This edition of the exclusive Vienna Phil subscription concerts, conducted by young conducting superstar Jakub Hrusa, features a carefully and beautifully selected programme of Czech and Hungarian music: Hrusa seizes every opportunity to derive additional bursts of energy from the rhythm and tension of the music, savours melodic developments and spurs the Philharmonic on to soloistic high-wire acts. Kodaly’s brilliance, Bartok’s fascinating motor skills, Dvorak’s picturesque fairy-tale sounds, Janacek’s austere grandeur: an opulent and haunting combination” (Die Presse). PROGRAM Kodaly: Dances Of Galanta; Bartok: The Miraculous Mandarin; Dvorak: The Wild Dove; Janacek: Taras Bulba (Rhapsody)
Fazil Say at Mozartwoche
The singular pianist Fazil Say centers this recital during Salzburg’s Mozart Week around Bach’s monumental Goldberg Variations. Although the late Bach is cornerstone of piano music and a milestone for many pianists, Say’s unique performance manages to make even this well-known and often played work a journey of discovery for the audience: “Time and again, the listener has the sudden impression that Fazil Say has just joyfully discovered something completely new in the piece and is letting everyone share in it
with his smiling gaze” (Opera Online). Say follows up the Goldberg Variations wit Mozart’s Fantasy No. 3 and his own piano sonata “Yeni hayat” (New Life), which he composed in 2021 during the pandemic. PROGRAM Bach: Goldberg Variations; Mozart: Fantasy No. 3, K. 397, Piano Sonata No. 11; Say: Piano Sonata “Yeni hayat”
Wiener Philharmoniker: Thielemann conducts Brahms
Continuing their ongoing Brahms cycle, Thielemann and the Wiener Philharmoniker bring a “combination of magnificent sound and deep meaning” (Kurier) to their interpretation of the Fourth Symphony. Gautier Capuçon and Augustin Hadelich “enchanted” (Der Standard) with the Double Concerto for violin and cello. “Thieleman, Capuçon, Hadelich – the very best for Brahms” (Kurier) Program: Brahms: Concerto for Violin and Violoncello in A Minor, op. 102, Hungarian Dance No. 5, arranged for Cello and Violin, Symphony No. 4
Salzburg Festival 2025: Andris Nelsons conducts Mahler & Shostakovich
Years into their joint Mahler symphony cycle, Andris Nelsons has proven time and time again that he is at home with Mahler at the podium of the Wiener Philharmoniker: “Under Andris Nelsons, the Tenth Symphony becomes an event.” (Salzburger Nachrichten). Symphonies Nos. 2-7 & 9 of this cycle are also available. “Nelsons is completely in his element” (BR Klassik) “Rich in colour and dynamics, and full of gripping suspense” (Kurier) PROGRAM: Mahler- Adagio from the Symphony No. 10; Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10
Salzburg Festival 2025: Mozart Matinee with Gonzalez-Monjas
The program of this Mozart Matinee with Roberto González-Monjas highlights Mozart’s vocal music including arias and cantatas. On this regard, an highlight is the Die Maurerfreude — Cantata for tenor, male choir and orchestra K. 471 performed by Bogdan Volkov and the Bachchor Salzburg together with the attempted reconstruction of the original version of the Maurerische Trauermusik. Bass Manuel Winckhler joins Bogdan Volkov as a soloist are then performing arias from Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte and La clemenza di Tito. To conclude, the Mozarteum Orchestra delivers a splendid performance of Symphony in E-flat major K. 543.
Wiener Philharmoniker: Ivan Fischer conducts Mahler & Haydn
Leading the Wiener Philharmoniker in a traditional subscription concert for the very first time, conductor Ivan Fischer presents Haydn’s rarely heard Sturm und Drang symphony “with great sensitivity, encouraging the Philharmonic to play with transparency and delicacy” (Die Presse), before delving into Mahler’s Lied von der Erde with renowned soloists Tanja Ariane Baumgartner and Daniel Behle. PROGRAM Haydn: Symphony No. 52: Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Salzburg Festival 2024: Mozart Matinee with Fischer & Sternath
Hungarian born Adam Fischer is one of the most important conductors working today, chief conductor of the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker. He joins this Mozart Matinee in company of pianist Lukas Sternath, winner of several international piano competitions such as 63rd International Ferruccio Busoni Piano Competition in Bolzano, the 14th International Schubert Competition in Dortmund and the 17th European Piano Competition in Bremen. Program: Mozart: Maurerische Trauermusik in C minor K. 477 (479a); Piano Concerto in D minor K. 466 (solo cadenzas by Ludwig van Beethoven); Symphony in C major K. 425 — ’Linz’.
The Vienna Christmas Concert at St. Stephen’s Cathedral
From traditional Christmas carols to John Williams soundtracks – the Vienna Christmas Concert in Vienna’s grand St. Stephen’s cathedral is sure to put anybody in a festive mood! This edition features French conductor Stéphane Denève at the helm of the Wiener Symphoniker and the Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, presenting a programme that spans the gamut of festive music, including Mozart’s Laudate Dominum with soprano Rosa Feola, to Saint- Saëns’ Ave Maria with mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey, pieces from Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel and chorus hits from the beloved Christmas film Home Alone
Popelka conducts Dvorak and Strauss
Together with the Wiener Symphoniker and cellist Gautier Capuçon, Petr Popelka proves to be “a conductor who knows how to unleash storms” (Kurier). First, Capuçon shines with a repertoire favourite – Antonin Dvorák’s cello concerto in B minor. “In the midst of the marvellously accompanying symphony orchestra, he was able to showcase all his skills and, above all, his stunningly full-bodied instrument” (Die Presse). What followed in the second half was equally brilliant with Strauss’ tone poems Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche: The Dream Team captivated the audience with their exuberant joy of playing and a cornucopia of sound…enchanting changes of mood and tempo, magical moments of calm, poetry and light-footed mischief: it was all there” (Der Standard). PROGRAM: Dvorak – Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 104; Strauss – Don Juan, Op. 20; Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Op. 28
Grafenegg: Midsummer Night’s Gala 2024
Ringing in the summer festival season every year, the Midsummer Night’s Gala is the Grafenegg Festival’s flagship event bringing internationally renowned performers to the Wolkenturm stage. This edition features Swiss soprano Regula Mühlemann and Samoan tenor Pene Pati, ” two wonderfully radiant voices” (k.at), and accordion player Martynas Levickis. Conductor Marta Gardolinska and the Tonkunstler-Orchestra present highlights from Smetana’s Bartered Bride, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Verdi’s Macbeth as well as traditional Lithuanian and Maori folk songs. Martynas Levickis highlighted new and exciting facets of old audience favourite with his accordion arrangement of Bizet’s Carmen Suite. A worthy start to the festival summer!