Performances of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony are not so common, especially on the anniversary of Mahler’s death. Led by their Chief Conductor Designate Klaus Mäkelä, Mahler’s ‘Symphony of a Thousand’ was the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s final contribution to the Concertgebouw’s Mahler Festival 2025. With four choirs—the Dutch National Radio Choir, the Laurens Symfonisch, Le Chœur de l’Orchestre de Paris, and the Dutch National Children’s Choir— this huge choral ensemble demonstrated immense energy and power. Seven international soloists, sopranos Golda Schultz and Miriam Kutrowatz, altos Jennifer Johnston and Okka von der Damerau, tenor Giorgio Berrugi, bariton Michael Nagy, and bass Tareq Nazmi, were all formidable. “A monumental Eighth from Klaus Mäkelä and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra” (Bachtrack)
Andris Nelsons and Lucas & Arthur Jussen
In this concert from the state-of-the-art Konzerthaus Dortmund, Lucas and Arthur Jussen join the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and Gewandhauskapellmeister Andris Nelsons for a rare performance of the brilliant concerto for two pianos and orchestra by the 14-year-old Felix Mendelssohn, himself Gewandhauskapellmeister from 1835 to 1847. To complete the programme, orchestra and conductor present first another rarity – the beautiful “Blumine” movement composed for the original version of Mahler’s
Symphony No. 1 – alongside Dvorák’s life-enhancing Symphony No. 8, a work in which the composer’s symphonic skill and melodic gifts mix to irresistible effect. PROGRAM Mahler: Blumine; Mendelssohn: Concerto for two Pianos; Dvorák: Symphony No. 8
HAUSER – Gala Concert Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Step into an extraordinary evening of music and artistry with HAUSER, the global cello phenomenon whose passionate performances have captivated millions around the world. Renowned for his unique ability to merge classical elegance with contemporary flair, HAUSER invites you on an unforgettable musical journey that transcends boundaries and speaks directly to the heart. With every note, his masterful cello playing unveils new realms of emotion, beauty, and intensity, creating an experience unlike any other. Sharing the stage with HAUSER are an array of world-class guest artists. Violin virtuoso Caroline Campbell will dazzle with her precision and fiery interpretations, while celebrated vocalists Aida Garifullina and Lara Fabian bring soaring vocals that blend seamlessly with the orchestral grandeur. Enhancing the evening is the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Robert Ziegler, whose artistry ensures a rich and powerful musical landscape, recorded at Royal Albert Hall.
André Rieu – Live in Bahrain
André Rieu – Roses from the South
In June 2010, André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra performed a captivating open-air concert on the picturesque island of Mainau, nestled in Lake Constance. Set against the backdrop of the baroque castle owned by the Bernadotte family, the event, titled Roses from the South, showcased a delightful blend of classical waltzes, operetta favorites, and timeless melodies. The concert was recorded for a television special and reached an estimated 80 million viewers worldwide.
RCO: Kerstmatinee 2025
The Christmas Matinee turns fifty this year! Klaus Mäkelä conducts an enjoyable concert full of twilight tints, nocturnal whispers and tales from distant lands. Experience the fabulous stories from the One Thousand and One Nights in Rimsky-Korsakov’s sultry Sheherazade , the solo violin running through the work like a golden thread. Less well-known but just as compelling is the symphonic poem Lydische nacht by Alphons Diepenbrock, who is considered the most important Dutch composer of the late-Romantic period. Who wouldn’t feel for a shepherd all alone in the darkness with his turbulent inner world and the cool, impassive moon…
RCO: Järvi conducts Khachaturian & Stravinsky
The Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi is in his element with repertoire from Northern and Eastern Europe, and this programme features three such works. Vesper (Poem) by his compatriot Ester Mägi, ‘the first lady of Estonian music’, is a poetic work for strings inspired by St John’s Church in Tallinn. The Khachaturian Piano Concerto is proof that colourful, vibrant music was indeed written in the Soviet era. The work is imbued with the influence of Armenian folk music. And to add to the exotic atmosphere, the piano is accompanied by a musical saw in the middle movement! The work is grist to Jean-Yves Thibaudet’s mill, a pianist who for decades has excelled in original repertoire. Finally, there’s Petrushka, Stravinsky’s exuberant ballet music about a marionette who comes to life, falls in love and wreaks havoc on a Russian carnival. Listeners need no sets or dancers to see the story unfold before them, and the colourful music lets all the members of the orchestra shine. PROGRAM Mägi: Vesper; Khatchatourian: Piano Concerto; Stravinsky: Petrushka
The Henri Mancini Gala at Hollywood Bowl
With a spectacular 100th birthday celebration, musical legends and longtime friends—including the legendary John Williams, Arturo Sandoval, Herbie Hancock, Wicked film star Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder, Lizzo, James Galway, Dave Koz, and Grammy Award winner Michael Bublé—honour the legacy of composer, conductor, arranger, pianist, and flautist Henry Mancini. This tribute, set at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, features unforgettable performances, film excerpts enriched by his music, and behind-the-scenes footage from the recording of the 100th-anniversary album with renowned musicians, the LA Philharmonic, and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Interviews with stars from Mancini-scored films add a personal touch, while heartfelt tributes come from his daughter, singer Monica Mancini, and Quincy Jones, in what marks his final televised appearance. A 20-time Grammy Award winner and four-time Academy Award recipient, Mancini shaped the sound of Hollywood with iconic scores for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Pink Panther, Days of Wine and Roses, Victor/Victoria, Charade, and Two for the Road. He conducted at the Hollywood Bowl 29 times, leaving an indelible mark on its stage. Now,
the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Thomas Wilkins, returns to this cherished venue for a moving concert celebrating his extraordinary legacy.
Sibelius – Complete Symphonies
It couldn’t be more authentic: the Philharmonic Orchestra Helsinki performs all seven symphonies by Jean Sibelius live in the spectacular concert hall of the Finnish capital’s modern Music Centre — the place where almost all of them had their premieres. Over a period of approximately 25 years, Jean Sibelius composed his seven symphonies. All of them, except for the seventh, were premiered in Helsinki under the composer’s own direction. Now, more than 100 years later, a symphony cycle by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its chief conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, offers a unique and moving experience. The Symphonies were recorded between 2023 and 2025.
André Rieu – Love is all around
Experience the magic of André Rieu’s spectacular open-air concert on Maastricht’s iconic Vrijthof square! Together with his beautiful Johann Strauss Orchestra and numerous international soloists and special guest Emma Kok, André Rieu celebrated a cheerful and emotional party, which ended night after night with a grand firework display. With his world-famous Johann Strauss Orchestra, dazzling soloists, and special guest Emma Kok, André Rieu brings you an unforgettable evening of classical favorites, pop hits, well-known melodies, waltzes, and film scores – all wrapped in joy, romance, and celebration.