Star pianist Daniel Barenboim embarks on a survey of Schubert’s completed piano sonatas. In each of the four recitals in the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin, Barenboim offers a journey through Schubert’s creative life, from the youthful sonatas of the earlier years to the great masterworks written during his final months. Universally recognized as supreme expressions of the Romantic spirit, these works, ignored after the composer’s death for more than a century, today stand at the centre of the piano repertoire, side by side with the piano works of Beethoven, Schubert’s admired predecessor and contemporary. The press raves about the Maestro’s Schubert interpretation: “Superb Schubert from
an Old Master.” (Bachtrack) “This is Schubert at his most intense. Breathtaking!” (Guardian) // Concert I: 83′; Concert II: 97′; Concert III: 88′; Concert IV: 87′;
As the highlight of the MPHIL 360° festival, Valery Gergiev performs all seven symphonies by Sergei Prokofiev with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mariinsky Orchestra in the Philharmonie Munich. In this “grandiose exhibition of the composer’s oeuvre” (BR Klassik), Gergiev delivers a stunning rendition of Prokofiev’s symphonic cycle 1-7, from the first symphony, which Prokofiev himself named the “Classical”, as ist style is very close to that of Joseph Haydn, to the much-loved Symphony No. 5 and the composer’s beautiful last symphony with its lyrical qualities. The Russian star conductor leads his musicians with minimal movements through Prokofiev’s phantasmagoria of sound. He excels in bringing the little details of the compositions to life – it is nothing short of an “intoxication which Gergiev so irresistibly generates!” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Returning to the stage where she achieved immense success, Anna Netrebko delivers a stunning performance of the most beautiful arias and duets from Italian Opera at the Waldbühne Berlin. For a magical night at the spectacular amphitheatre, the Russian star soprano is joined by Yusif Eyvazov. Being not only her partner on stage but also in life, the internationally acclaimed Azerbaijani tenor shines in beloved arias such as “Nessun dorma” from Turandot, whilst superstar Netrebko brings Verdi’s Macbeth and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi to life. The night’s repertoire also features several love songs by Igor Krutoy. The renowned Russian composer wrote the romantic pieces specifically for this “dream-team of the opera” (Berliner Morgenpost). The emotional opera duets and the contemporary Russian songs blend perfectly in the joyful and romantic atmosphere of this musical summer night’s dream by Netrebko and Eyvazov who “took Berlin by storm” (Opera Wire).
City Noir, John Adams’s work for orchestra, is a conglomeration of sophisticated solos, that pays homage to film noir with its title but also with its sinister and sensual sound language. Gustavo Dudamel leads the Berliner Philharmoniker “with lots of humour and real swing through the brilliantly instrumented urban jungle.” (Berliner Morgenpost). In an exciting juxtaposition, the Venezuelan conductor also performs Dvorák’s 9th symphony. Premiered in New York, the colourful work with the nickname “From the New World” brilliantly fuses American impressions and symphonic music. While the Largo can “hardly be imagined in a more noble way”, the Scherzo bursts with great energy, making the endless expanses of the Midwest “almost physically tangible in the swirling stream of sounds” (Tagesspiegel). PROGRAM Dvorak: Symphony No.9; Adams: City Noir
One of the most important Bach interpreters of our time dedicates himself to a work that is one of the most fascinating compositions of the entire pre-Classical era: In this lecture concert Sir András Schiff takes the audience on a journey to discover Bach’s Goldberg Variations in word and sound. Originally published as “Aria with various alterations”, the 30 variations have become an epitome of the Baroque period. Pianist Schiff “is a gifted teacher” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), guiding the audience on his excursion that takes him “from serenity to serenity, with highpoints and pauses for contemplation along the way.” (The Arts Desk) How Schiff commands the smallerscale architectures is just as impressive as his mastery of the whole 30-variation span … its cogency and integrityare peerless … A spellbinding account of the Goldberg Variations!” (The Guardian). Only Concert version available: appr. 60 mins A055506910000
