World-renowned brass quintet Canadian Brass returns to Europe with their "Happy New Year" Tour 2025. Led by founder and tuba player Chuck Daellenbach, they present a unique blend of classical, jazz, and pop music. Enjoy their lively performance and masterful arrangements from Renaissance to modern times.
The Freiburg Philharmonic Orchestra opens its first symphony concert of 2024 with Carola Bauckholt's ATEMPAUSE, a work reminiscent of music from the Industrial Revolution. The concert also features Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 2 with soloist Sibylle Mahni, and Bruckner's Symphony No. 4, "The Romantic," offering a majestic and warming experience.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Idomeneo, commissioned by Elector Karl Theodor of Munich, represents a unique blend of traditional opera seria and innovative choral elements. Conductor René Jacobs, known for his meticulous research, leads the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and a cast of top-tier soloists in a performance that promises to be an exceptional operatic experience, reminiscent of the premiere's high standards in Munich. Mozart's joy upon receiving the commission and the opera's enduring popularity are highlighted.
Julia Fischer, acclaimed violinist and professor, joins conductor Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a concert featuring Dvořák's "Carnival Overture," Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, and Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra. Fischer's performance of the Tchaikovsky concerto has been praised for its freshness and emotional depth. The Bartók piece, written during his exile in New York, is a unique work showcasing the entire orchestra.
The Freiburg Academic Orchestra (AKA) performs Shostakovich's 7th Symphony, conducted by Xiao Zhuo.
Antonio Vivaldi's concertos go far beyond the famous "Four Seasons." He composed nearly 500 concertos for a wide variety of instruments, showcasing his virtuosity and diverse instrumentation. His "Concerti per molti strumenti" feature multiple solo instruments, like the F major concerto with oboes, bassoon, horns, violin, and cello. This colorful instrumentation is also present in his chamber music, such as the G minor Concerto da camera, which, despite its smaller ensemble, retains the extroverted nature of his larger concertos, especially with the hypnotic and eccentric Passacaglia in the final movement.
Werke von Schostakowitsch, Ligeti und Hartmann. Mit Patricia Kopatchinskaja (Violine) und dem SWR Symphonieorchester unter der Leitung von Ingo Metzmacher.Programm:Dmitrij Schostakowitsch | Violinkonzert Nr. 1 a-Moll op. 77György Ligeti | "Mysteries of the Macabre" & "Lontano"Karl Amadeus Hartmann | Sinfonie Nr. 3Mitwirkende:Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Violine SWR Symphonieorchester Ingo Metzmacher, DirigentKonzerteinführung | 19:00 Uhr
Lisa Streich's "ISHJÄRTA" explores the coexistence of two emotions. Schumann's Violin Concerto, initially unpublished, is now a beloved piece. Shostakovich's Symphony No. 6, meant to evoke spring and youth, departs from his usual dramatic style, building from a slow movement to a wild gallop.
Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Missa Solemnis are monumental compositions. The Missa Solemnis, commissioned for Archduke Rudolph's enthronement, became a deeply personal exploration of faith for Beethoven. Its scale and complexity exceeded its original purpose, making it suitable for concert halls rather than solely churches. The Balthasar-Neumann Ensemble, known for their Freiburg performances, will tackle this challenging work under Thomas Hengelbrock's direction, featuring a renowned soloist quartet including Gabriel Rollinson replacing Domen Krizaj.
Whenever Sol Gabetta takes the stage at the Albert Concerts, excitement fills the air. This world-class cellist's passion is contagious, her expressive playing matched by captivating expressions. This year, she shares the stage with the exceptionally talented Tarmo Peltokoski. Together, they'll perform Bloch's "Schelomo," a piece Gabetta cherishes for its ability to showcase the cello's versatility. Peltokoski complements this with Bruckner's Symphony No. 4, a tribute to the composer's 200th birthday. The program also includes Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune."
A young man is deeply in love in Wilhelm Müller's poem cycle "Die schöne Müllerin." Although the story begins with butterflies in the stomach, it takes an unhappy turn and ends badly. Franz Schubert's music captures the soul drama of the unhappily in love. "Fit fürs Abi" offers a concert experience with an introduction to the work.
After personal and professional setbacks drove Bruckner to the brink of madness in 1867, the organist suffered a nervous breakdown. Recovering in an asylum, he returned to composing and created his "Great" f-minor Mass, a work of symphonic scale and profound expressiveness. The SWR Vokalensemble, WDR Rundfunkchor Köln, and SWR Symphonieorchester reunite with conductor Pablo Heras-Casado this season for a performance of Bruckner's final mass setting.
Trumpeter Alison Balsom hailed Wynton Marsalis' trumpet concerto as the most significant in 200 years, surpassing even Hummel's in its diverse use of the trumpet's capabilities. The piece journeys through various classical and jazz styles. Inspired by spirituals and Native American music during his time in the US, Dvořák's 9th Symphony reflects a new world of possibilities and cultural diversity, becoming his greatest success.
This concert explores "mad scenes" and "mad arias" in Baroque opera, featuring works by Purcell, Vivaldi, and Handel, performed by Carolyn Sampson and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. These scenes allowed composers to break conventions with harsh harmonies and broken phrases. The concert also includes instrumental pieces like Vivaldi's "Follia" variations, Zelenka's "Hipocondrie," and Telemann's "La Bizarre" Overture, which exhibit similar unconventionality. A free introductory lecture will take place at 7:15 pm in the Rolf-Böhme-Saal.
