Over the past few years Rolando Villazón has explored many different avenues. The popular tenor recorded albums of Mexican folk music, dedicated himself to film music and discovered the baroque composer Monteverdi afresh. However, today’s concert programme presents the singer returning yet again to the roots of his art. Villazón and Verdi – truly a classic combination. And the public thank him most profusely.
Discovered by Alfred Brendel, Kit Armstrong is a child prodigy. He learns languages rapidly, reads books while travelling, calculates in his sleep and composes and plays the piano sensationally. The latter is crucial – Armstrong is a pianist who systematically broadens his Œuvre. In collaboration with him we have planned a cycle of Mozart Piano Concerti which will extend over multiple seasons, and which begins today. The first work in the cycle, Mozart’s 22nd Concerto, will be framed by two “war horses” of the concert world – “Zarathustra” and “Death and Transfiguration”, both by Richard Strauss.
Even before he had finished his studies, Eleonore Büning had lauded Igor Levit in the FAZ : “Here is one of the greatest pianists of this century”. His interpretation of the Waldstein Sonata was “a great eruption”. “Levit is a person with both a day and a night side… he cannot rest, he is a walking two man play and one can never be sure if it’s a comedy or a tragedy. He is really only serious when it comes to music”, claims the normally harsh critic. A television programme has been dedicated to the young pianist, who so far is yet to sign a recording contract. Alas, we have no choice but to hear him play live on stage here today!
Sometimes a path leads through a desert – and there is just no way around it. What sounds simple is actually existential and tough, especially for Hélène Grimaud – one of the most charismatic pianists of today – who is notorious for cancelling her concerts. However it is illness rather than mood changes that hinders the artist, who knows exactly what she owes to her adoring public. An artist who doesn’t make it easy for herself or her fans. We take our hats off to her.
What a spectacle! The stage shudders and shakes when children get down to hop-hop. The Children’s Dance Festivals have become a fixture in the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, and this time around classical ballet will be included in addition to the modern dance styles. Girls and boys practise the various dances in appropriate age groups and away from the prying eyes of their parents, who can later return at 4.30pm to admire their dancing children’s prowess! So, all you young dance enthusiasts – come and show us how it’s done! As always, no previous dance experience is required.
Last season when Nils Landgren performed with Viktoria Tolstoy, another musician immediately stood out – jazz pianist Michael Wollny filled the audience with such enthusiasm that we immediately rebooked him. Now at last, the day has finally arrived! Look forward to Nils Landgren and Michael Wollny performing together again. The latter has forged a successful career over the past years, as his numerous awards bear witness. His first album “Hexentanz” is already a classic.
A piano quintet does not mean a quintet consisting of five pianos! There is just one which is incorporated into a string quartet, thereby forcing the composer to make a decision – “should they play in opposition or should I connect them?” There are many possibilities between these two extremes, which is why piano quintets are so highly regarded and appreciated by so many. Piano Quintet No. 2 by Dvořák is pure heaven on earth. However, it is played far too rarely as it is so seldom that a piano and a string quartet find their way onto the concert stage together. Cellist Jan Vogler regularly plays music with friends, and together they perform works which would otherwise be forced to spend their time in the shadows. Be prepared for some musical discoveries!
2013 Baden-Baden Gala: Elīna Garanča & Jonas Kaufmann
Friday, 12. July 2013 to Sunday, 14. July 2013
Place:
Festspielhaus
Prices:
from EUR 63,-
Jonas Kaufmann and Elīna Garanča
Elīna Garanča is one of the greatest opera stars of our time, and in recent years has debuted on one great opera stage after the other. The blonde diva has enchanted audiences in New York, London, Vienna, Paris and of course Baden-Baden, where all were forced to sit up and take notice when she sang the role of Adalgisa in “Norma” alongside Edita Gruberova. Shortly after this she was quickly recognised as one of the world’s best singers. She sings whatever she wants with whomever she wants - and always with passion.
Classic Concert in the romantic courtyard of castle Neuweier.
Philharmonic Castle Concerts
Friday, 12. July 2013 to Saturday, 13. July 2013
Place:
Castle Neuweier
Baden-Baden Philharmonic Orquestra
Classic Concert in the romantic courtyard of castle Neuweier.
2013 Baden-Baden Gala: Elīna Garanča & Jonas Kaufmann
Friday, 12. July 2013 to Sunday, 14. July 2013
Place:
Festspielhaus
Prices:
from EUR 63,-
Jonas Kaufmann and Elīna Garanča
Elīna Garanča is one of the greatest opera stars of our time, and in recent years has debuted on one great opera stage after the other. The blonde diva has enchanted audiences in New York, London, Vienna, Paris and of course Baden-Baden, where all were forced to sit up and take notice when she sang the role of Adalgisa in “Norma” alongside Edita Gruberova. Shortly after this she was quickly recognised as one of the world’s best singers. She sings whatever she wants with whomever she wants - and always with passion.
Who was she, the Dark Lady? William Shakespeare dedicated his most beautiful sonnet to her. One thing is for sure – she was an ancestor of Lady Diana, in which case the poet could really be the forefather of the British monarchy.
Following the matinee performance by the Minetti Quartet in 2009, the applause seemed to continue for an eternity – such lengthy applause is unexpected on a Sunday morning! Following the applause came a barrage of letters, all carrying an urgent request to invite this formation to perform again.
Everyone has sung Verdi, but what about Rossini? For a long time, theatre directors got into trouble if they wanted to put on operas by this composer. For decades, intense, heavy voices were encouraged and the so-called “light tenors” were extremely scarce. Today however, there is an absolute star of this discipline, and his name is Juan Diego Flórez.
