckner’s most »secular« works, making them the perfect counterpart to the Te Deum.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

July 3, 2024

Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice / Vikram Francesco Sedona / Markus Stenz

Wed, Jul 3, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice, Vikram Francesco Sedona (Violin), Markus Stenz (Conductor)

Nomen est omen: true to its name, Venice’s legendary opera house, the Teatro La Fenice (Italian for phoenix), rose from the ashes in 2003 after a devastating fire. Since its reconstruction, the theatre has once again stood for splendour and radiance as well as impressive acoustics. The theatre is also home to a renowned orchestra, with which Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss worked. It gave important Verdi premieres, has a special history and is now bringing some of this aura to the north. Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is one of the most popular works of all time, rich in beguiling melodies, full of romantic intensity and rousing in its gesture. Accordingly, the solo part demands highly expressive playing, and this is precisely what the violinist Vikram Francesco Sedona, who trained partly in Venice, is known for. Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 forms the crowning finale with its sacred-sounding grandeur, monumental Wagnerian references and late-Romantic, smoldering expressiveness. »Bruckner’s music seems to me to breathe inexhaustibly. At the same time, his constantly evolving sounds allow flexible arcs to be spanned – Romantic, grand music,« says conductor Markus Stenz.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

June 15, 2024

Thomanerchor Leipzig

Sat, Jun 15, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Thomanerchor Leipzig (Choir)

The Thomanerchor Leipzig looks back on over 800 years of history. Composers from all eras have written works for the famous choir. The motets by Johann Sebastian Bach, the most famous St Thomas’ cantor, are part of the choir’s core repertoire. In this concert, the choir presents a musical cross-section of all eras, with works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Samuel Scheidt, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and contemporary motets by Ivo Antognini, Ko Matsushitas and John Rutter.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

May 18, 2024

Utopia / Teodor Currentzis

Sat, May 18, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Utopia, Teodor Currentzis (Conductor)

When Teodor Currentzis first presented his new orchestral project »Utopia« at the Laeiszhalle in October 2022, the applause seemed to last forever. Now, the exceptional Greek-Russian conductor brings the orchestra consisting of over 100 fantastic musicians from more than 30 countries to the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. Currentzis says that they are searching together »for the perfect sound without compromise«. They have already found the perfect work for a big stage: Anton Bruckner’s monumental Ninth Symphony, dedicated to »Our Beloved Lord«. The strict Catholic spent nine years working on the symphony, which he left unfinished at his death; he completed only three of four planned movements

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

May 2, 2024

Felix Mendelssohn Jugendorchester / Clemens Malich

Thu, May 2, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Felix Mendelssohn Jugendorchester, Nane Schulz (Flute), Clemens Malich (Conductor)

The Felix Mendelssohn Jugendorchester (MJO) ends its 50th anniversary season with this concert and starts into the future with »AufWind«. The evening begins with one of the most famous works by Felix Mendelssohn, who was born in Hamburg 225 years ago. Although the wedding march is not played, the overture to the 17-year-old’s Midsummer Night’s Dream shows the fresh wind with which the young Felix sailed into his musical career. This is followed by perhaps the most famous concerto for flute and orchestra by French composer Jacques Ibert. Written in Paris a good 100 years ago, it is full of esprit and charm. The soloist is Nane Schulz, who has been playing in the orchestra since she was 10 years old. Honoured with many national prizes, she is sure to carry her breath into an outstanding career. This year’s great jubilarian is Anton Bruckner. In his marvellous 4th Symphony, the »Romantic«, the brass players in particular will generate a lot of wind to create the monumental blocks of sound in front of you. Reduced-price tickets cost € 15 and are available to young people under 30, the unemployed, welfare recipients, the severely disabled and pensioners. Wheelchair users and accompanying persons can obtain tickets directly from the organiser. Please contactinfo@theyoungclassx.de or 040 414 334 270.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

April 17, 2024

Munich Philharmonic / Renaud Capuçon / Daniel Harding

Wed, Apr 17, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Münchner Philharmoniker, Renaud Capuçon (Violin), Daniel Harding (Conductor)

