Gewandhausorchester, Andris Nelsons: Adès, Sibelius at Gewandhaus
About the Event
In Leipzig's beloved Gewandhaus, hear the Gewandhaus Orchestra and outstanding soloists under the baton of Andris Nelsons for a captivating performance of works by Adès and Sibelius.
Expansive as the universe, the seven sections of Thomas Adès' piano concerto unfold, following the biblical creation story. Everything begins in chaos with the appearance of the pianist, light is divorced from darkness. In the second section, the waters part and pour skyward or into the depths of the sea in endless scales. The third section is devoted to land and vegetation, the central fourth to the stars. Subsequently, living beings on land and water spread out with the voices of a fugue. The key to understanding the cycle is contemplation in the seventh and last place: only here does the basic musical idea appear in its purest form.
Jean Sibelius, Adès's avowed favorite composer, takes up the creation story of the Finnish Kalevala myth in his 1913 tone poem Luonnotar. A soprano voice sings of the creation of the universe from an egg. Mystical trembling also fills the first bars of his 5th Symphony. At the same time, Sibelius evokes the great tradition of symphonic beginnings and refers to another important beginning of the world in E‐flat major: Wagner's Rheingold prelude. The conclusion of the 5th Symphony is unsettling in its effect. Harsh, brutal chordal strokes abruptly rupture the great sonic swell of the otherwise benign Fifth. The question has been asked how Sibelius could create one of his most solemn and optimistic works during the First World War. The answer clenches into these explosive final chords.
Practical Information
Due to its history, the Gewandhaus Orchestra stands for civic engagement in a special way. With a view to the challenges of the present and the community‐building, inspiring and transformative potential of music, it has launched a democracy initiative in 2022. On pressing issues of justice, resources, media, institutions, education, identity, resilience and faith, public and cultural figures engage in dialogue with each other, with the audience and with musical performances.
'Resonance' is the motto above the musically inspired, culturally initiated discussion of basic values, understanding of democracy and social togetherness. We invite you to join in the discussion at round tables and to experimentally explore and musically experience political, sociological, acoustic and interpersonal facets of resonance in workshops and performances. Inspired by musical artworks, we open spaces for voices of the present and for ideas that strengthen the common good — in exchange between all those who want to help shape society.
