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23. February 2026

Max Volbers at the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn and at the Moritzburg Festival (February 2026)

On March 1, Max Volbers and his duo partner Alexander von Heißen (harpsichord) will perform their joint program “Foreign Masters” in the “Young Stars” concert series at the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn. The duo will perform the same program two days later, on March 3, as part of the master concerts of the Moritzburg Festival at Albrechtsburg Castle in Dresden.

FOREIGN MASTERS

The program presents 18th-century London as an international music metropolis. It tells the story of ten composers who shaped the cultural scene and invites listeners to rediscover well-known and forgotten works from this period.

The program includes works by George Frideric Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, Giuseppe Sammartini, James Paisible, Johann Pepusch, Giuseppe Alberti, and others.

20. February 2026

Kent Nagano at the Opera de Paris (February 2026)

On February 24, Kent Nagano will conduct the premiere of “Nixon in China” at the Opera de Paris. Further performances are scheduled for March and April.

About:

In 1972, Richard Nixon visited Mao Zedong in China, marking the beginning of a rapprochement between the United States and China against the backdrop of the Cold War. Fifteen years later, American composer John Adams chose this episode as the subject of his first opera, a score marked by its rhythmic pulse, shimmering colours and intense lyricism. You can find further information here.

Cast:

Thomas Hampson, Richard Nixon
Renée Fleming, Pat Nixon
John Matthew Myers, Mao Zedong
Caroline Wettergreen, Chiang Ch’ing
Joshua Bloom, Henry Kissinger
…

16. February 2026

Omer Meir Wellber guest conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (February 2026)

In February, Omer Meir Wellber will guest conduct the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in the “ZEITSPIEL” version whereby the pianist and composer Stephen Hough “re-writes” Beethoven’s second movement. This ZEITSPIEL, Hamburg’s special seasonal motto of the Philharmonic Orchestra, can be heard here. In the second half of the program in Birmingham is Haydn’s Nelson Mass. Further Information can be found here.

5. February 2026

Kent Nagano conducts the Filarmonica Toscanini (February 2026)

A musical journey between life, death, and resurrection: Kent Nagano conducts the Filarmonica Toscanini as the principal artistic partner with Mahler’s monumental Second Symphony.

Kent Nagano Conductor
Jane Archibald Soprano
Christina Bock Mezzo-soprano
Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini
Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2

05/02/2026 20:30 | Auditorium Paganini, further information here.
07/02/2026 21:00 | Duomo di Modena, further information here.

11. January 2026

New CD: Midori presents Schumann Violin Concerto & other works (January 2026)

Violinist Midori, Festival Strings Lucerne under the direction of Daniel Dodds, and pianist Özgür Aydin present an album of Schumann: Violin Concerto & Works for Violin and Piano by Clara and Robert Schumann, highlighting two deeply connected artistic voices.

The recording is releases on PENTATONE and marks the PENTATONE debut of Midori and Özgür Aydin. Please find more information here.

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Violin Concerto in D Minor WoO. 23
1 I. In kräftigem, nicht zu schnellem Tempo
2 II. Langsam
3 III. Lebhaft, doch nicht schnell

Midori, violin
Festival Strings Lucerne Daniel Dodds, director

5 Pieces in Folk Style, Op. 102
4 I. Mit Humor
5 II. Langsam
6 III. Nicht schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen
7 IV. Nicht zu rasch
8 V. Stark und markiert

3 Romances, Op. 94
9 I. Nicht schnell
10 II. Einfach innig
11 III. Nicht schnell

Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
3 Romances, Op. 22
12 I. Andante molto
13 II. Allegretto: Mit zartem Vortrage
14 III. Leidenschaftlich schnell

Midori, violin
Özgür Aydin, piano

7. January 2026

Kent Nagano and Jan Vogler in Frankfurt (January 2026)

On 22 and 23 January, Kent Nagano will conduct the hr-Sinfonieorchester, with Jan Vogler as soloist performing Dutilleux’s cello concerto Tout un monde lointain. The program will conclude with Schubert’s Symphony in C major. Find the live broadcast here.

