The opening of the Lucerne Festival 2012, Claudio Abbado and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra in the first part present a most powerful composition dedicated to Goethe’s hero Egmont, the Incidental Music to ‘Egmont’ by Beethoven. The second part of the program includes Mozart’s last composition, the Requiem in D Minor, which was left unfinished due to the early death of the composer.
Christmas Special: Christmas in the Erzgebirge
Christmas in the Erzgebirge is one of Saxony’s most treasurable cultural traditions. The region’s centuries old mining industry has produced a unique response to Christmas, which is celebrated by means of numerous customs in which music plays a decisive role. The Renaissance town of Marienberg at the very heart of the historic Erzgebirge is the setting for a concert of classical and seasonal works performed by Germany’s only classical orchestra made up exclusively of wind instruments, the Sächsische Bläserphilharmonie (Saxon Wind Philharmonic). They were joined by the Rundfunk Jugendchor Wernigerode (Wernigerode Radio Youth Choir) and German soprano Ruth Ziesak. —– Works by Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY, Engelbert HUMPERDINCK, Pjotr Iljitsch TCHAIKOWSKY and Richard WAGNER.
800 Years St. Thomas Boys Choir: The Saint Matthew Passion
In 2012, one of the finest boys’ choirs in the world, the St. Thomas Boys Choir Leipzig, celebrated its 800th anniversary. An almost unbelievable period of time, if one considers that the choir outlasted all ups and downs of European history, maintaining its unbroken traditions over the centuries and holding onto established principles such as the inclusion of the elder boys in the education of the younger ones. A musical event of very particular significance during the anniversary celebration, is the traditional performance of one of Bach’s Passions in St. Thomas Church in the run-up to Easter.
‘Fiesta del Tango’ from Buenos Aires
The most renowned stars of the Argentinean tango scene performing in the famous ballroom ‘El Palacio’ in Buenos Aires, where tango legend Carlos Gardel accomplished his greatest successes in the twenties and thirties of the last century. The tango show features ‘Otros Aires’, ‘Café de los Maestros’, former lead singer of the Astor Piazzolla Band, Teresa Parodi, and Rodolfo Mederos. The artists are accompanied with the finest dancing stars such as ‘Eduardo y Gloria’.
Lucerne Festival: Moving to Modern Times: Simon Rattle conducts works by Ligeti, Wagner, Sibelius, Debussy and Ravel
In 2011, theBerliner Philharmoniker under Sir Simon Rattle started their Lucerne series ‘Moving to Modern Times’. In 2012 they continued their celebrated and acclaimed start with pieces by Ligeti, Sibelius and Wagner. —— PROGRAM: György LIGETI ‘Atmosphères’ for full orchestra; Richard WAGNER: Prelude to ‘Lohengrin’; Jean SIBELIUS: Symphony No.4 in A minor, op. 63; Claude DEBUSSY ‘Jeux. Poème dansé pour orchestre’; Maurice RAVEL: ‘Daphnis et Chloé’. 2ème Suite
Riccardo Chailly and Helene Grimaud perform works by Ravel and Mahler
The Gewandhaus Orchestra and Music Director Riccardo Chailly have acquired legendary status. Acclaimed concert tours and glorious reviews testifying to their continuing success. 2012 Riccardo Chailly continued his Mahler cycle with the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig with the performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. together with Ravel’s piano concerto played by the outstanding pianist Helene Grimaud. —— PROGRAM: MAURICE RAVEL Piano Concerto in G Major; GUSTAV MAHLER: Symphony No. 4 in G Major
The Creation (Die Schöpfung)
The Nederlands Kamerkoor, under the direction of Klaas Stok and in cooperation with the Concerto D’Amsterdam, performs Haydn’s breath-taking oratorio ‘Die Schöpfung’ live from the world renowned Amsterdam Concertgebouw.
Mozart’s Final Symphonies
Frans Brüggen and his Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century re-invent the classical masterpieces of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and other early 18th century composers by playing them on period instruments and interpret the music as if written yesterday. After almost 30 years of traveling all around the globe they now, in their 99th world tour, play Mozart with the spirit, freshness and eagerness of their first concert. On the programme Mozart’s Final three Symphonies including No. 40, the first ever played symphony by Frans Brüggen and his band.
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra -Opening Gala 2010/2011 with Gustavo Dudamel and Juan Diego Flórez
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra started its season with a great Gala Concert conducted by music director Gustavo Dudamel. As special guest: star tenor Juan Diego Flórez. The programme includes popular arias by Rossini as well as famous songs by Latin-American composers. Programme: Rossini, Overture to ‘La gazza ladra’, Overture to ‘Semiramide’, ‘La Speranza piu soave’ from Semiramide, Overture to Guillaume Tell, ‘Asil ereditaire’ from Guillaume Tell; Granada (arr. Florez),’ La flor de la canela’; Mancayo,’ Huapango’; Grever (arr. Guinovart), ‘Jurame’; Gutierrez (arr. Pena), ‘Alma Ilanera’; Marquez, Danzon No. 2; Encores: Verdi, ‘La donna e mobile’ from Rigoletto; Gounod: ‘Ah, leve toi soleil’ from Romeo and Juliette.
Tanglewood 75th Anniversary Celebration
Located in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts, Tanglewood is one of the world’s most beloved music festivals and serves as the summer home for the famed Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). Tanglewood 75th Anniversary Celebration festures the BSO, the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, under the direction of conductors Keith Lockhart, Andris Nelsons, John Williams and David Zinman. Performers include pianists Emanuel Ax and Peter Serkin, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and vocalist James Taylor, as well as the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, John Oliver. Program: COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man; BERNSTEIN Three dance episodes from On the Town; Selections / Great American Songbook; HAYDN Piano Concerto in D, 2nd & 3rd movements; TCHAIKOVSKY Andante cantabile, for cello and strings; SARASATE Carmen Fantasy, for violin and orchestra; RAVEL La Valse; BEETHOVEN Choral Fantasy