Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra with a new concert format, Kent Nagano with an opera premiere, Midori on Bach Solo Tour through Germany and much more (May 2023)

Premieres, new productions, awards and special concert programs – below you will find an overview of what our artists will be featuring on international concert stages in the coming months.

After David Philip Hefti was officially honored with the Composer Award 2023 of the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) in Wroclaw on 21 April, the ballet production “Der Tod und das Mädchen” (Death and the Maiden) with a comissioned work by Hefti will follow at Graz Opera in May. In two parts, the ballet evening musically and choreographically combines Hefti’s work “Ans Ende der Zeit” with Franz Schubert’s famous string quartet “Der Tod und das Mädchen”; the premiere will take place on 24 May. This year’s Zermatt Music Festival will feature a commissioned composition for the Scharoun Ensemble Berlin by Hefti as Composer in Residence.

At the Hamburg State Opera, Kent Nagano conducts the production of Salvatore Sciarrino’s Venere e Adone in May in a production by Georges Delnon, a work commissioned by the State Opera. Another highlight from the Hanseatic city will be Nagano’s conferral of the title of Honorary Conductor on 5 June. The concert will feature Jörg Widmann’s oratorio ARCHE, which was premiered in 2017 as part of the opening festival of the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie. With the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, he will perform Mahler’s 6th Symphony at the Berlin Philharmonie in June.

For Jan Vogler, May and June 2023 are all about his two worlds; as a soloist, he will perform with Omer Meir Wellber and the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, as well as next Friday, 5 May, with the Philharmonic State Orchestra under the baton of Kent Nagano, a new work by the US composer Sean Shepherd, and as Intendant of the Dresden Music Festival, the festival will be running from 18 May to 18 June.

At this year’s Dresden Music Festival, a special project under the artistic direction of Kent Nagano and Jan Vogler will begin in it’s new constellation: together with the Dresden Festival Orchestra and Concerto Köln, Richard Wagner’s “Ring Tetralogy” will be comprehensively developed in historical performance practice and embedded in a Wagner program and the establishment of a Wagner Academy in Dresden. The prelude will be the performance of “Das Rheingold” on 14 June 2023.

Having celebrated a great success as Artist in Residence of the Volksoper Wien at Omer Meir Wellber’s inaugural concert with the Volksoper Orchestra at the Vienna Konzerthaus in September, Midori now returns to Vienna for a concert on 6 May with conductor Roderick Cox. She will perform Korngold’s Violin Concerto, composed in 1945. In May, Midori also plays a solo program of contemporary works and Violin Sonatas and Partitas by Bach in Bonn (25 May), Ludwigsburg (28 May) and Dresden (29 May) and goes on a tour through Japan with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin and Christoph Eschenbach. In Tokyo, Yokohama, Fukuoka and Nagoya, Midori will perform Robert Schumann’s Violin Concerto and accompany her longtime musical companion Christoph Eschenbach on his farewell tour as Principal Conductor of the orchestra.

 

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has launched a special new concert series, Disrupt, in which the orchestra combines classical works by renowned composers with interactive offerings, visual projections and exclusive behind-the-scenes looks, among other things. A new CD with Music Director Manfred Honeck will also be released in summer 2023 – more soon!

On 18 June, Mari Kodama will be the soloist in John Neumeier’s ballet Beethoven Project II, created on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth, at the Hamburg State Opera. The pianist is known for her interpretation of Beethoven’s works and has already released several CD recordings of his works, including all the Piano Sonatas (Pentatone, 2014) as well as a Beethoven Box featuring Beethoven’s Ninth Piano Concerto WoO 4, the Rondo for Piano and Orchestra WoO 6, the “Eroica” Variations for solo piano op. 35, the Triple Concerto and all of Beethoven’s piano concertos with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and Kent Nagano (Berlin Classics, 2019).

