Alexandre Tharaud’s great passion for the music of Maurice Ravel is well-known, having notably produced his recording of the complete piano works in 2003, and the two concertos some twenty years later, with the Orchestre national de France.
Composer Fanny Hensel's work was long overshadowed by her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn, receiving proper recognition far too late. Robert Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate, deemed a failed attempt and shelved by performers, with its release forbidden for 100 years. Today it's in the repertoire, and Brahms's Symphony No. 1 will form an impressive closing piece for the evening.
Composer Fanny Hensel's work was long overshadowed by her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn, receiving proper recognition far too late. Robert Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate, deemed a failed attempt and shelved by performers, with its release forbidden for 100 years. Today it's in the repertoire, and Brahms's Symphony No. 1 will form an impressive closing piece for the evening.
Composer Fanny Hensel's work was long overshadowed by her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn, receiving proper recognition far too late. Robert Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate, deemed a failed attempt and shelved by performers, with its release forbidden for 100 years. Today it's in the repertoire, and Brahms's Symphony No. 1 will form an impressive closing piece for the evening.
For Isabelle Faust only the art matters, not the trappings. She plays with aplomb, focus, deep feeling—that’s how the violinist enthrals the audience, particularly with Shostakovich’s Second Violin Concerto, which, seriously ill in 1967, he »squeezed out note by note, with difficulty«. Sharply reduced, introverted music that concentrates completely on the violin. Music that inquires into where we are going and why.
Composer Fanny Hensel's work was long overshadowed by her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn, receiving proper recognition far too late. Robert Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate, deemed a failed attempt and shelved by performers, with its release forbidden for 100 years. Today it's in the repertoire, and Brahms's Symphony No. 1 will form an impressive closing piece for the evening.
Experience a small break from everyday life at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall – inspiring, touching, authentic. A place full of music, for an unusual lunch break, a break from the city noise or simply a break from everyday life. The Philharmonic Lunch is made possible by KölnMusik together with the WDR Symphony Orchestra and the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne.
The WDR Symphony Orchestra will perform at the German President's benefit concert, the proceeds of which will go to the Elly Heuss-Knapp Foundation. The concert features a diverse program with music by Enescu, Ravel, Korngold, and Bernstein, performed by soloists Fatma Said and Sebastian Hornung, and conducted by Cristian Măcelaru. A reception hosted by President Steinmeier and Minister-President Wüst will follow the concert.
"The Dream of Gerontius" by Edward Elgar is one of the most popular oratorios in England. The libretto comes from the pen of the English cardinal John Henry Newman, who describes the finiteness of human existence as a journey of the soul into the hereafter. A sacred Everyman, so to speak, and an unusual story for an oratorio full of moving choral moments. Why Edward Elgar himself gave this composition the highest priority in his work to date and why it is worth putting "The Dream of Gerontius" on the program more often here: You will find out both practically and theoretically in this event. Part 1 Host Christoph Vratz (WDR 3, Deutschlandfunk) talks to Cristian Măcelaru (conductor), Simon Halsey (choir director) and Markus Roentgen (theologian and musicologist) about Edward Elgar's "The Dream of Gerontius" Part 2 Singing with Simon Halsey - The renowned British choir director and Elgar expert sings excerpts from the oratorio with interested choral singers at the piano/organ: George Warren We would be delighted if you attended both parts of the event, but you can also only attend the first or second part (from 8 p.m.), just as you like.
While rarely performed in Germany, Edward Elgar's oratorio "The Dream of Gerontius" follows Handel's "Messiah" and Mendelssohn's "Elijah" in popularity in England. This masterpiece reveals the true side of the English romanticist, known mainly for the "Pomp and Circumstance" marches. The monumental work follows a soul's journey to heaven after death, guided by a guardian angel, until it beholds God's glory.
While rarely performed in Germany, Edward Elgar's oratorio "The Dream of Gerontius" follows Handel's "Messiah" and Mendelssohn's "Elijah" in popularity in England. This masterpiece reveals the true essence of the English romanticist, known in Germany for the "Pomp and Circumstance" marches. The oratorio follows a soul's journey to Heaven, from death to angelic encounters, culminating in a vision of God's glory.
Three days after the premiere of Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony, the Soviet Composers' Union debated whether the work was too modern, too old-fashioned, or too critical. However, the panel missed the grim satire used by Shostakovich. In contrast, Brahms' Violin Concerto, performed by Hilary Hahn, is a celebration of violin sound. Cristian Măcelaru conducts this program, marking his farewell as chief conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra.
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