Classical Concerts at

Kulturpalast Dresden

Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra

Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra

Charlie Chaplin

Tristan and Isolde

Spring

"Everything rejoices and hopes when spring renews itself," said Friedrich Schiller. Right on time for the beginning of spring, the musicians of the Young Symphony Orchestra at the State High School for Music invite the audience on an exciting musical journey from the mid-18th to the mid-20th century. Joseph Haydn's very special Symphony in F minor, "La passione," already suggests a connection between the Easter and Passion time and Ostara - the Germanic goddess of spring, fertility, and dawn. The inspiration for the program is also evident through the melodious Spring tributes of Frederik Delius, Jean Sibelius, or Lili Boulanger, with the musical journey also leading through distant and unique landscapes of the European continent: from the idyllic plains of England to the cool Parisian mornings and into the Finnish wilderness. Less picturesque, but brilliantly vivid, Antonín Dvorák explores the contrasting colors of the wilderness in a fascinating way in "The Wood Dove." Finally, Johann Strauss gifts us with light, warmth, and coziness in his waltz "Roses from the South."

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."

Mendelssohn Oktett

Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra

Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra

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.

Fauré!

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.

Dresden school choirs sing

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.

B-A-C-H

"Not Bach, he should be called the sea." This is how Beethoven summed up his admiration for the father of whole generations of composers. Max Reger expressed his admiration by composing the most diverse variations with the four tones that represent the four letters of the name Bach. Of course, only connoisseurs can hear where these tones appear, but that's not really the point, it's about the power and musical energy that speaks directly to us from this mighty "Fantasy and Fugue." Isabelle Demers, who will play it on our concert hall organ, has chosen a masterpiece by Bach and a piece by Rachel Laurin, who, like herself, is also from Canada. Invited by the Dresden Philharmonic.

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.

Four seasons

The Queen of instruments

The Queen of instruments

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.