Classical concerts featuring

Dresdner Philharmonie

abgeFRACKt: Symphony of Fate

Long Night of the Theaters: Concerts!

Attention: Tickets for this event will be available at a later date through the 'Long Night of the Theaters'. Recorder? Anyone can play it! How wrong this prejudice is becomes evident at a concert with Dorothee Oberlinger. She conjures sounds from the small instrument with a virtuosity that is unforgettable. In our concert, she will perform, among other pieces, the one by Terry Riley, which essentially introduced Minimal Music to the world. A music that can create an incredible pull with just a few notes. But one can also hardly resist the pull of the flute, especially when played by Marianna Julia Zolnacz, our new solo flutist. A musical celebration for flute fans and those who could become one!

Charlie Chaplin

Tristan and Isolde

Best of Classics: The Rite of Spring

In the concerts of the series "Best of Classical Music," you will hear the most famous works of classical music. A brief introduction by a moderator at the beginning will provide insights into the piece and offer listening tips. Following this, the entire work will be performed. Afterwards, we would be happy to welcome you to our bar on the 1st floor, where our moderator will engage in an artist talk with the conductor. This conversation is not strictly academic - rather, we aim to take you into the personal world of our guests. About the concert: Twenty woodwinds, eight horns, five trumpets, three trombones, two tubas, five timpani, and a large percussion section alone would be enough to fill an entire football stadium with sound! In Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring," the strings are added to the mix. However, they are not there to make noise but to play one of the most famous ballet scores of the 20th century. During its premiere in 1913, the audience was outraged and left the hall with boos. Once a scandal, this piece is now indispensable in the concert hall.

Debussy and Strawinski

Composed in 1913, "Le Sacre du Printemps" (The Rite of Spring) is considered one of the key works of the 20th century. The premiere of the ballet in Paris caused a scandal. Only with great effort and by ignoring the boos from the audience, the music was able to be played to the end. The ballet music, which is mostly performed in concert today, shines with almost acrobatic rhythms and sonically exciting combinations of various instruments in a very large and elaborate orchestra. Alone, 20 woodwinds, eight horns, several trumpets and trombones, numerous percussion instruments, and a large string section create a tremendous sound impression. In contrast, Ligeti's "Lux Aeterna" seems to transport the choir alone to distant realms with its soundscapes. It is no wonder that Stanley Kubrick used this music in his monumental film "2001: A Space Odyssey."

Tatatataaa!

Beethoven's symphonies are part of the "basic equipment" of all orchestras. Who hasn't heard the "ta-ta-ta-taaaa" somewhere before! What is fascinating about his works? Why did Beethoven become a classic at all? What is behind the "Fate Symphony" - the nickname of the Fifth Symphony? The Dresden Philharmonic invites students to get to know the music and life of Beethoven. Grades 7-10

Tatatataaa!

Beethoven's symphonies are part of the "basic equipment" of all orchestras. Who hasn't heard the "ta-ta-ta-taaaa" somewhere before! What is fascinating about his works? Why did Beethoven become a classic at all? What is behind the "Fate Symphony" - the nickname of the Fifth Symphony? The Dresden Philharmonic invites students to get to know the music and life of Beethoven. Grades 7-10

abgeFRACKt: Symphony of Fate

phil to explore ... in Beethoven's 5th Symphony

Mahler's Unfinished

For many, thirteen is an unlucky number. But for composers, it is rather the number ten, because starting with Beethoven, many were able to complete a ninth symphony, but died before finishing their tenth or didn't dare to begin it at all. Like Mahler, who sketched his Tenth Symphony but had to leave it unfinished. However, even though he did not complete it, the sorrow, pain, and deeply felt anguish in this music remains one of the most moving pieces one can hear in a concert. On the other hand, Shostakovich composed fifteen symphonies, but his Fourth was not heard for decades. The blame lay with Stalin, who put so much pressure on the composer that he withdrew his work. The communist regime found the drastic way in which the composer expressed the horrors of the terror regime to be too dangerous.

Mahler's Unfinished

For many, thirteen is an unlucky number. But for composers, it is rather the number ten, because starting with Beethoven, many were able to complete a ninth symphony, but died before finishing their tenth or didn't dare to begin it at all. Like Mahler, who sketched his Tenth Symphony but had to leave it unfinished. However, even though he did not complete it, the sorrow, pain, and deeply felt anguish in this music remains one of the most moving pieces one can hear in a concert. On the other hand, Shostakovich composed fifteen symphonies, but his Fourth was not heard for decades. The blame lay with Stalin, who put so much pressure on the composer that he withdrew his work. The communist regime found the drastic way in which the composer expressed the horrors of the terror regime to be too dangerous.