Recorder player Max Volbers will perform a program titled The Handel Connection together with harpsichordist Alexander von Heißen (winner of the International Bach Competition Leipzig 2022) on 5 May at the ClinkerLounge in Berlin, including works by Handel, Babell, Dieupart and Paisible. Last year, after winning the Deutscher Musikwettbewerb 2021, his debut CD “Whispers of Tradition” was released by GENUIN. Since then, Max Volbers has been playing in various constellations and will be performing in the coming week with the ensemble Il Giratempo at the International Handel Festival in Göttingen and the Handel Festival in Halle, among others.

Omer Meir Wellber will conduct three concerts with the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini in June 2023, presenting a program with cellist Jan Vogler and pianist Mikhail Pletnev at the Toscanini Festival, of which he is Artistic Director, on 5 June and then traveling to the Dresden Music Festival for two concerts (with Jan Vogler on 8 June and with Mikhail Pletnev on 9 June). At the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Wellber conducts performances of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin in mid-May and will be at the Bregenzer Festspiele for one of the orchestral concerts with the Wiener Symphoniker in July, the program includes the world premiere of the concerto for continuo and large orchestra In Motion by Ayal Adler. Wellber will conduct a special program at Munich’s Isarphilharmonie on 14 and 15 June; together with the Munich Philharmonic, he will present, among other works, the world premiere of Manfred Trojahn’s new work for percussion and orchestra, “En plein jour – Minotauromachie.”

4 May – Parma, Toscanini Saal
Omer Meir Wellber
Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini
Webern: Ricercata, 6 Stimmige Fuge (bearbeitet für Orchester, Originalwerk BWV 1079, Johann Sebastian Bach)
Sadikova: Ciaccona
Tchaikowski: Symphonie Nr. 6 in h-moll, Op. 74 “Pathétique”

5 May – Schwerin, Goldener Saal
David Philip Hefti
Hefti: Harmonia – für Saxophon-Quartett

5 May – Dresden, Kulturpalast
Kent Nagano, Jan Vogler  Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Alsterspatzen – Kinder – und Jugendchor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper
Brahms: Schicksalslied für Chor und Orchester op. 54 Beethoven: Symphonie Nr. 8 in F-Dur, Op. 93
Shepherd: On a Clear Day
Jan Vogler – Cello

5 May – Berlin, Clinker Lounge
Max Volbers
„The Handel Connection“
Max Volbers, Blockflöte
Alexander von Heißen, Cembalo

6 May – Wien, Volksoper
Midori
Symphonieorchester der Volksoper Wien, Roderick Cox
Korngold: Violinkonzert

7, 10, 14, 21 May – Hamburg, Staatsoper
Kent Nagano
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg            
Wagner: Tannhäuser
Kornél Mundruczó – Inszenierung

13 May – Gent, MYRI Concertzaal
David Philip Hefti
Hefti: Harmonia – für Saxophon-Quartett

19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25 May – Palermo, Teatro Massimo
Omer Meir Wellber
Tschaikowski: Eugen Onegin

21 May – Göttingen, Sheddachhalle
Internationale Händel Festspiele Göttingen
Max Volbers
„Agrippina: A Baroque-Jazz Tourguide“
Il Giratempo
Laila Salome Fischer, Mezzosopran
Pascal Klewer, Trompete
Max Volbers, Blockflöte & Cembalo
Alfia Bakieva, Violine

25, 31 May – Graz, Oper
David Philip Hefti
Der Tod und das Mädchen, mit Musik von David Philip Hefti und Franz Schubert und als Ballett von Beate Vollack und Sascha Pieper Premiere
Weitere Aufführungen: 15., 17. Juni

25 May – Bonn, Beethoven Haus
Midori
Bach: Sonata No. 2 for Solo Violin in A minor, BWV 1003
Thierry Escaich: Nun Komm
Bach: Sonata No. 3 for Solo Violin in C major, BWV 1005
Zorn: Passages
Bach: Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004

