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.
Sensitive Strings – Daniel Lozakovich and his Stradivarius
Young violinist Daniel Lozakovich performs on the world’s greatest stages. Since 2022, he has been playing an exceptional Stradivarius: the Sancy, which was the companion of the legendary Ivry Gitlis for more than sixty years.
The documentary follows the passing of the Sancy from Ivry Gitlis to the Swedish prodigy, highlighting the musical and emotional legacy that each virtuoso leaves on his instrument. It explores the intimate relationship between a musician and his instrument, considered an artistic alter ego of inestimable value.
What does an instrument pass on from one virtuoso to another? How much of Ivry Gitlis’ soul still vibrates under Daniel Lozakovich’s bow? Is there a secret formula for reproducing its magic today? Why can a Stradivarius fetch several million euros and fascinate musicians and collectors to such an extent?
Through a journey that takes us from France to Kyrgyzstan, via Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, the portrait of a major artist of our time emerges.
RCO: Hrusa conducts Schumann, Dvorák and Suk
Yunchan Lim was the youngest ever winner of the legendary Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022. Now, at the age of twenty-one, he is making his Concertgebouw Orchestra debut in Robert Schumann’s one and only Piano Concerto. The dreamy slow movement of this Romantic work is among the most beautiful Schumann ever composed. After the interval, the conductor Jakub Hruša guides us through his native Czech Republic with symphonic poems by two renowned fellow countrymen. In The Wild Dove, Dvorak tells a story full of passion, murder and all-consuming guilt in a village community. When Dvorak died in the spring of 1904, his pupil and son-in-law Josef Suk happened to be working on Prague, a symphonic ode to the city of Prague. The epic work would also become a homage to his mentor. PROGRAM Schumann: Piano Concerto; Dvorak: The Wild Dove; Suk: Prague
Hans Werner Henze – composer, communist, dandy
Hans Werner Henze was Germany’s most political composer, at the same time, he was the epitome of a dandy and bon vivant. On the occasion of his 100th birthday in July 2026, the film is a tribute to the courageous artist and humanist, showing his colourful life in all its complexity and with all its contradictions.