In 2020, Ludwig van Beethoven is the focus of the Staatskapelle Berlin’s suberb open-air concert. With star violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter playing Beethoven’s Violin Romances Nos. 1 & 2, the composer anticipated the romantic genre of the „song without words“. In capturing the expressive „singing on the instrument“, the virtuoso talent and remarkable art of Anne-Sophie Mutter are once again demonstrated. Daniel Barenboim has devoted his life to Beethoven‘s work and mentality. The musical director, pianist and cultural activist conducts the Staatskapelle Berlin and the State Opera Chorus in this concert. Giving justice to the 9th Symphony with its insistent appeal to humanity and its forward-looking utopian character, are the high calibre artists: Julia Kleiter, Waltraud Meier, Andreas Schager and René Pape.
Jonas Kaufmann – It’s Christmas
Jonas Kaufmann echoes his own Christmas memories and joys, celebrating the most festive time of the year with a unique selection of beloved songs and carols. The concert is shot at the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf near Salzburg, the original place where the Christmas carol Silent Night, by Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber, was performed for the first time on December 24th 1818. In addition, festive location shots at the Christmas market in Salzburg. Including a rich selection of beloved worldwide favorites such as Adeste fidelis / O come and Silent Night, American holiday favorites like Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Winter Wonderland and White Christmas and traditional German Christmas songs as Ihr Kinderlein kommet and Kling, Glöckchen.
ACROSS THE STARS – Anne-Sophie Mutter plays John Williams
With ACROSS THE STARS Anne–Sophie Mutter presents some of the most outstanding works of composer and multiple Oscar Award-winner John Williams in the dream-like scenery of Munich Königsplatz. It’s the first-ever open-air concert of Mutter’s unprecedented career. Anne-Sophie Mutter and John Williams have been close friends for many years, which imbues this project with a truly special meaning: “Most of the works I perform with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Munich have been especially arranged for me – the pieces are absolutely new in this form and are performed at this concert for the very first time!” Mutter explains. The program includes pieces from Star Wars, Schindler’s List, Harry Potter, Dracula, E.T., The Witches of Eastwick, The Adventures of Tintin and Indiana Jones.
Musicverse – orbit
The Zeiss Planetarium in Berlin is the host for Musicverse, a series of concerts enhanced by AI-generated visual elements. Orbit, the band of Marcel Heym, uses morphing to create half-artificial, half-realistic worlds populated by mushrooms and goldfish.
Musicverse – Ásgeir
The Zeiss Planetarium in Berlin is the host for Musicverse, a series of concerts enhanced by AI-generated visual elements. Ásgeir, an Icelandic musician with a penchant for dream pop, rains down nebulous particles in waves reminiscent of the northern lights.
Musicverse – Mogli
Filmed at the Zeiss planetarium in Berlin, Musicverse features concerts accompanied by AI-generated projections in real time. Mogli, a versatile artist from Berlin, plunges the audience into a surprising psychedelic world.
Anna Lapwood at the Elbphilharmonie
Film music arranged for the Elbphilharmonie Organ. Her enthusiasm is contagious: Anna Lapwood is the new face of an ancient instrument. “I love to surprise people!” exclaims Anna Lapwood. Audiences adore her unconventional approach to playing the organ. Millions of followers watch the 30-year-old British musician on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, captivated by her impressive concert arrangements. She repeatedly challenges the classical canon and devotes herself to popular and film music with the same dedication as Bach, Vierne, Poulenc, and contemporary composers. Can she play “Pirates of the Caribbean« on the organ? “Of course,” says the British social media star. At Elbphilharmonie Hamburg she plays a varied program of film music and organ classics, featuring Lapwood‘s own arrangements, cheerful introductions and audience engagement, dramatic organ sounds, and enchanting lighting design.
Virtuoso & Viral
Three young, highly virtuoso musicians are revolutionizing the classical music world with musical freedom, authenticity, and digital communities. Hayato Sumino on the piano, Anna Lapwood on the organ, and Marcin on the guitar successfully win over new audiences for old masters, hereby securing the future of classical music.
The Nutcracker – A ballet by John Neumeier
Ballet master Drosselmeier takes Marie to the court theater, where she dances in new pointe shoes with cadet Günther—who gives her a mysterious nutcracker. John Neumeier’s touching choreography tells the story of saying goodbye to childhood. John Neumeier’s choreography tells the story of saying goodbye to childhood and growing up. In the course of the piece, the childlike Marie not only discovers the world of theater for herself, but also falls in love for the first time and matures into a young woman. John Neumeier’s unique version of this classic is a coming-of-age story and at the same time a tribute to the legendary ballet master and choreographer Marius Petipa, who brought classical ballet to perfection in the 19th century. The Hamburg Ballet dazzles with virtuoso elegance and opulent imagery – a Christmas fairy tale that gets under your skin.
Premieres Revisited – Haydn’s Daytime Symphonies at Schloss Esterházy
Il Giardino Armonico, conducted by Giovanni Antonini, performs the three Daytime Symphonies two and a half centuries after their premiere at their original concert venue, the magnificent Haydn Hall at Esterházy Palace. Premieres Revisited provides insight into the three works and combines their background with interviews and a passionate and virtuoso performance to convey an impression of the premiere at that time.