28 May – Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburger Schloßfestspiele
Midori
siehe 25. Mai

28, 31 May – Hamburg, Staatsoper
Kent Nagano
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Sciarrino: Venere e Adone, Premiere
Georges Delnon – Inszenierung
Weitere Aufführungen: 3., 6., 8. Juni

29 May – Halle, St. Georgen-Kirche
Händel Festspiele Halle
Max Volbers
siehe 21. Mai

29 May – Dresden, Dresdner Musikfestspiele
Midori
siehe 25. Mai

29 May – Hamburg, Staatsoper
Kent Nagano
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Offenbach: Les contes d´Hoffmann
Daniele Finzi Pasca – Inszenierung
Weitere Aufführungen: 4., 6., 10. Juni

4, 5 June – Hamburg, Elbphilharmonie
Kent Nagano
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper
Alsterspatzen – Kinder – und Jugendchor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper
Audi Jugendchorakademie
Widmann: ARCHE – Ein Oratorium für Soli, Chöre, Orgel und Orchester
Sarah Wegener – Sopran
Thomas E. Bauer – Bariton
Iveta Apkalna – Orgel
Knabensopran: Solist des Knabenchores Chorakademie Dortmund

5 June – Parma, Toscanini Festival
Omer Meir Wellber
Verdi: Macbeth Overture
Wagner: Lohengrin Overture
Schostakowitsch Cellokonzert Nr. 1
Respighi: Metamorphosen
Tschaikowski: Klavierkonzert Nr. 1
Wagner: Tannhäuser Overture
Respighi: Metamorphosen
Jan Vogler – Cello
Mikail Pletnev – Klavier

8 June – Dresden, Kulturpalast
Dresdner Musikfestspiele
Omer Meir Wellber, Jan Vogler
Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini
Verdi: Macbeth Overture
Schostakowitsch: Cellokonzert Nr. 1
Wagner: Lohengrin Overture
Tschaikowski: Symphonie Nr. 6
Jan Vogler – Cello

9 June – Dresden, Kulturpalast
Dresdner Musikfestspiele
Omer Meir Wellber
Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini
Verdi: Vespri Siciliani
Tschaikowski: Klavierkonzert Nr. 1
Wagner: Tannhäuser Overture
Respighi: Metamorphosen
Mikail Pletnev – Klavier

14 June  – Dresden, Kulturpalast
Dresder Musikfestspiele
Kent Nagano
Dresdner Festspielorchester und Concerto Köln
Wagner: Das Rheingold (konzertante Aufführung)
SolistInnen

14, 15 June – München, Isarphilharmonie
Omer Meir Wellber
Münchner Philharmoniker
Schumann: Ouvertüre zu Manfred Op. 115
Manfred Trojahn: Schlagzeugkonzert UA
Tschaikowski: Manfred-Sinfonie Op. 58
Simone Rubino – Schlagzeug

18 June – Hamburg, Staatsoper
Mari Kodama
Ballet by John Neumeier  
Beethoven-Project II

18 June – Buchberg, Kirche
David Philip Hefti
Schumann/arr. Hefti: «Widmung» aus dem Liederzyklus Myrthen, arr. für Singstimme und Klavierquintett

19 June – Bozen, Domplatz Bozen
20 June – Trient, Duomo Trient
Kent Nagano
Haydn Orchester
Luigi Dallapiccola: Piccola Musica Notturna
Haydn: The Seven Last Words of Christ XX/1A

23, 24 June – Berlin, Philharmonie
Kent Nagano
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester
Mahler: Symphonie Nr. 6 a-Moll

24, 29  June – Wien, Volksoper
Omer Meir Wellber
Vivaldi Piazzolla: Die acht Jahreszeiten
Mandoline – Jacob Reuven