Year after year John Neumeier and his Hamburg Ballet troupe return to the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, presenting both classics and new productions. Above all Neumeier ensures he has the opportunity to personally introduce and present works and his company in his “Ballet Workshop”, which has long taken on cult status.
Martin Grubinger is the best percussionist in the world. It is impossible to say something as short and concise about many artists – often there is one who is equally as good, but in some ways, different. However, here it can be said – Grubinger is the best!
Monday, 25. November 2013 to Monday, 30. December 2013
Place:
City Center
Surrounded by the hills of the Black Forest, the picturesque backdrop of the Kurhaus and the Colonnades invites you to explore Christmassy Baden-Baden. A visit to the traditional Baden-Baden Christmas Market is like strolling through a scene from a winter fairytale...
The singer won the British casting show “Stars Up Their Nose” in 1999, and has since become a pop idol in her own right with a unique style which switches between pop, jazz, blues and folk music and can by no means be pigeonholed. The Georgian-British singer is an exceptional talent, and can finally be seen again live in Baden-Baden.
We gladly bow down to this legend. Edita Gruberova – her name has long been a fixture in the musical annals thanks to her commitment to the Bel canto, an art of singing which appears to descend celestially and has the ability to move audiences to tears.
The simplest is also the most difficult – and this is especially so when presenting Christmas carols. Perhaps it is because every child knows them so well that the Christmas repertoire presents a particular challenge for every good choir.
The term “summit meeting” could well be a fitting description of today’s event – that is, if the term didn’t conjure up images of sweat, toil and danger. In actual fact, the exact opposite will be the case! Today two world-class trumpeters meet in relaxed, casual and playful competition – Till Brönner, who is extremely comfortable with both jazz and pop music, and Sergei Nakariakov, who covers the classical side.
Two men to whom the doors of the artistic world are wide open. It is with great anticipation that we welcome Johannes Moser and Andrei Korobeinikov, cellist and pianist who have each won significant awards and performed on a range of remarkable recordings.
The piano music of Schubert is a continent! Not merely nimble fingers are required here, but rather the creation of great arches. The greatest pianists often take pleasure in playing works by this composer as slowly as possible.
Monday, 25. November 2013 to Monday, 30. December 2013
Place:
City Center
Surrounded by the hills of the Black Forest, the picturesque backdrop of the Kurhaus and the Colonnades invites you to explore Christmassy Baden-Baden. A visit to the traditional Baden-Baden Christmas Market is like strolling through a scene from a winter fairytale...
A prince’s heart ignites…and burns. Of course, two women are involved in this. The fact that his heart burns for both is significant for the prince and most fortunate for us. Swan Lake is perhaps the most beautiful of all ballets.
A prince’s heart ignites…and burns. Of course, two women are involved in this. The fact that his heart burns for both is significant for the prince and most fortunate for us. Swan Lake is perhaps the most beautiful of all ballets.
A prince’s heart ignites…and burns. Of course, two women are involved in this. The fact that his heart burns for both is significant for the prince and most fortunate for us. Swan Lake is perhaps the most beautiful of all ballets.
Monday, 25. November 2013 to Monday, 30. December 2013
Place:
City Center
Surrounded by the hills of the Black Forest, the picturesque backdrop of the Kurhaus and the Colonnades invites you to explore Christmassy Baden-Baden. A visit to the traditional Baden-Baden Christmas Market is like strolling through a scene from a winter fairytale...
The Rococo – a style of joy – had very few means to portray human suffering. Likewise, the musical depiction of “Stabat Mater” by Pergolesi is gripping, but not unsettling. Instead of the grievances of a mother we are met with what is almost a song of praise for motherly love and these beautiful duets are amongst the most precious in musical history.
What a wonderful line-up! Clarinet, viola and piano. Dark Autumn colours are readily associated with Mozart and we can be grateful that he devised this combination then immediately crowned it with a masterpiece.
David Orlowsky Clarinet Nils Mönkemeyer Viola William Youn Piano
Is it possible to compose chocolate – to create music with sensory qualities, with sounds that can practically be tasted? Music that melts and contains spice, and that doesn’t want to differentiate between bitter and sweet.
Van Baerle Trio
Hannes Minnaar Piano
Maria Milstein Violin
Gideon den Herder Cello
A man loses his way, wanders off, flees. Love’s sorrows really did move something, in the truest sense of the word! Schubert’s Winterreise also moves the audience. Barely a performance takes place that doesn’t induce tears in the eyes of the listeners.
Matthias Goerne Baritone Christoph Eschenbach Piano
Everyone thinks they know the “Four Seasons” like the backs of their hands. However, this is a fallacy. Those only hearing the melody fail to realise the bass is missing in the slow movement of “Spring”. A dog dozes in the sun – the music floats away while the viola appears to bark. The bass returns in the finale, loud and booming like bagpipes.
For a long time it was greeted with smiles but over recent years the Alpine Symphony has developed into a cult piece. Increasingly, more conductors include it in their programme, inspired and delighted by the innumerable sound combinations required of the musicians.
Kit Armstrong Piano François-Xavier Roth Conductor
SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden and Freiburg
Leticia Moreno? Those winning such significant competitions at a remarkably young age – the renowned Henryk-Szeryng Competition for example – most certainly must possess considerable talent.
It is not so long ago that Christian Thielemann conducted the Fifth Symphony by Bruckner in the Festspielhaus, at that time guiding the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Today he will present the same work with his new orchestra, proving just how pivotal the work is for him.
Christian Thielemann Conductor Saxon State Orchestra Dresden
Things could be so different. Pianist Lang Lang could well rest on his laurels and simply play show pieces, but instead he chooses to juggle with musical heavyweights, playing Schubert and Chopin and the like, taking artistic advice from Daniel Barenboim.
