Concertgebouw Orchestra Christmas Matinee with Klaus Mäkelä

About the Event

Welcome to the traditional Christmas Matinee with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. This musical tribute concert, conducted by Klaus Mäkelä, intertwines Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 with pieces by Tchaikovsky and Arensky, featuring cellist Sol Gabetta.

Christmas Matinee with Klaus Mäkelä
For over five decades, the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s Christmas Matinee has been broadcast live from the Main Hall every Christmas Day. However, attending the concert in person offers an unparalleled experience. This year, Klaus Mäkelä, our chief conductor designate, leads a program rich in musical homages.

Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky once revealed, 'It is thanks to Mozart that I have devoted myself to music,' and his admiration for the 'radiant genius' is evident in his Variations on a Rococo Theme for cello and orchestra. Sol Gabetta takes center stage in this mesmerizing piece. For Anton Arensky, an early‐deceased composer, Tchaikovsky was a significant influence, as shown in his Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky.

Mozart's Symphony No. 39
Mozart’s final symphonies, with their unprecedented emotional breadth, mark the pinnacle of his symphonic work. Symphony No. 39 is notable for many reasons, particularly Mozart's choice to omit oboes in favor of the beloved clarinet. The clever final movement nods to ‘Papa’ Haydn while seemingly foreshadowing the Romantic era.