Live concerts

Photo: Akos Stiller

They crossed the musical border between Austria and Hungary: Joseph Haydn und Franz Liszt, who are juxtaposed in this concert by Iván Fischer. From Liszt we hear Eine Faust-Symphonie, which vividly portrays the protagonists of Goethe’s tragedy: the brooding title character, the sensitive Gretchen, and the mischievous Mephisto. Haydn, on the other hand, is represented by his charming Sinfonia concertante, whose solo parts are played by musicians of the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Photo: Sebastian Hänel

Daniel Stabrawa, first concertmaster of the Berliner Philharmoniker since 1986, is one of the orchestra’s most familiar faces. In this concert you can encounter him as both soloist and conductor – namely in the wonderfully graceful Violin Concerto No. 1 by the just 17-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We will also hear the Violin Concerto by Andrzej Panufnik, as original as it is soulful, and to close, we hear another youthful work: Schubert’s Fifth Symphony, enchanting in its optimism and luminous elegance.

Photo: Marco Borggreve

Photo: Martin Walz

Photo: Stephan Rabold

According to Gustavo Dudamel, anyone who conducts Mahler stands in the eye of a hurricane: they have to confront a tremendous force, tame it and enjoy it at the same time. With his characteristic energy, Dudamel is perfectly suited for this task. He now conducts the Second Symphony, in which Mahler brought the concentrated power of orchestra, choir and soloists to bear for the first time. Thematically, the work revolves around death and resurrection – musically, however, it is a vibrant panorama, full of colour and freshness.

Photo: Mark Hanauer

Photo: Holger Kettner

Gustavo Dudamel, the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Waldbühne – a great success story. In June 2008, at the age of 27, the Venezuelan made his debut with the orchestra on the open-air stage with a programme of Spanish and South American music. This concert sees the conductor appear with the Philharmoniker for the fourth time this season. And one thing is certain: it will be another highlight in the joint collaboration between conductor and orchestra.