Lisa Batiashvili. London Symphony Orchestra. Sir Antonio Pappano
Symphonie fantastique

For this special top-class concert, Heidelberger Frühling has invited the greats of the international classical music scene to the Heidelberg Congress Center: The London Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of new chief conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, will kick off a glittering festival of sound with the stormy sounds of Berlioz' overture "The Corsair". The violin virtuoso Lisa Batiashvili, celebrated for her soulful playing, interprets the first violin concerto by the Polish composer Karol Szymanowski, composed in 1916, a refined and sensuous piece of music with ecstatic moments. The highlight is Hector Berlioz's programmatic masterpiece, the "Symphonie fantastique", in which dreamlike and pastoral scenes are combined with the Dies irae parody and a grotesque witches' sabbath to create a grandiose symphonic tableau.

Dmitri Shostakovich / Mino Marani: Prelude and Fugue op. 87 no. 24 / Leoš Janáček: Sinfonietta op. 60 / Sergei Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 1 in D Minor op. 13 Philharmonisches Orchester Heidelberg Direction Mino Marani

In 1950/1951, inspired by the 200th anniversary of Bach’s death, Dmitri Shostakovich composes 24 preludes and fugues. He was allowed to perform only parts of his work to a selected audience. Only when pianist Tatiana Nikolayeva actively supported his work to be »signed off« by the party, it was recognised. Mino Marani orchestrated prelude and fugue no. 24.

Leoš Janáček’s sinfonietta exudes optimism. It is a work also intended as a tribute to the Moravian capital of Brno. Janáček’s love for Kamila Stösslová, the long awaited recognition for his work as well as the fact that Czechoslovakia had become an independent state filled the composer, then aged 71, with optimism.

In 1895, Sergei Rachmaninoff started his first symphony set to become the last work of the great Russian romantic’s early period.

A charity concert with a vibrant range of musical entertainment featuring the SAP Symphony Orchestra, hosted by Franziska van Almsick.

The funds raised from ticket sales will be donated to healthcare and research in Heidelberg.

Maurice Ravel: »Alborada del gracioso« / Karol Szymanowski/Mino Marani: »Mythes« for Violin and Orchestra / Maurice Ravel: »Tzigane« / Sergei Rachmaninow: Symphonic Dances op. 45
Director: Mino Marani

Karol Szymanovski is one of the most important Polish composers right after Frédéric Chopin. His oeuvre is stylistically diverse and initially inspired by Chopin and Scriabin. Subsequent influences include Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky before he develops his own style combining impressionist and some modern elements. His »Mythes« are from a transitional period: They are miniature works full of sophisticated sounds and impressionist magic, orchestrated for violin and orchestra by Mino Marani.

Maurice Ravel has Basque roots on his mother’s side and his compositions show musical influences from Spain: »Alborada del gracioso« is a genre scene as intriguing technically as it is musically.

Created in 1924, »Tzigane« is a piece of fascinating virtuosity, played for you by renowned violinist Franziska Hölscher from Heidelberg.

Anna Clyne: »Within Her Arms« for String Orchestra / Edward Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor op. 85 / Peter I. Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 7 E-flat Major – Reconstruction by Semyon Bogatyrev
Director: Jamie Phillips

Anna Clyne’s meditative composition from 2009 is an ode to mums and at the same time a meditation on loss, love and life. It’s an expression of desperate tenderness revealed by the artfully interwoven sounds of string instruments.

In Edward Elgar’s last creative period, the year 1919 was permeated by a longing for »the beautiful days«. His wife is seriously ill, the First World War has left its mark. Over a decade before his death, the cello concert is his farewell as a composer. It will be interpreted by Tchaikovsky competition winner Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt.

Tchaikovsky’s 7th symphony: Semyon Bogatyrev’s reconstruction from 1951-1955 is based on a symphony Tchaikovsky started in 1892, composed in E-flat major and entitled »Life«. However, most of his material is used for his third piano concert. Bogatyrev’s version is a fascinating attempt to finish Tchaikovsky’s incomplete composition.

With works by Franz von Suppè, Franz Liszt, Johann Strauß, George Enescu and Emmerich Kálmán
Director: Dietger Holm

Csárdás and waltz – New Year’s Eve with music from the declining Austro-Hungarian monarchy Including Johann Strauß, George Enescu, Franz von Suppè and Franz Liszt. Also including the operetta: Emmerich Kálmán’s »Countess Maritza«. Dive into the magical world of sounds and passionate stories: »Grüß mir die süßen, die reizenden Frauen« (Do you remember, (...) the sweet charming ladies?), »Einmal möchte ich wieder tanzen« (Once I’d like to dance again) and »Sag ja, mein Lieb, sag ja« (Say yes, sweetheart, say yes). An enchanting evening of catchy melodies awaits you as we welcome the New Year with festive splendour.
An evening full of music and emotions, a perfect start into the new year – presented by sopranist Signe Heiberg, tenor Nenad Čiča and Philharmonisches Orchester Heidelberg.