Symphoniker Hamburg / Jeffrey Tate
»Eros and Thanatos«: Strauss / Adès / Wagner
In their first symphony concert of the season, the Symphoniker Hamburg under the direction of Maestro Jeffrey Tate devote themselves to the power of love and death. Excerpts from Wagner’s »Tannhäuser« and Thomas Adés’ »Totentanz« are on the programme. In addition, the piano virtuoso, Kirill Gerstein, will make his debut with the Symphoniker Hamburg with Strauss’ »Burleske«.
Until its destruction in 1942, a large frieze in the Marienkirche in Lübeck displayed a grotesque dance of death: skeletons conversing with people of different classes – inscribed with verses from the 15th century. The English composer Thomas Adès uses this image as a setting for his work, which premiered in London in 2013. Dedicated to love and death – the pillars of human existence – this piece creates a contemporary view of the oldest conflict of mankind.
A conflict Wagner was also familiar with: Tannhäuser, torn between sensual and divine love experiences the »mercy of death«.
Performers
Symphoniker Hamburg
Christianne Stotijn mezzo-soprano
Adrian Eröd baritone
Kirill Gerstein piano
conductor Sir Jeffrey Tate
Programme
Richard Wagner
Ouvertüre zu »Tannhäuser« WWV 70
Der Venusberg »Bacchanale« aus »Tannhäuser«
Richard Strauss
Burleske d-Moll AV 85 für Klavier und Orchester
Thomas Adès
Totentanz