The Freiburg Bach Choir, Freiburg Bach Orchestra, and renowned soloists will perform Bach's St. John Passion on March 29th and 30th, 2025, under Frank Markowitsch. The concerts will take place in Freiburg Minster and Konzerthaus Freiburg. The St. John Passion deals with Judas' betrayal, Jesus' capture, interrogation, and crucifixion, culminating in comforting words of faith.
Joseph Haydn's Symphony in F minor, Hob. I:49, and Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Op. 43, performed by the SWR Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste. The concert will also include an introductory talk at 7 pm.
Shakespeare's Hamlet has always fascinated artists and composers. Hans Abrahamsen focuses on Ophelia, creating a song cycle from her perspective based on her few lines. Tchaikovsky also composed Hamlet-inspired pieces. The concert features music by Abrahamsen and Tchaikovsky, reflecting Hamlet's enduring influence.
Hans Werner Henze said about Bach's "St. John Passion": "This music expresses things that no one had dared, been able, or even attempted to say with tones before." John Eliot Gardiner attests to the opening chorus of the Passion having "unparalleled imagery." It is this imagery, paired with highly complex compositional artistry, that makes Bach's Passions so unique. Although the "St. John Passion", criticized by Bach's contemporaries as too "operatic", has always been overshadowed by the "St. Matthew Passion", it can withstand a direct comparison. The "St. Matthew Passion" is considered contemplative, while the "St. John Passion" is described as dramatic. This is primarily due to the different Passion accounts of the two evangelists. The text of John's Passion is not only shorter but also more pointed, sometimes even more aggressive. All comparisons become unnecessary when one indulges in the fantastic music, for which the Belgian vocal ensemble Vox Luminis, with whom we already performed Bach's "Mass in B minor" in October, is the ideal musical partner. The clear voices of the ensemble members, the flawless intonation, and the precise pronunciation harmonize ideally with Bach's works. A free introductory lecture will take place at 5:15 p.m. in the Rolf-Böhme-Saal.
Georg Friedrich Händel's "Tamerlano" is considered an insider tip among connoisseurs. Unlike his other operas, "Tamerlano" focuses on sophisticated recitatives rather than flamboyant arias, making it a psychological study rather than a baroque revue. Unusually, the main role of Bajazit is given to a tenor, not a castrato, and his suicide scene occurs almost entirely on stage. The opera was praised by contemporaries for its melodies and effects. Conductor René Jacobs emphasizes the strength of Nicola Francesco Haym's libretto. A free introductory lecture will take place at 6:15 pm in the Rolf-Böhme-Saal.
The Basel Chamber Orchestra, known for its exceptional concert experiences, returns to Freiburg with a program featuring Sibelius' Andante festivo, Brahms' Symphony No. 3, and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. Yulianna Avdeeva, winner of the 2010 Warsaw Chopin Competition, makes her Freiburg debut performing Beethoven's concerto. Conducted by Marc Minkowski, the orchestra's performance promises a unique blend of captivating ensemble sound and individual artistry.
Works by Lutosławski, Saariaho, and Debussy performed by Carolin Widmann (violin) and the SWR Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Bas Wiegers. The program includes Lutosławski's "Little Suite", Saariaho's "Graal théâtre" and "Verblendungen", and Debussy's "La mer". A pre-concert talk starts at 7 pm.
Works by Say, Françaix, and Dvořák featuring Matvey Demin (flute), Anne Angerer (oboe), Ivo Ruf (clarinet), and others. The program includes Say's "Alevi Fathers on the Rakı Table" for wind quintet, Françaix's Wind Quintet No. 1, and Dvořák's String Quintet in G major, Op. 77.
HighScore, a new concert format, explores the world of video games. Experience epic melodies from Final Fantasy and Assassin's Creed, dark tones of BioShock, and nostalgic Legend of Zelda.
Performance of works by Cras, Penderecki, and Koechlin featuring Anton Hollich (clarinet), Anna Breidenstein (violin), Janis Lielbardis (viola), and others. The program includes Cras' String Trio, Penderecki's Quartet for Clarinet and String Trio, and Koechlin's String Quartet No. 2.
Works by Dvořák and Zemlinsky. Featuring Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello) and the SWR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Giedrė Šlekytė. The program includes Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B minor and Zemlinsky's "The Mermaid". Concert introduction at 7 pm.
Johannes Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15, will be performed by pianist Alexandre Kantorow, the SWR Symphony Orchestra, and conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada.
The SWR Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrés Orozco-Estrada, and François Leleux (oboe) will perform works by Strauss and Brahms. The program includes Strauss' Oboe Concerto and Brahms' Symphony No. 2. A pre-concert talk will take place at 6 PM.
World-renowned pianist Igor Levit, known for his diverse programming, rarely played Chopin. However, this changed in 2024 with performances at the Salzburg Festival and Elbphilharmonie. In 2025, he'll play Chopin's Piano Sonata in B minor at the Albert Concerts, preceded by Schubert's Sonata in B-flat major and Schumann's Night Pieces. Chopin's sonata, his last, blends tradition and visionary spirit, reflecting his genius as both virtuoso and poet.
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