The Staatskapelle Dresden reunites with its former Principal Conductor Herbert Blomstedt for a memorable performance at the Semperoper Dresden, thanking him for 50 years of highly productive collaboration. The grand seigneur amongst today’s conductors leads the orchestra in an impressive rendition of Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto, which features Sir András Schiff as acclaimed soloist “with an exquisite touch and finest nuances in his play” (Sächsische Zeitung). With the following performance of Anton Bruckner’s 4th Symphony, Herbert Blomstedt “leaves a monument” (Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten). PROGRAM Bruckner: Symphony No. 4; Beethoven: Piano Concert No. 1
On the occasion of the MPHIL 360° festival, Valery Gergiev brings together at the Philharmonie im Gasteig the Münchner Philharmoniker, the Mariinski Orchestra and five highly promising young violin talents: Vilde Frang, Sergej Dogadin, Alexander Conunova, Yu-Chien Tseng and Daniel Lozakovich. Together they perform all five of Mozart’s violin concertos. An impressive encounter of excellent musicians, who “show off in questions of virtuosity” (Süddeutsche Zeitung). Once again, “Musicmaniac” Gergiev’s motto is “‘Think Big!’ Success proves him right” (Münchner Merkur).
“HERE TIME BECOMES SPACE” : In January 2017 the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg finally opened its doors with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester under the baton of Principal Conductor Thomas Hengelbrock and several top-class soloists. The audience enjoyed an exceptional celebration with numerous guests from the worlds of culture and politics, plus 1,000 people who won tickets in an international raffle. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester performed an exciting programme that spans across all musical eras, from the Renaissance to the present. It culminated in a brand-new commissioned work, created especially for this occasion by the most important living German composer Wolfgang Rihm. In varying instrumentation and with outstanding soloists the possibilities of the Grand Hall and its acoustics are explored.
A stellar lineup of artists, headed by Daniel Barenboim, comes together for the opening concert of the Pierre Boulez Saal, the new architectural highlight of the Barenboim-Said
Akademie in Berlin – “a masterpiece of its kind” (The New Yorker). Anna Prohaska and Jörg Widmann join Daniel Barenboim, “who plays with the sureness of a sleepwalker”
(Süddeutsche Zeitung), for Schubert’s lyrical scene Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, while the latter also partners with the Boulez Ensemble’s strings in Mozart’s Piano Quartet. Karim Said
and Michael Barenboim take on Berg’s Chamber Concerto, and Widmann performs his own Fantasy for Solo Clarinet. The programme is bookended by Boulez’ fanfare-like Initiale
and sur Incises, for three pianos, three harps, and three percussionists. “Absolutely beautiful!” (FAZ)
On the occasion of Sergej Prokofiev’s 125th birthday, building on the success of the 2015 Prokofiev marathon, which featured all Piano Concertos of the Russian composer, Prokofiev specialist Valery Gergiev presented two concerts at the MPHIL 360° festival containing Prokofiev’s complete piano sonatas as well as selected sonatas by Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti. Four emerging, prizewinning piano talents from Russia and the USA were invited: Dmitry Masleev, George Li, Lukas Geniušas and Sergej Redkin. A “cunning and excentric” show, “brilliantly played” by the pianists (Süddeutsche Zeitung). PROGRAM: Vol. 1 (A 055 50614 0000, appr. 35′): Prokofiev Sonatas No. 1, No. 2 & No. 3 and Scarlatti Sonata K. 141 – Dmitry Masleev; Vol. 2 (Cat. no. A 055 50615 0000, appr. 50′): Prokofiev Sonatas No. 4 & No. 6 and Scarlatti Sonata K. 380 – George Li; Vol. 3 (A 055 50616 0000, appr. 45′): Prokofiev Sonatas No. 5 & No. 7 and Scarlatti Sonata K. 450 – Lukas Geniušas; Vol. 4 (A 055 50617 0000, appr. 60′): Prokofiev Sonatas No. 8 & No. 9 and Scarlatti Sonata K. 193 – Sergej Redkin
