Freiburger Barockorchester: »Bohemian Symphony« at Philharmonie Berlin

About the Event

In the second half of the 18th century, Vienna was the undisputed music capital of Europe, attracting musicians and composers from all over the world. However, the dominance of the Danube metropolis obscures the fact that another music center flourished not far from Vienna: Prague. Even Mozart and Haydn composed for the Czech capital, contributing to the city's rich musical life. Local composers, on the other hand, always remained in the shadow of the two Austrian masters.

In the concert program “Bohemian Symphony,” the FBO dedicates itself to Mozart's Prague Symphony KV 504 as well as the composers Leopold Koželuh and Anton Kraft. While Koželuh was particularly known for his rousing symphonies, Kraft was considered a highly virtuoso cellist during his lifetime, who, like Joseph Haydn, was in the service of Prince Nikolaus I Esterházy. No wonder, then, that he incorporated this virtuosity, paired with elegant melodies, into his Concerto for Violoncello in C major, Op. 4.

Kraft's cello concerto will be performed for the first time in a concert by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, and internationally renowned cellist Nicolas Altstaedt, who specifically requested Kraft's composition for this program, will be making his debut with the orchestra on this occasion.