News
07.01.2025
The positive power of individuals. Srnka's “Superorganisms” in Berlin
Miroslav Srnka's “Superorganisms” for orchestra has already experienced an impressive journey around the world: originally composed for Kirill Petrenko and the Berliner Philharmoniker, the world premiere had to be postponed and took place in Tokyo in June 2023 with the NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yoichi Sugiyama. This was followed a year later by the Paris premiere under Klaus Mäkelä. Now this impressive orchestral work will be performed for the first time in Germany on 13, 14 and 15 February 2025 in »more«
07.01.2025
Without templates: Dieter Ammann's viola concerto in Basel
Dieter Ammann's compositional principle is succinctly summarised in the title of his new viola concerto “no templates”: What is meant is “an openness of thought in dealing with the genre” and equally “an openness with regard to the variety of techniques used and different textures”, a risk at all times, a walk into the open, and thus also a tribute to the dedicatee Wolfgang Rihm. »more«
07.01.2025
Mythical constellation: Rameau’s “Castor et Pollux” in the first version
Jean-Philippe Rameau recounted the story of the brothers Castor and Pollux with dramatic force in two versions. His tragédie from 1737 shone with contrasts and expressiveness as well as an impressive underworld scene, but it was only in the later, revised version from 1754 that it achieved complete success. The early version is now being staged at the Opéra Garnier in Paris by a prominent artistic team led by Peter Sellars (photo) and Teodor Currentzis with Jeanine de Bique and Reinoud Van Mechelen. »more«
07.01.2025
Major events with music by Philipp Maintz
For Aachen-born composer Philipp Maintz, the new year begins with an impressive series of world premieres and first performances that will take place not only in his native city. Works by the “Composer-in-Focus” include “red china green house” for orchestra on 1 January 2025 in Aachen and on 5 January in the Kölner Philharmonie. Furthermore, the world premiere of the orchestral work “ariadne faden” will be performed on 16 and 17 February 2025 in Aachen under the baton of Marc Niemann. »more« (Photo: Matthias Hoffmann)
10.05.2023
No debate!
"Once Pintscher made his KCS debut this past March, there was no debate." These words from the Kansas City Symphony's announcement alone are already an accolade, describing the outstanding impact of Matthias Pintscher's debut as conductor of the orchestra in the Midwest. As the conclusion of a two-year search, the KCS chose to appoint Pintscher as its new Music Director after a performance featuring works by Ravel, Scriabin, and Ligeti that was celebrated by both audiences and critics. »more«
01.02.2023
Premieres of Works by Andrea Lorenzo Scartazzini
More than half of the “Mahler/Scartazzini Cycle” has already been performed in Jena: Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 and Andrea Lorenzo Scartazzini’s “Einklang” as well as the premiere of “Omen” and No. 6 can be heard in Jena on 23 March 2023; on 12 May 2023 part 7 of the cycle will have its first performance. The project which was initiated by Simon Gaudenz and the Jenaer Philharmonie began in 2018 and will be completed in 2025. Gustav Mahler and his works are, in Scartazzini’s words, “a counterpart that speaks to me even over a distance of more than 100 years … their world of thought, their construction, a certain movement; all these are impulses that in the end lead me to my own musical work.” »more« (photo: LA Consulting)
01.02.2023
Saverio Mercadante’s “Francesca da Rimini” at Frankfurt Opera
Following the highly acclaimed recent performance at the Tirol Festival in Erl (photo), Saverio Mercadante’s enthralling setting of “Francesca da Rimini”, the unhappy love story of Paolo and Francesca, is to be performed for the first time ever in Germany. The premiere is on 26 February at the Frankfurt Opera, named “Opera House of the Year” in Germany for the sixth time by “Opernwelt“ magazine. The performances use Hans Walter Richter’s production of Felice Romani’s two-act “dramma per musica” after Dante’s “Divina Commedia”, but with a vocal cast with different singers in the leading roles. The title role will be sung by leading soprano Jessica Pratt, with Spanish conductor Ramón Tebar directing the Opera and Museum Orchestra. – Oper Frankfurt
