Miroslav Srnka
Standstill for harpsichord and orchestra (2021) World premiere*
Anton Bruckner
Symphony No. 3 in D minor WAB 103 1st version ( 1872-73)
- Mahan Esfahani Cembalo
- Gürzenich-Orchester Köln
- François-Xavier Roth Conductor
Introduction one hour before the concert with Sabine Weber
Birth and death, happiness and misery, light and darkness: in his 3rd Symphony, Anton Bruckner looks into the kaleidoscope of all those opposites that determine existence. "Such is life!" stated the composer, who dedicated his Third to the idol Richard Wagner "in deepest reverence." François-Xavier Roth strips Bruckner's "Wagner Symphony" of all later changes, conducting the 1st version of 1873, continuing his cycle "Bruckner, the Modern." Mahan Esfahani, pioneer, border crosser and this season Artist in Residence of the Gürzenich Orchestra, swings himself onto the high wire: not with Bach or Rameau, the gods of his instrument, but with a brand new harpsichord concerto by the Czech composer Miroslav Srnka. "With all-forgiving peace" is how this commissioned composition by the Gürzenich Orchestra is to be played. Hope does not die.
Award of the Honorary Ring of the Rhineland to François-Xavier Roth
The Honorary Ring of the Rhineland is the highest award given by the LVR. It was founded in 2001 and honors personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the idea of local and regional self-government as a building block of a future Europe.
François-Xavier Roth stands for the multifaceted effect of music and, with his ensembles - as well as municipalities - has various target groups of our society in mind: Children, young people, senior citizens, the less culturally inclined, etc.
The Landschaftsverband Rheinland cordially invites you to the presentation of the Ring of Honor of the Rhineland to François-Xavier Roth, Gürzenich-Kapellmeister and General Music Director of the City of Cologne, on Sunday, September 11th, 2022, at the Kölner Philharmonie, following the symphony concert.
