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Marcin Świątkiewicz, photo: Leszek Zych In the original version of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in D major, BWV 1054, the solo instrument was the violin. This work was likely composed in either Köthen or Leipzig, during a period when Bach was already very familiar with the works of Antonio Vivaldi and the three-movement form of the so-called Venetian concerto. The harpsichord version of the work may have been written for the famous concerts at Leipzig’s Café Zimmermann or to provide repertoire for one of his talented sons. Since the harpsichord renaissance, to which Wanda Landowska made a major contribution in the first half of the twentieth century, many new compositions for the instrument have been written. While often turning to the musical past, they sometimes also explore the capacities of contemporary models that are being built and constantly improved. Philip Glass joined the ranks of harpsichord enthusiasts at the beginning of this century, composing a concerto in which elements of Baroque texture and motifs are combined with repetitive structures and transparent harmonies, characteristic of this American minimalist. The main aim of Swedish neo-classicist Dag Wirén’s pleasant and airy Serenade Op. 11 was, as its composer wrote, to put listeners in a cheerful mood. After all, the composer’s credo, which probably also accompanied work on this piece, was ‘I believe in God, Mozart and Carl Nielsen’. Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite, on the other hand, is a remarkably graceful archaisation created to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the writer known as the father of Danish theatre. It would be hard to find a more beautiful example of a Romantic composer ‘reinventing’ the musical past.
Would you like to listen to South African songs, minimal music and film music in a relaxed atmosphere in the music club and get to know music-loving peers? Then why not come to our „Schwerelos“ youth concert with live music!
For his new project »GLASS for TWO«, Luxembourg vibraphonist Pascal Schumacher has taken an in-depth look at one of the most successful composers of our time – Philip Glass. The American composer is regarded as one of the most important representatives of minimal music. A musical style characterised by clear tonal structures, repetitive patterns and a reduction of musical means. Philip Glass’ music also harbours a wide range of influences, from Indian music, classical and avant-garde to jazz and even pop. His oeuvre includes numerous operas, symphonies, concertos, chamber and film music. With »GLASS for TWO«, Pascal Schumacher shows the many facets of this exciting composer. The renowned vibraphonist will be supported by the German-Greek pianist Danae Dörken. Together they will present works from various phases of Philip Glass’ life.
Immer wieder hat sich der brasilianische Fotograf Sebastião Salgado mit der faszinierenden Welt des Amazonas befasst und ihre Schönheit wie Bedrohung in Bilder gebannt. In einem spektakulären Projekt, das erstmals in Deutschland zu erleben ist, bereichert er sie nun um eine Begegnung mit Musik. Der Amazonas-Regenwald – ungezügelte Urgewalt, Quell des Lebens, »grüne Hölle«. Immer wieder hat sich Sebastião Salgado mit dieser faszinierenden Welt befasst, hat ihre ganz eigene Schönheit wie auch ihre Bedrohung in eindringlichen Aufnahmen festgehalten.