Blog

Discover Johann Strauss’ sparkling masterpiece Die Fledermaus, premiering in Cagliari on December 13. Why is it called The Bat? What timeless music awaits you? Read our Work of the Week to find out!

Let yourself be enchanted by the extraordinary music of Cécile Chaminade! In her ‘Album des enfants’, the celebrated composer and pianist presents an exquisite selection of 12 piano pieces that are suitable for both lessons and recitals.

Olli Mustonen’s Concerto No. 2 "Larin Paraske" is a musical portrait of the renowned Finnish rune singer Larin Paraske. Blending dreamlike sounds with tradition, the violin concerto premieres on December 6, 2024, in Helsinki. Want to discover how Mustonen transformed ancient rune singing into a modern masterpiece? Read the full story in our Work of the Week!

Between Dream and Reality: On November 29, 2024, the 20th new staging of Toshio Hosokawa’s opera Hanjo premieres at the Mecklenburg State Theatre Schwerin. Directed by Judith Lebiez and conducted by Aki Schmitt, this production brings a hauntingly beautiful story to life.

Is there justice and retribution? This question is at the heart of Krzysztof Penderecki’s opera The Black Mask (original German title: 'Die schwarze Maske'). On November 22, 2024, David Pountney’s production premieres at Teatr Wielki in Warsaw, performed by the Polish National Opera’s choir and orchestra under the direction of Bassem Akiki.

Experimental piano meets orchestral big band: Sebastian Sternal and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band break new ground on their album Turning Point. Genre-crossing Sebastian Sternal has written music for the Frankfurt Radio Big Band that sounds almost classical while retaining the freedom of jazz. In each piece, the musicians celebrate the rules of their art at the highest level by breaking them with relish. A feast of sounds for discerning music lovers of all genres.

Between Devotion and Desire: On November 15, 2024, Paul Hindemith’s one-act opera Sancta Susanna returns to the stage at Berlin’s Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Featuring the Mecklenburg Opera Choir and the Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin under Marit Strindlund, this intense work is brought to life with a fresh, controversial perspective.

Hand in Hand: This is the message of Mozart ve Mevlana by Fazıl Say. On November 6, 2024, this work will premiere at the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre (KKL), performed by the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Sanderling and joined by the Berlin Radio Choir.

The Symphony in One Movement: On November 1, 2024, Phos by Elis Hallik will have its world premiere at the AFEKT Festival, held at the Estonia Concert Hall in Tallinn. The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Clement Power, will perform this work.

Halloween in the Orchestra: On October 25, 2024, Jörg Widmann’s Danse macabre will invite listeners to a chilling dance with death at the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid. The Orquesta Nacional de España, conducted by the composer himself, will perform this dark and fascinating composition as a Spanish premiere.