The David Geffen Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic, lies within walking distance of Manhattan’s iconic Central Park. Fittingly, on 21 March 2019 the orchestra with conductor Jaap van Zweden will perform Charles Ive’s Central Park in the Dark. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Charles Ives: Central Park in the Dark”
A new production of Hans Werner Henze’s opera, Der Prinz von Homburg, opens on 17 March 2019 at Staatsoper Stuttgart for a series of five performances. The production is directed by Stephan Kimmig and will be conducted by music director, Cornelius Meister. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Hans Werner Henze: Der Prinz von Homburg”
In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2019, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conductor Valentina Peleggi will perform a programme featuring works by Clara Schumann, Joan Tower, Florence Price, and the first performance in modern times of Augusta Holmès’ Roland Furieux. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Augusta Holmès: Roland Furieux”
John Casken’s Madonna of Silence, a new 24 minute work for trombone and orchestra, will be given its world premiere by the Hallé Orchestra on 28 February 2019 at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The work was commissioned by the orchestra for their Principal Trombone Katy Jones, and will be conducted by Jamie Phillips. Continue reading “Work of the Week: John Casken – Madonna of Silence”
‘La secret de la vie’, (the secret of life) is the topic of Aribert Reimann’s recent work, Fragments de Rilke, which will receive its world premiere on 23 February 2019 at the Berlin Philharmonie. This song cycle for soprano and orchestra was commissioned by the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin who will give the first performance as part of the Brahms-Perspektiven festival with chief conductor, Robin Ticciati and soprano soloist, Rachel Harnisch. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Aribert Reimann: Fragments de Rilke”
On 16 February 2019, Jörg Widmann’s Babylon-Suite will be performed by Orchestre National de France under the direction of Nicholas Collon in the Radio France Auditorium in Paris as part of the Festival Présence. The performance will be accompanied by video-installations created by students of the École Estienne. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Jörg Widmann: Babylon”
On the 9 February 2019, Dutch National Ballet will give world premiere of Gavin Bryars’ Requiem, ten-movement setting of liturgical texts, for orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists with choreography by David Dawson. The performance will be the first of a seven to be given throughout February in Amsterdam with the final performance taking place on 1 March. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Gavin Bryars: Requiem”
Containing both immense soundscapes and delicate, lyrical melodies, Pēteris Vasks’ Symphony No. 2 for large orchestra is a work that oscillates between extremes. On 1 February 2019, the Winnipeg New Music Festival will perform the symphony’s North American premiere in Canada led by conductor Daniel Raiskin. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Pēteris Vasks: Symphony No. 2”
On 27 January 2019 Peter Eötvös’ melodrama Secret Kiss will be premiered by ensemble Gageego! and actress Ryoko Aoki in Gothenburg. Eötvös, who recently celebrated his 75th birthday on 2 January, will conduct the performance. Continue reading “Work of the Week – Peter Eötvös: Secret Kiss”
On 19 January 2019, a new critical edition of Strauss’ one-act opera Elektra will be premiered at the Landestheater Linz, led by their chief conductor Markus Poschner and directed by Michael Schulz.
Continue reading “Work of the Week – Richard Strauss: Elektra”
