Beethoven’s 9th Symphony / In Memory of Nikolaus Harnoncourt / Festival Epilogue
2nd Hamburg International Music Festival
Description
A performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt with many of his longtime collaborators joining him on the podium was planned as the grand finale of the 2nd Hamburg International Music Festival and the last season before the opening of the Elbphilharmonie. On 5 March, Harnoncourt died at the age of 86, peacefully and surrounded by family. The music world mourns the loss of this remarkable artist. The concert takes place as planned - with all other previously announced artists and Diego Fasolis stepping in as new conductor.
In the 1950s, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, a pioneer of »historically informed performance«, established the Concentus Musicus Wien, consisting of like-minded musicians, with the ambition to realise his musical visions. In concert, Harnoncourt’s rigorously studied interpretations detoxified the music with great energy and awareness of authentic musical language and style – almost as if the great masters composed the works only yesterday. Initially controversial and opposed by some, his work has influenced generations of conductors and musicians. This influence can be felt in almost every orchestral concert of our day.
In honour of Nikolaus Harnoncourt, his ensemble joins forces with the Arnold Schoenberg Choir and top-class quartet of soloists to bring the 2nd Hamburg International Music Festival to a magnificent conclusion.
Performers
Concentus Musicus Wien
Arnold Schoenberg Chor
Genia Kühmeier soprano
Wiebke Lehmkuhl alto
Steve Davislim tenor
Luca Pisaroni bass baritone
conductor Diego Fasolis
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sinfonie Nr. 9 d-Moll op. 125
