Paul Wittgenstein, Austrian concert pianist, loses his arm at the age of twentyseven, while serving as an officer in the First World War. Nonetheless, he is set on continuing his career. Major composers, such as Ravel and Strauss write concerts for him, from which he gains international acclaim. Forced to leave Austria by the Nazis, he dies in New York in 1961. Paul’s father, Karl Wittgenstein millionaire and chief Austrian “iron and steel baron”, determined to have his five sons follow in his footsteps and become industrialists, he does not permit them to pursue artistic careers. Ultimately, he will pay for his intransigence with the lives of his three eldest children who escape their father’s authority by committing suicide. Finally, Karl Wittgenstein allows his two remaining sons the freedom to choose their own profession. Ludwig, the younger brother of Paul, turns to philosophy. Paul Wittgenstein’s biography is an extraordinary life-affirming story. It is the tale of a man who perseveres in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and prevails.
Music, Mon Amour
‘Music, Mon Amour’ delves into the secret of a grand passion – the love of music. What makes it irresistible? Why can’t we live without music? In ‘Music, Mon Amour’ we embark on a search for clues – together with the Israeli singer Yasmin Levy, the Japanese violinist Midori and the German composer Helmut Oehring. They reveal their deep love of music and talk of the joy and despair that go with it. Their accounts, intimate and affecting, and from widely differing perspectives, convey their existential and contradictory relationship to music. Aired successfully on arte.
Dudamel & LA Phil: Inaugural Concert
Gustavo Dudamel, just twenty-seven years old, designated music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, is acknowledged to be one of the most
important conductors of his generation. At October 2009 he will conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the Disney Concert Hall. On the programme: Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No 1 in D major (“Titan”) and the world premier of the latest work by Pulitzer Prize for Music winner John Adams, “City Noir”. The Los Angeles Philharmonic is widely regarded as the most contemporary minded, forward thinking, talked about and innovative, venturesome and admired orchestra in America. Dudamel made his U.S. conducting debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl on September 13, 2005. In April 2007, during a guest conducting engagement with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Dudamel was named the LAP’s next music director as of the 2009-2010 season, succeeding Esa-Pekka Salonen.
TRIO – “Da, Da, Da”
Trio celebrated their biggest commercial success in the early 80s during the ‘Neue Deutsche Welle’ (New German Wave). Their signature sound was the programmed Rockbeat from the semi professional Casio-synthesizer, played by Stephan Remmler. Their biggest hit, ‘Da da da’, released in April 1982, was an international success, topping the charts all over Europe, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Asia. There are more than a hundred cover versions of this song and the song is still frequently used in commercials. The minimalistic concept can be heard at its best on the first album (‘Trio’, 1981). It is considered to be one oft he three most important albums in German pop history. All in all Trio released three studio-albums from 1981 to 1985. They were produced by world-famous musician and Beatles-Collaborator Klaus Voormann who supported their style which reminded him of his work with John Lennon in The Plastic Ono Band. Trio became some kind of cult – and they still are today.
RCO: Beethoven 7
On occation of his 80th birthday, legendary conductor Bernard Haitink leads ‘his’ Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in this great production of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.
Mahler: Songs from ‘Des Kaben Wunderhorn / Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 (Kerstmatinee 2009)
Bernard Haitink and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra performing Gustav Mahler’s stunning Songs from ‘Des Kaben Wunderhorn and Beethoven’s Pastorale. Joining them is the young Dutch mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn.
Janácek: Lasské´Tance
Daniel Harding, one of the most sought-after young conductors of our time, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra performing Janácek’s Lachian Dances, which originally were titled Wallachian Dances, after the Moravian Wallachia region. The composition reflects folk songs from that specific area of Janácek’s home country.
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 ‘Haffner’ / Debussy: La mer
Multi-awarded conductor Bernard Haitink leads the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. On the programme: Mozart’s ‘Prague’ Symphony and Debussy’s impressionistic masterpiece ‘La mer’.
RCO: Mahler No. 2
After the two famous Mahler festivals in 1920 and 1995, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam is now presenting a special two season Mahler series, which includes ten large-scale symphonies plus ‘Das Lied von der Erde’, performed in chronological order by the world’s greatest orchestra under the direction of great conductors – all brought to life in the wonderful acoustics of the Main Hall of the Concertgebouw.
RCO: Mahler No. 1
After the two famous Mahler festivals in 1920 and 1995, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam is now presenting a special twoseason Mahler series, which includes ten large-scale symphonies plus ‘Das Lied von der Erde’, performed in chronological order by the world’s greatest orchestra under the direction of great conductors – all brought to life in the wonderful acoustics of the Main Hall of the Concertgebouw.