Weekend marks the commencement of Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival - Musical extravaganza in Schleswig-Holstein kicks off this weekend.
The Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, a celebrated annual event in Germany, is set to commence this weekend, marking its 40th anniversary. This year, the festival will showcase a diverse sound world of Istanbul, with a focus on the rich cultural heritage of Turkey.
The festival's opening concerts will take place at the Musik- und Kongresshalle in Lübeck on Saturday and Sunday, and both have already sold out. Christoph Eschenbach will direct the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, with Ray Chen as the soloist, replacing the indisposed pianist Khatia Buniatishvili. The programme includes Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor and Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 7.
In total, the festival will host 203 concerts until August 31, with the Sunday concert being broadcast live on NDR Kultur and 3sat at 8:15 PM. The events will be held not only in Schleswig-Holstein but also in Hamburg, northern Lower Saxony, and southern Denmark, with the Werftsommer on the Kulturwerft Gollan in Lübeck being part of the festival.
Two Children's Music Festivals are also scheduled as part of the event, providing an opportunity for younger audiences to engage with music. The state of Schleswig-Holstein is providing approximately 1.2 million euros in support for the festival, with a total budget of approximately 14.5 million euros, as approved by the supervisory board.
While there is no specific information about an "Istanbul Focus" at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in 2022, past festivals have often explored international themes and collaborations. If there is such a focus this year, it might involve performances by artists from Istanbul or with a connection to Turkish music. For precise information about the 2022 festival, including any focus on Istanbul, it would be best to consult the official Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival archives or contact their organisers directly.
[1] Source: 53rd Istanbul Music Festival, "Beyond Borders" (2025) - https://www.istanbulmusicfestival.com/en/istanbul-music-festival/2025/beyond-borders
The Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival's focus on the rich cultural heritage of Turkey might extend to include performances or collaborations with artist(s) from Istanbul or those connected to Turkish music, similar to collaborations with international themes in previous years. Amidst this celebratory period for the 40th anniversary of the festival, other sectors, such as lifestyle, entertainment, and music, could also find ways to offer community aid to boost the festival's impact and reach beyond its traditional boundaries.
