Four concerts at the Laeiszhalle.

Even though most instrumentalists will probably hate him for saying so, Thomas Quasthoff – with his usual joy of provocation – stated that he considers the human voice the richest and most colourful instrument of all. Complaints from those string or brass playing colleagues will, however, be few and far between, because the German bass-baritone proves his theory with his own voice, offering nearly unlimited expressive possibilities.

Obviously, Quasthoff impresses with the pure brilliance of his voice, but above all it is the scope of his expression that fascinates. Where others remain comfortably in the middle range of their voices, Quasthoff actively looks for the depths and heights of human emotion. This spirit of adventure has not only brought Quasthoff to the forefront of his field, it has also allowed him to cross many musical borders.

The »Quasthoff repertoire« is not your typical recital program, as the artist emphasizes himself: »Classical music should stop being so stiff and elitist. We need to return to the basic point of entertainment. A lieder recital doesn't have to mean »look gloomy all evening and then float home enraptured«! We're show people, for goodness sake. Sammy Davis Jr. and Jerry Lewis demonstrated how it's done for 50 years and more. It should be fun.«

Thomas Quasthoff demonstrates his singular versatility with a four-part project rounded off with a masterclass at the Hamburg music college. Quasthoff the entertainer will present programmes extending from the grand masters of the Romantic repertoire – Brahms' song cycle »Die schöne Magelone«, and Schumann's Spanish vocal quartets right through to American popular songs and on to German folksongs. There will be no »gloomy looks« in this series, but you may well »float home enraptured.«

Concerts of this Series

07.10.09

Brigitte Fassbaender • Thomas Quasthoff • Helmut Deutsch

Die schöne Magelone

Wed, 20:00 / Laeiszhalle Hamburg / Großer Saal / Elbphilharmonie Konzerte

Johannes Brahms: Die schöne Magelone / 15 Romanzen aus Ludwig Tiecks Erzählung op. 33
Aus »Die Wundersame Liebesgeschichte der schönen Magelone und des Grafen Peter aus der Provence«
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Zugabe:
Johannes Brahms: Unüberwindlich op. 72/5
Johannes Brahms: Trennung op. 97/6 «Da unten im Tal»

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31.10.09

Röschmann • Kirchschlager • Bostridge • Quasthoff

Hommage à Schumann

Sat, 20:00 / Laeiszhalle Hamburg / Großer Saal / Elbphilharmonie Konzerte

Robert Schumann: Spanisches Liederspiel op. 74
Robert Schumann: Minnespiel op. 101 nach Gedichten von Friedrich Rückert
Robert Schumann: Spanische Liebeslieder op.138
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Zugabe:
Robert Schumann: Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär op. 43/1 (Drei zweistimmige Lieder)
Robert Schumann: Er und sie op. 78/2 (Vier Duette)
Robert Schumann: Herbstlied op. 43/2 (Drei zweistimmige Lieder) «Das Laub fällt von den Bäumen»
Robert Schumann: Liebhabers Ständchen op. 34/2 (Vier Duette)

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24.02.10

Thomas Quasthoff: »Tell it like it is«

Soul & Jazz

Wed, 20:00 - approx. 22:30 PM / Laeiszhalle Hamburg / Großer Saal / Elbphilharmonie Konzerte

Soul- und Jazz-Standards der 70-er Jahre

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02.06.10

Winkler • Raabe • Quasthoff • Samel

Die Gedanken sind frei

Wed, 20:00 - approx. 21:15 PM / Laeiszhalle Hamburg / Großer Saal / Elbphilharmonie Konzerte

Ein Abend mit Volksliedern

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