America!

America!

America!

Who doesn't know the love story of Romeo and Juliet? Also in Bernstein's "West Side Story" it is about two young people whose love tragically ends. The special thing here is of course the music, Leonard Bernstein has combined various currents of jazz, classical opera, and Latin American dance music into an exciting musical sequence that still keeps us on the edge of our seats. When Gershwin spent two months in Paris in 1928, he was fascinated by the morbid-lustful atmosphere in Montmartre, the rush hour on the Champs-Élysées, and admired the imposing Eiffel Tower. But he actually felt homesick for New York, and that's exactly what the music in "An American in Paris" tells. A ragtime portrays the American. A blues in the middle part represents his melancholy. But luckily, the American meets a compatriot. The two ignore the Cancan-dancing Paris with a casual-cool Charleston.

Schumann and Brahms

"The melodies fly so freely that one must be careful not to step on any." When listening to Johannes Brahms' Second Symphony, one can hear that he composed it almost in the midst of nature. He spent an entire summer at Lake Wörthersee in Austria, where one can still trace the landscapes that inspired his melodies. Even the audience at the time believed to hear blue skies, babbling springs, sunshine, and cool shadows in it, and to this day, it is probably his most popular work for orchestra. In contrast, Robert Schumann's Violin Concerto is very introspective, and for a long time, it stood somewhat in the shadow of other concerts of its kind. Very human and full of soulful emotions set to music, it certainly does not fall short of them!

Long Night of the Theaters: Concerts!

Attention: Tickets for this event will be available at a later date through the 'Long Night of the Theaters'. Recorder? Anyone can play it! How wrong this prejudice is becomes evident at a concert with Dorothee Oberlinger. She conjures sounds from the small instrument with a virtuosity that is unforgettable. In our concert, she will perform, among other pieces, the one by Terry Riley, which essentially introduced Minimal Music to the world. A music that can create an incredible pull with just a few notes. But one can also hardly resist the pull of the flute, especially when played by Marianna Julia Zolnacz, our new solo flutist. A musical celebration for flute fans and those who could become one!

Long Night of the Theaters: Concerts!

Attention: Tickets for this event will be available at a later date through the 'Long Night of the Theaters'.

Haendel

phil to explore ...at the musical fireworks

Today, the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra is really going to make some noise. Centuries ago, during big celebrations, a proper fireworks display was set off. This was also the case in April 1749, when the British King George II, who hailed from Hanover, organized a grand peace festival. Georg Friedrich Handel composed music for the occasion, which is still popular today because it puts everyone in a good mood. One can only hope that the little Philharmonic Orchestra doesn't get any silly ideas, or does it? Daniel will have a lot to do this morning. But don't worry! The fire department is always present at every concert in the Kulturpalast.

Grieg Piano Concerto

Contemporary music often struggles. The Third Symphony of the Polish composer Górecki initially received criticism. However, excerpts from it became pop hits in the USA and landed on the charts. Yet, its theme is quite serious: Górecki wrote the music and lyrics in reference to World War II and particularly the suffering in concentration camps. In contrast, the piano concerto, which brought international fame to the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, exudes a completely different mood. In it, the young composer had found the colors of his homeland. In the first movement, one can almost hear the freshness and the special light of the North. A showcase piece for Boris Giltburg, who can bring all these colors to life. The concerts on May 10th and 11th are part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and will also be performed in Wrocław. They continue the collaboration between the Dresden Philharmonic and the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic.

Mozart and Pärt

As different as their music is, both are considered as a kind of holy figures: Mozart and the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt have created works that deeply touch and can lead their listeners into spiritual realms. At least for many, this is the case with Mozart's Requiem, and also Pärt's choral works remind us that beyond the visible, there is also a spiritual world that connects us all. The Dresdner Kreuzchor and the Dresdner Philharmonie continue their tradition of joint concerts with works by these two composers and at the same time commemorate the end of World War II 80 years ago.

Mozart and Pärt

As different as their music is, both are considered as a kind of holy figures: Mozart and the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt have created works that deeply touch and can lead their listeners into spiritual realms. At least for many, this is the case with Mozart's Requiem, and also Pärt's choral works remind us that beyond the visible, there is also a spiritual world that connects us all. The Dresdner Kreuzchor and the Dresdner Philharmonie continue their tradition of joint concerts with works by these two composers and at the same time commemorate the end of World War II 80 years ago.