The Munich Philharmonic enjoys an international reputation, in part because of their Bruckner performances. Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony is known as the »Romantic« symphony, and – with its rapturous horn call – is one of the Austrian composer’s most popular creations. Thierry Escaich’s new violin concerto »Au-delà du rêve« – a commissioned work for the Munich Philharmonic, the Elbphilharmonie and the Philharmonie de Paris – is being performed in Hamburg soon after its premiere. The 59-year-old French composer and organist is one of his homeland’s leading musicians, and he regularly works with leading orchestras and soloists. In Renaud Capuçon, Escaich has found one of the most versatile violinists of his generation as an ideal soloist – one who has mastered a broad repertoire as a soloist and as a chamber musician.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

March 10, 2024

NDR Jugendsinfonieorchester

Sun, Mar 10, 2024, 11:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Jugendsinfonieorchester, Stefan Geiger (Conductor)

Anton Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony enjoys widespread popularity, and is one of the greatest masterpieces of classical music. It opens with a theme which ascends to radiant heights. The expansive second movement delights with the special warm timbre of the Wagner tubas. Then, after a rhythmic, driving scherzo, the work ends in high spirits, in an almost boisterous mood. The NDR Jugendsinfonieorchester is made up of members of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra Academy, students from German colleges of music and prize-winners of the youth music competition »Jugend musiziert« aged 18–25. With two projects a year, the orchestra offers gifted young musicians the opportunity to work at a professional level on representative orchestral works.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

March 4, 2024

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano

Mon, Mar 4, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, Kent Nagano (Conductor)

»When the strings begin the choral melody in the Adagio of Bruckner’s Fifth, I just know that I’m going to get goose bumps. This melody has been a stalwart in my life for many years and I simply cannot wait to perform the symphony myself for the first time.« The double bass player Felix von Werder is not the only one looking forward to this concert. Anton Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony is, after all, undoubtedly one of the great works in music history. Its length, at some 80 minutes, secures its place in the canon, as does the huge reception it received in the 20th century. The road along the way was anything but smooth though. Before it could be experienced in its authentic version, some problematic interventions by foreign parties had to be overcome. It is worth mentioning that Bruckner himself referred to this work as his »fantastic« symphony – and no wonder really, as its sheer force alone cannot fail to move.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

March 3, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Manfred Honeck

Sun, Mar 3, 2024, 18:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Manfred Honeck (Conductor)

Manfred Honeck, who has been chief conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for more than 15 years, still returns to conduct the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra each year. After presenting the sensational programme »Mozart and Death in Words and Music« last season, this year’s programme is all about love after death. In Greek mythology, the heroes who were particularly beloved by the gods found eternal peace on the »Isles of the Blessed«: Elysium. The Berlin-based Canadian composer Samy Moussa has dedicated a musical work to this paradise. It was premiered in Barcelona in 2021 and subsequently given its first German performance by Manfred Honeck. The musical depiction of the eagerly desired reward for all earthly toil is now also being performed at the Elbphilharmonie. It’s no coincidence that Honeck has chosen to programme Moussa’s work, which was certainly inspired by Anton Bruckner’s expansive style, just before the latter’s Ninth Symphony. Moussa’s piece thereby functions, in a way, as a prologuing fourth movement to the deeply religious composer’s »Unfinished« Symphony – as a forecast of where everything could, in the end, lead. »And now I dedicate my last work to the majesty of all the majesties, the beloved God, and hope that he will give me so much time to complete the same,« Bruckner allegedly said during work on his monumental Symphony in D Minor – although this wish was ultimately not granted. He died while working on drafts for the finale.But even without this closing movement, the symphony bears all the features of an »opus ultimum«, a summary of all that constitutes Bruckner’s tonal language. The suspenseful opening phase, for example, that is a feature of every single one of his symphonies, is carried to extremes here with an extra-long preparation phase. Nowhere do things get as wild as in the Scherzo of the Ninth, and nowhere does the listener feel that Elysium is closer than in the magnificent Adagio, which fades away with reminiscences of previous Bruckner symphonies.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano

Sun, Mar 3, 2024, 11:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, Kent Nagano (Conductor)