22, 23 January Frankfurt, Alte Oper
hr-Sinfonieorchester
Henri Dutilleux: Tout un monde lointain
Franz Schubert: Große C-Dur-Sinfonie

More information here.

Kent Nagano and Jan Vogler are also collaborating on Wagner’s Ring tetralogy in the historical context of the period in which it was written. The performances are based on the latest findings in Wagner research and historical performance practice. The project is part of the Dresden Music Festival’s multi-year project The Wagner Cycles (2023–2026) and is accompanied by an extensive supporting program. The world premiere of Das Rheingold took place in Dresden in 2023, followed by guest performances in Cologne, Ravello, Prague, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Lucerne. The project will continue until 2026 with performances of Götterdämmerung.

6. January 2026

Omer Meir Wellber and the Philharmonic State Orchestra Hamburg on DLF Kultur (January 2026)

Zeitspiel 4: Haydn meets the present – now available to listen to on Deutschlandfunk Kultur.

The concert by the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra conducted by General Music Director Omer Meir Wellber, recorded at the Elbphilharmonie on 21 December 2025, will be broadcast today at 8:00 p.m. CET on Deutschlandfunk Kultur. For the 4th Philharmonic Concert, Detlev Glanert drew inspiration from Joseph Haydn’s Farewell Symphony to write a new composition. Contemporary composers have written new movements for classical works for all ten Philharmonic Concerts of the season. The “ZeitSpiele” bring fresh ideas to the music and reveal surprising facets.

On the program:

Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 45 fis-Moll „Abschiedssinfonie“

Detlev Glanert: „Sinfonia“ for chamber orchestra

Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 49 f-Moll „La Passione“

Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 44 e-Moll „Trauersinfonie“

19. December 2025

Omer Meir Wellber’s first New Year’s Concert as General Music Director with the Hamburg State Orchestra (December 2025)

Omer Meir Wellber and the Hamburg State Orchestra invite to an extraordinary New Year’s program at the Elbphilharmonie on December 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Entitled New Year’s Concert 2025, the program includes operetta classics by Johann Strauss, a world premiere, and a humorous surprise work.

The concert also marks the festive conclusion of the Johann Strauss Year, which will reach its highlight and conclusion on December 31, 2025, on his 200th birthday. Together with the orchestra, Omer Meir Wellber is focusing on a musical program between tradition and contemporary musical language for his first season.

18. December 2025

Midori (December 2025)

Violinist Midori will perform in January 2026 with cellist Antoine Lederlin and pianist Jonathan Biss in a series of chamber music evenings. The program features works by Franz Schubert, including Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat Major, D. 898, Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat Major, D. 929, Notturno for Piano Trio in E-flat Major, D. 897, and Fantasy for Violin and Piano in C Major, D. 934.

For decades, Midori has been a defining figure in the classical music scene. In addition to her performances with international orchestras, she is committed to music education and cultural exchange.

17. December 2025

Kent Nagano (December 2025)

After concluding his time in Hamburg, Kent Nagano is now devoting himself to new and long-standing collaborators with these exciting projects.

On 14 December 2025, Nagano will conduct a concert with the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin at the Berlin Philharmonie, featuring works by Debussy (Ibéria) and Strauss (Don Quixote) as well as the world premiere of Rodolphe Bruneau-Boulmier’s Caída lenta for orchestra.
The new year begins with a concert in Frankfurt: on 22 and 23 January, Nagano will conduct the hr-Sinfonieorchester with Jan Vogler as soloist in Dutilleux’s cello concerto Tout un monde lointain and Schubert’s Symphony in C major.
In February, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini in Parma and Modena is on the programme.
A special highlight will be the premiere of John Adams’ opera Nixon in China on 24 February 2026 at the Opéra de Paris. Valentina Carrasco’s production features a renowned ensemble, including Thomas Hampson and Renée Fleming.

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