25 June – Paris, La Seine Musicale
Jan Vogler
Dresdner Festspielorchester
Joseph Haydn: Overture to the Oratorio »Il ritorno di Tobia«
Joseph Haydn: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra Nro 1 in C major Hob. VIIb:1
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major K. 551 »Jupiter«
Jan Vogler – Cello

30 June – Laufen, St. Katharinenkirche
David Philip Hefti
Hefti: Vier Momente – für Flöte und Streichorchester
Hefti: neues Werk für Streichorchester
Uraufführungen

30 June Ingolstadt, Klenzepark
Audi Sommerkonzerte
Kent Nagano
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester
Rossini: Overture from Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
Mozart: Concerto for Piano No. 24 in C minor, K491
Ottorino Respighi: La Boutique Fantasque
Ravel: Bolero
Klavier – Lucas und Arthur Jussen

1 July – Bad Kissingen, Max-Littmann-Saal
Kissinger Sommer, Übertragung auf BR Klassik
Kent Nagano
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester
Rossini: Overture from Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
Mozart: Concerto for Piano No. 24 in C minor, K491
Ottorino Respighi: La Boutique Fantasque
Ravel: Bolero
Klavier – Rafal Blechacz

2 July – Bad Kissingen, Max Littmann-Saal
Kissinger Sommer, Stream auf kissingersommer.de
Kent Nagano
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester
Luciano Berio: Contrapunctus XIX (Die Kunst der Fugue) di J.S. Bach
Schumann: Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
Tschaikowski: Concerto for Piano No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23
Kantorei der Herz-Jesu Bad Kissingen

2 July – Vail, Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Bravo! Vail Festival
Jan Vogler
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Angélica Negrón: Arquitecta
Haydn: Cellokonzert C-Dur
César Franck: Sinfonie d-moll
Lido Pimienta – Gesang

19 July Chiemsee, Münster Frauenchiemsee
Herrenchiemsee Festspiele
Kent Nagano
Werke aus dem „Chigi-Kodex“ von Johannes Ockeghem, Josquin Desprez, Loyset Compère, Johannes Regis und Heinrich Isaac
Bach: Partita Nr. 2 d-Moll für Violine solo BWV 1004
Vokalensemble LauschWerk
Rebekka Hartmann – Violine

21 July Verbier, Festival
Verbier Festival
Kent Nagano
Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings
Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring, originale Version 1944
Brahms: Concerto for Violin in D major, Op. 77
Leonidas Kavakos – Violine

22 July Herrenchiemsee, Spiegelsaal
Herrenchiemsee Festspiele
Kent Nagano
Concerto Köln
Bartholdy: „Die Hebriden“ – Ouvertüre op. 26
Mozart
Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 20 d-Moll KV 466
Schumann
Symphonie Nr. 3 Es-Dur op. 97 „Rheinische“
Tobias Koch – Hammerflügel

24 July Bregenz, Festspielhaus
Bregenzer Festspiele
Omer Meir Wellber
Wiener Symphoniker
Strauss: Tanzsuite nach Klavierstücken von François Couperin, Auszüge
Ayal Adler: In Motion – Concerto for Continuo and Large Orchestra
Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

27 July – Herrenchiemsee, Spiegelsaal
Herrenchiemsee Festspiele
Kent Nagano
Orchester der KlangVerwaltung
Bartholdy: Konzert für Violine und Orchester e-Moll op. 64
Beethoven: Symphonie Nr. 3 Es-Dur op. 55 „Eroica“
So-Ock Kim – Violine

30 July – Herrenchiemsee, Spiegelsaal
Herrenchiemsee Festspiele
Kent Nagano
Orchester der KlangVerwaltung
Jean-Pascal Beintus: „Ein ewig Rätsel will ich bleiben“ (Uraufführung, Kompositionsauftrag der Herrenchiemsee Festspiele)
Haydn: Sinfonia concertante B-Dur Hob. I:105
Schubert: Symphonie Nr. 9 C-Dur D 944 „Große C-Dur“