Mozart: Requiem

What would have happened if Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had had time to complete his Requiem? What worlds might have opened up to us if the then 35-year-old had not been carried off in 1791 by the »severe miliary fever« – a diagnosis that has not been clearly identified to this day? Now his last, most mysterious and existential work has remained a fragment – albeit skilfully completed by Franz Xaver Süßmayr. It is only logical that the world-famous Dresdner Kreuzchor (boys’ choir) understands the fragmentary nature of the Requiem as a quality and sets it with works by a contemporary composer who is known for his deeply spiritual attitude like almost no other: Arvo Pärt. At the Elbphilharmonie, compositions by the Estonian composer are combined with the masterly sounds of Mozart to create a new whole that illuminates death – and life – from a perspective between then and now.

abgeFRACKt: Romeo and Juliet

Firebird

With a large orchestra, one can tell whole stories. One of the greatest musical storytellers was undoubtedly Igor Stravinsky. The sounds and rhythms conjured by him caused scandals more than 100 years ago - today, on the other hand, they inspire us to create grand images like in the cinema. This is also the case with the tale of the "Firebird" with all its sophisticated colors and instruments: eerie and dark sounds for the immortal sorcerer Kashchey, bright colors for the Firebird, and folkloric music for the prince and princess. Unusual orchestral instruments such as tambourine and xylophone are also included.

Firebird

With a large orchestra, one can tell whole stories. One of the greatest musical storytellers was undoubtedly Igor Stravinsky. The sounds and rhythms conjured by him caused scandals more than 100 years ago - today, on the other hand, they inspire us to create grand images like in the cinema. This is also the case with the tale of the "Firebird" with all its sophisticated colors and instruments: eerie and dark sounds for the immortal sorcerer Kashchey, bright colors for the Firebird, and folkloric music for the prince and princess. Unusual orchestral instruments such as tambourine and xylophone are also included.

Stravinsky Firebird

With a large orchestra, one can tell whole stories. And one of the greatest musical storytellers was undoubtedly Igor Stravinsky. The sounds and rhythms he conjured up caused scandals over 100 years ago, but today they inspire us to create grand images like in the cinema. This is also the case with the tale of the "Firebird" with all its sophisticated colors and instruments: eerie and dark sounds for the immortal sorcerer Kastchei, bright colors for the Firebird, and folkloric music for the prince and princess. Unusual orchestral instruments like tambourine and xylophone are also included. <br><br>JUN 7: Concert as part of the Dresden Music Festival.

Stravinsky Firebird

With a large orchestra, one can tell whole stories. And one of the greatest musical storytellers was undoubtedly Igor Stravinsky. The sounds and rhythms he conjured up caused scandals over 100 years ago, but today they inspire us to create grand images like in the cinema. This is also the case with the tale of the "Firebird" with all its sophisticated colors and instruments: eerie and dark sounds for the immortal sorcerer Kastchei, bright colors for the Firebird, and folkloric music for the prince and princess. Unusual orchestral instruments like tambourine and xylophone are also included. <br><br>JUN 7: Concert as part of the Dresden Music Festival.

Sanderling and Hadelich

Benjamin Britten sensed that the Second World War would soon break out. He couldn't bear to stay in England, so he boarded a ship to Canada. The weight of this decision for him, as a committed pacifist, can be heard in his music. Even during the crossing, he worked on his Violin Concerto in D minor, which will be performed by Augustin Hadelich in our concert. Dmitri Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony also bears the mark of this war, albeit composed on the other side, in Stalin's Soviet Union. For Shostakovich, it was a balancing act: he did not want to write optimistic music, yet it could not be purely tragic. The result is a work that reflects these contradictions. Michael Sanderling is considered one of the leading Shostakovich experts among conductors of our time. He experienced the close friendship between his father and the composer firsthand as a child.

Sanderling and Hadelich

Benjamin Britten sensed that the Second World War would soon break out. He couldn't bear to stay in England, so he boarded a ship to Canada. The weight of this decision for him, as a committed pacifist, can be heard in his music. Even during the crossing, he worked on his Violin Concerto in D minor, which will be performed by Augustin Hadelich in our concert. Dmitri Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony also bears the mark of this war, albeit composed on the other side, in Stalin's Soviet Union. For Shostakovich, it was a balancing act: he did not want to write optimistic music, yet it could not be purely tragic. The result is a work that reflects these contradictions. Michael Sanderling is considered one of the leading Shostakovich experts among conductors of our time. He experienced the close friendship between his father and the composer firsthand as a child.