The exceptional organist Cameron Carpenter has been a guest in many major venues worldwide. However, he has a particularly close friendship with the Konzerthaus Berlin, not least because in the 2017/18 season he was Artist in Residence with the Berliner Konzerthausorchester am Gendarmenmarkt, where he also performed with his specially built organ. This instrument was the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream. The International Touring Organ (ITO), which was made according to his plans, enables him to perform at almost any place in the world – a matter of course for most instrumentalists, but a revolution for Cameron Carpenter as an organist. Carpenter played with this huge instrument in a corona-empty concert hall. Works by J.S. Bach, François Couperin, G.F. Händel, Krzysztof Penderecki and Cameron Carpenter.
450 Years Staatskapelle Berlin
On the occasion of its 450th birthday, the Staatskapelle Berlin under the baton of its chief conductor Daniel Barenboim embarks on a journey through music history. With Wagner and Beethoven, two composers are represented who have shaped the Staatskapelle’s repertoire decisively, in both opera and symphonic works. The programme is complemented by advanced music from the 20th and 21st centuries by Boulez and Widmann, the latter having dedicated a newly composed work to the Staatskapelle. PROGRAM Boulez: Initiale for seven brass instruments; Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg; Widmann:Zeitensprünge – 450 Takte für Orchester (World premiere of the commissioned work); Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Münchner Philharmoniker – Alain Altinoglu & Renaud Capuçon
PROGRAM Zimmermann: Giostra Genovese; Ravel: Violin Sonata, Tzigane, Le Tombeau de Couperin
Beethoven – The Piano Trios
On the occasion of Beethoven’s 250th birthday Daniel Barenboim, Michael Barenboim and Kian Soltani present his trios for piano, violin and cello on a total of two concert evenings in the intimate Boulez Hall – including the curious and rarely played variations on the song “Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu“. A celebrated concert pianist, Beethoven had various motives as a composer: his piano trios were to show his virtuosity as well as to experiment with musical forms and techniques that would bear fruit in other genres. All of this is illuminated in these special concert evenings by the three outstanding musicians, whose interplay provoked rave reviews: “Kian Soltani’s silky cello tone rises from zero to the highest longing in just a few bars. The unison unanimity with Michael Barenboim is just as beguiling. […] While violin and cello drift into timelessness over softly thundering, tremoloing piano bass, one literally gets into a trance” (Der Tagesspiegel). Daniel Barenboim’s “incontrovertible identification with the music ‘itself’” is as captivating as their whole interplay: “as vigorous as it was euphonious, as impetuous as it was sublime” (Seen and Heard International).
Mozart y Mambo. A Cuban Journey with Sarah Willis
Mozart & Mambo: These musically irresistible encounters have been a long-cherished dream of Sarah Willis, hornist at the Berliner Philharmoniker, which came true with a grand concert in which she performs with the young musicians of the Havana Lyceum Orchestra and conductor José Antonio Méndez Padrón, as well as a Cuban salsa mambo band. A joint celebration of Mozart as never before seen and heard, including works such as Mozart’s beautiful Horn Concerto No. 3 and lots of Cuban rhythms! The documentary focuses on the musical challenge: European precision meets Cuban momentum. On the one hand, the rehearsal work is characterized by hard work, but also incredible fun with the music and the interaction of these two musical worlds on the other hand.
Mozart y Mambo
Mozart & Mambo: These musically irresistible encounters have been a long-cherished dream of Sarah Willis, hornist at the Berliner Philharmoniker, which came true with a grand concert in which she performs with the young musicians of the Havana Lyceum Orchestra and conductor José Antonio Méndez Padrón, as well as a Cuban salsa mambo band. A joint celebration of Mozart as never before seen and heard, including works such as Mozart’s beautiful Horn Concerto No. 3 and lots of Cuban rhythms! Also available the Documentary “Mozart y Mambo. A Cuban Journey with Sarah Willis” (A05551355)
Daniel Barenboim plays Beethoven Piano Sonatas
Daniel Barenboim is one of the most accomplished Beethoven experts of our time. From the very beginning of his career, he has been intensively and repeatedly engaged with the composer’s manifold works. Barenboim marked the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth by recording his thirty-two piano sonatas at Berlin’s Pierre Boulez Saal. The exceptional musician has been exploring Beethoven’s music for more than seven decades and his fifth complete survey of the sonatas arose from a period of deep immersion in Beethoven’s scores due to the cancellation of public concerts because of the coronavirus pandemic. With this sonata cycle, the great Daniel Barenboim has set himself a legacy!
Daniel Barenboim plays Beethoven Piano Sonatas Op. 2/2
Friedemann Vogel – Incarnation of the Dance
Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, Tokyo’s National Theatre and many more – Friedemann Vogel, winner of numerous significant dance awards, has conquered the most important ballet stages in the world. A German dancer at the top of the ballet world – this is an absolute rarity. The portrait film accompanies the luminary of the German ballet scene in his everyday life and work; further, it features interviews with Vogel’s dance partners and role models at the Stuttgart Ballet, such as Marcia Haydee, and excerpts from his most recent performances.
It’s me. Hilary
Hilary Hahn is doubtlessly one of the most successful violinists of our time. Numerous award-winning CD recordings and concerts with the most important conductors and orchestras worldwide make her an artist who seems to have achieved everything at a young age. The audience flocks to their sold-out concerts, which are appreciated and respected by fellow musicians. Whether the deceased Sir Colin Davis, her musical friend and partner Paavo Järvi, Kent Nagano or Gustavo Dudamel – they were and are full of praise and admiration: Hilary Hahn’s virtuosity is unique, her perfectionism legendary. And yet, again and again and with full dedication, she crosses the boundaries of classical music in order to find new impulses and challenges for herself and her music.