»When the strings begin the choral melody in the Adagio of Bruckner’s Fifth, I just know that I’m going to get goose bumps. This melody has been a stalwart in my life for many years and I simply cannot wait to perform the symphony myself for the first time.« The double bass player Felix von Werder is not the only one looking forward to this concert. Anton Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony is, after all, undoubtedly one of the great works in music history. Its length, at some 80 minutes, secures its place in the canon, as does the huge reception it received in the 20th century. The road along the way was anything but smooth though. Before it could be experienced in its authentic version, some problematic interventions by foreign parties had to be overcome. It is worth mentioning that Bruckner himself referred to this work as his »fantastic« symphony – and no wonder really, as its sheer force alone cannot fail to move.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

March 1, 2024

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Manfred Honeck

Fri, Mar 1, 2024, 20:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Manfred Honeck (Conductor)

Manfred Honeck, who has been chief conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for more than 15 years, still returns to conduct the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra each year. After presenting the sensational programme »Mozart and Death in Words and Music« last season, this year’s programme is all about love after death. In Greek mythology, the heroes who were particularly beloved by the gods found eternal peace on the »Isles of the Blessed«: Elysium. The Berlin-based Canadian composer Samy Moussa has dedicated a musical work to this paradise. It was premiered in Barcelona in 2021 and subsequently given its first German performance by Manfred Honeck. The musical depiction of the eagerly desired reward for all earthly toil is now also being performed at the Elbphilharmonie. It’s no coincidence that Honeck has chosen to programme Moussa’s work, which was certainly inspired by Anton Bruckner’s expansive style, just before the latter’s Ninth Symphony. Moussa’s piece thereby functions, in a way, as a prologuing fourth movement to the deeply religious composer’s »Unfinished« Symphony – as a forecast of where everything could, in the end, lead. »And now I dedicate my last work to the majesty of all the majesties, the beloved God, and hope that he will give me so much time to complete the same,« Bruckner allegedly said during work on his monumental Symphony in D Minor – although this wish was ultimately not granted. He died while working on drafts for the finale.But even without this closing movement, the symphony bears all the features of an »opus ultimum«, a summary of all that constitutes Bruckner’s tonal language. The suspenseful opening phase, for example, that is a feature of every single one of his symphonies, is carried to extremes here with an extra-long preparation phase. Nowhere do things get as wild as in the Scherzo of the Ninth, and nowhere does the listener feel that Elysium is closer than in the magnificent Adagio, which fades away with reminiscences of previous Bruckner symphonies.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Manfred Honeck

Sun, Mar 3, 2024, 18:00

Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal (Hamburg)

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Manfred Honeck (Conductor)

Manfred Honeck, who has been chief conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for more than 15 years, still returns to conduct the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra each year. After presenting the sensational programme »Mozart and Death in Words and Music« last season, this year’s programme is all about love after death. In Greek mythology, the heroes who were particularly beloved by the gods found eternal peace on the »Isles of the Blessed«: Elysium. The Berlin-based Canadian composer Samy Moussa has dedicated a musical work to this paradise. It was premiered in Barcelona in 2021 and subsequently given its first German performance by Manfred Honeck. The musical depiction of the eagerly desired reward for all earthly toil is now also being performed at the Elbphilharmonie. It’s no coincidence that Honeck has chosen to programme Moussa’s work, which was certainly inspired by Anton Bruckner’s expansive style, just before the latter’s Ninth Symphony. Moussa’s piece thereby functions, in a way, as a prologuing fourth movement to the deeply religious composer’s »Unfinished« Symphony – as a forecast of where everything could, in the end, lead. »And now I dedicate my last work to the majesty of all the majesties, the beloved God, and hope that he will give me so much time to complete the same,« Bruckner allegedly said during work on his monumental Symphony in D Minor – although this wish was ultimately not granted. He died while working on drafts for the finale.But even without this closing movement, the symphony bears all the features of an »opus ultimum«, a summary of all that constitutes Bruckner’s tonal language. The suspenseful opening phase, for example, that is a feature of every single one of his symphonies, is carried to extremes here with an extra-long preparation phase. Nowhere do things get as wild as in the Scherzo of the Ninth, and nowhere does the listener feel that Elysium is closer than in the magnificent Adagio, which fades away with reminiscences of previous Bruckner symphonies.

Info (www.elbphilharmonie.de)