Bach’s timeless, irresistible Christmas Oratorio returns to Leipzig – and to St. Thomas’s Church, where several of its six gorgeous cantatas were heard for the very first time in 1734-35! Adding to the historical import of this unmissable event are the Gewandhausorchester, one of the world’s oldest and most venerated orchestras founded in 1781, and the Thomanerchor (St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig), a legendary ensemble formed over eight hundred years ago in 1212 and directed by Bach himself between 1723 and 1750. The eighteenth person to hold the post of Thomaskantor since Bach, Andreas Reize leads the impeccable orchestra and choir – joined by soloists Christina Landshamer, Benedikt Kristjánsson, and Konstantin Krimmel – in a festive and delightful performance of one of those cherished works from which the holiday spirit flows unfettered and ebullient.
Masaaki Suzuki plays Arp Schnitger Organs – Bach and Buxtehude
Arp Schnitger (1648-1719) was one of the most influential among the Northern European organ builders. Of his more than 150 organs built or rebuilt especially in the Netherlands and Northern Germany, a number of these instruments still survive and are being played to the day. Conductor, cembalist and organist Masaaki Suzuki, internationally known as a profound expert of J.S. Bach’s works as well as for his historical performance practice, travels to three churches in Northern Germany and the Netherlands to play on their historical Arp Schnitger-organs: The Martinikerk in Groningen, the Ludgeri Church in the German city of Norden as well as to the St. Jacobi Church in Hamburg, to perform organ master pieces of J. S. Bach and Dieterich Buxtehude.
Le Concert de Paris 2023
The Concert de Paris celebrates its 10th edition: like every year on July 14, the Orchestre National de France welcomes the warm season with a large musical gathering at the foot of the Eiffel Tower! Conducted by Cristian Macelaru, and accompanied by the Chorus of Radio France, the orchestra invites the audience around the world and thousands of people on the spot, to experience great arias and famous concert pieces in the company of prestigious soloists like Ermonela Jaho, Daniil Trifonov, Vilde Frang, Pretty Yende, Franceso Demuro, Ludovic Tezier and Stephanie d’Oustrac.
RCO: Gardiner conducts Brahms Symphony No. 3
Who was Johannes Brahms? In a new cycle of four concerts, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, is investigating Brahms’s œuvre through the lens of the four symphonies performed over two seasons and accompanied by other works by the composer. The Third Symphony is juxtaposed with choral works sang by the Monteverdi Choir. Under the baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Brahms is instilled with a new radiance and vitality. PROGRAM Brahms: Symphony No. 1, Choral Works
RCO: Gardiner conducts Brahms Symphony No. 4
Who was Johannes Brahms? In a new cycle of four concerts, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, is investigating Brahms’s œuvre through the lens of the four symphonies performed over two seasons and accompanied by other works by the composer. The Fourth Symphony is juxtaposed with the Second Piano Concerto with soloist Stephen Hough. Under the baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Brahms is instilled with a new radiance and vitality. PROGRAM Brahms: Symphony No. 4, Piano Concerto No. 2
Dona Nobis Pacem – A ballet by John Neumeier
„Dona Nobis Pacem“ – give us peace. This title is important to me, even at the risk of seeming naïve, pathetic or even pretentious to some. In light of the rampant irreconcilability in our world, this thought provided an important stimulus for me to engage with Johann Sebastian Bach‘s multi-layered composition. In my 50th season as artistic director, I see this creation as a great opportunity. It would be inconceivable for me to create a ballet with the Mass in B minor with another company. Something like this is only possible with a familiar ensemble, which the dancers of my company are in a unique way. (John Neumeier)
RCO: Myung-whun Chung conducts Mahler 5
Myung-whun Chung adds a new chapter to the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s deep bond with Mahler’s kaleidoscopic Fifth Symphony. The Concertgebouw Orchestra has given no fewer than 127 performances of this symphony, the first time under the baton of the composer himself in 1906.
Pretty Yende & Nadine Sierra – Women’s Day Concert 2023
Two sopranos among the rising stars in the field, Pretty Yende and Nadine Sierra, in a recital of arias and duets, accompanied by the Les Frivolités Parisiennes, conducted by Giacomo Sagripanti. A Women’s Day Concert 2023 filmed in the Philharmonie de Paris.
Sleeping Beauty – A ballet by Christian Spuck
In 1890, Sleeping Beauty, choreographed by Marius Petipa, was premiered in St. Petersburg with Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s immortal music. In his version for Ballett Zürich, Christian Spuck revives the ballet classic in his own personal artistic style. He takes the old Sleeping Beauty story and scrutinizes every aspect of it. With a great deal of humor, Christian Spuck addresses the complex process of growing up, relating themes such as generational conflicts with one’s parents, the difficulties of becoming a mature adult, and, last but not least, love and sexuality. Whenever possible, he frees the characters from their traditional role clichés. Petipa’s version becomes a model that Christian Spuck occasionally cites yet repeatedly questions and counteracts with irony and occasionally irritating moments.
Hollywood in Vienna – A Celebration of Disney Classics featuring Alan Menken
Alan Menken, is one of Hollywood’s most successful film composers and a true Disney legend. Alan Menken wrote melodies that are known around the globe and are beloved by generations. Stars from Broadway and West End pay tribute to 8-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken with a spectacular gala concert. Menken’s longtime music director, Michael Kosarin, conducts the ORF Radio-Symphony Orchestra Vienna. The program for the gala includes highlights of Alan Menken’s career including, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Tangled, Hercules, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Pocahontas.