Celebratory concerts mark the opening of Bremen Philharmonic's 200th season on the 22nd and 23rd of September
The Bremen Philharmonic is set to open its 200th concert season with a grand spectacle, as they pay tribute to two of the greatest composers in history – Ludwig van Beethoven and Anton Bruckner. This momentous occasion will take place at the Concert Hall Glocke in Bremen on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 11:00 AM and Monday, September 23, 2024, at 7:30 PM.
The programme for the opening concerts will feature Beethoven's "King Stephen Overture op. 117", composed in 1812 and premiered in Pest on February 9, 1812. This festive and celebratory piece was written as a tribute to the newly crowned King Stephen of Hungary. While specific musical ideas directly linking "King Stephen Overture" to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 are not extensively documented, we can explore the shared thematic and stylistic elements common in Beethoven's works of this period.
The performance will also include selections from Bruckner's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, composed between 1887 and 1896. Despite Bruckner's untimely death before completing the finale, the symphony remains an impressive and monumental sound document, dedicated to "the Majesty of all Majesties, the beloved God".
The Bremen Philharmonic will be joined by soprano soloist Sarah-Jane Brandon, who has previously impressed opera fans with her performances as Lady Macbeth and Ariadne at the Theater Bremen. The programme will also feature Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs (1948), with the premiere on May 22, 1950, in London.
The concerts will serve as a tribute to Bruckner on the occasion of his 200th birthday. Ticket prices range from 19 to 56 euros (reduced 9.50 and 45 euros). Tickets can be purchased online at www.bremerphilharmoniker.de, www.glocke.de, www.nordwest-ticket.de, and www.eventim.de, as well as at their advance sales outlets and at the box office.
The Concert Hall Glocke, located at Domsheide 4/5, 28195 Bremen, is an ideal setting for this musical journey through time. The image above shows the opening concerts of the Bremen Philharmonic's jubilee season at the Glocke. The image source is Bremen Philharmonic / Caspar Sessler.
While Beethoven's "King Stephen Overture" was composed in the key of E-flat major, often associated with heroic, pathetic, and majestic pieces, Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs are characterized by a melancholic mood and themes of change, transitions, and transience.
It promises to be an unforgettable experience, as the Bremen Philharmonic delves into the rich musical heritage of these two great composers. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of this historic moment!
- The Bremen Philharmonic's tribute to Beethoven and Bruckner in their 200th concert season at the Concert Hall Glocke will not only consist of majestic pieces like Beethoven's "King Stephen Overture" but also feature the melancholic, reflective Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss.
- Attendees of the opening concerts can expect a grand spectacle that encompasses entertainment across genres, including music from classics like Beethoven and Bruckner, as well as modern compositions such as Strauss' Four Last Songs.
