Classical Concerts at

Alte Oper

Rhapsody in Blue

Good kids play violin in the orchestra, cool kids play sax in the big band - isn't that how it always is in school? Of course, that's a cliché. But the big band and symphony orchestra are two different worlds. Here, however, both come together for Gershwin's eternal classics, along with Alain Altinoglu on the piano. Gershwin, the man who supplied American music with the sophistication of the classical orchestra format and the slightly brash sound of a jazzy, fresh wind section, and hits like "Rhapsody in Blue," in which chief conductor Alain Altinoglu can show that he also cuts a dazzling figure at the keyboard. If, however, something honks during the orchestral piece "An American in Paris," it's not the hr-Bigband's fault. No, Gershwin himself wrote car horns into his score. The good kids play violin, everyone else wants to play the horn in the hr Symphony Orchestra.

Gershwin

A program in the spirit of the great American whose music always exudes a unique casualness. Featuring the hr-Bigband and the hr-Symphony Orchestra, two sound worlds united for Gershwin and a world premiere by Thierry Escaich. Gershwin's music, always on the pulse of turbulent times, is exemplified by his "Rhapsody in Blue." The chief conductor himself takes to the piano keys, adding to the coolness. Concert duration: approx. 120 minutes including intermission.

Gershwin

A program in the spirit of the great American whose music always exudes a unique casualness. Featuring the hr-Bigband and the hr-Symphony Orchestra, two sound worlds united for Gershwin and a world premiere by Thierry Escaich. Gershwin's music, always on the pulse of turbulent times, is exemplified by his "Rhapsody in Blue." The chief conductor himself takes to the piano keys, adding to the coolness. Concert duration: approx. 120 minutes including intermission.

Fantastische Sinfonie

Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" depicts a man's descent into madness due to unrequited love. The symphony features grotesque dreams, death knells, a guillotine, and a witches' sabbath. Berlioz called this masterpiece "Episode in the Life of an Artist," a truly bizarre trip with visions of waltzes, murder, execution, and ultimately, a wild, orgiastic climax. This dark, chilling Romantic symphony, full of extreme sound effects, truly deserves its name.

Symphonie fantastique

Hector Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique" takes the audience on a journey through an artist's life, experiencing a groundbreaking sound journey. The artist, infatuated with a woman, sees her at a ball, seeks peace in the countryside, and has opium-induced visions of his execution and a demonic burial. Béla Bartók's 2nd Violin Concerto also traverses diverse worlds, with Christian Tetzlaff as the soloist, experiencing a thrilling finale.

Symphonie fantastique

Hector Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique" takes the audience on a journey through an artist's life, experiencing a groundbreaking sound journey. The artist, infatuated with a woman, sees her at a ball, seeks peace in the countryside, and has opium-induced visions of his execution and a demonic burial. Béla Bartók's 2nd Violin Concerto also traverses diverse worlds, with Christian Tetzlaff as the soloist, experiencing a thrilling finale.

Meisterstück

Hilary Hahn, who started playing the violin at three and performing at six, is now a star violinist at 44. She first performed in Germany 30 years ago with Beethoven's violin concerto, the same piece she's playing at the Alte Oper's Junge Konzert. While her mastery is no longer a surprise, her performance will still be breathtaking. The concert lasts about 80 minutes without intermission.

Schostakowitsch 8

Hilary Hahn performs Beethoven's Violin Concerto, marking the 30th anniversary of her German debut with the same piece. The concert, part of Alte Oper Frankfurt's "Focus Hilary Hahn," also features Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8, performed by the hr-Symphony Orchestra and conductor Alain Altinoglu. The concert lasts approximately 135 minutes including intermission.

Schostakowitsch 8

Hilary Hahn performs Beethoven's Violin Concerto, marking the 30th anniversary of her German debut with the same piece. The concert, part of Alte Oper Frankfurt's "Focus Hilary Hahn," also features Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8, performed by the hr-Symphony Orchestra and conductor Alain Altinoglu. The concert lasts approximately 135 minutes including intermission.

Gastkonzert: Natur und Mensch

Man's relationship with nature is complex: a place of longing, a role model, and a victim. Nørgård uses Rilke's texts to find this connection in sound. Mason composes based on swarm intelligence, mirroring fish and birds' survival strategies. Staud's choir remembers death marches witnessed by willows. Pagh-Paan tells of Korea's exploitation and societal upheaval leading to a "loss of soul".

Works by Schubert and Beethoven

Brahms 3

Alain Altinoglu continues his Brahms cycle with the 3rd Symphony, aiming for a fresh, agile sound. This sunny symphony is paired with Brahms-Haydn connections, featuring award-winning hr solo trumpeter Sebastian Berner performing Haydn's Trumpet Concerto. Altinoglu emphasizes transparency over opulence in Brahms's "symphonic forest idyll." Brahms's "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" complements the program, although the theme's origin is debated.

Dvořák 9

One symphony isn't a symphony, while the other is among the most famous. Stravinsky's "Wind Symphony" may surprise. Dvořák's "New World" Symphony captivates with its Bohemian romanticism, influenced by New York. Its popular adagio features a catchy English horn solo. Stravinsky's work is rhythmically sharp and melodically cutting. Thierry Escaich's cello concerto is like a Bach-inspired aria. Concert duration: about 120 minutes including intermission.