In early October, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) will perform two guest concerts in Vietnam as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam. As the official contribution of the State of Hesse to the anniversary festivities, the orchestra will present two large-scale chamber concerts featuring works by German composers, one in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, and the other in Ho Chi Minh City. The program includes a double quartet by the operatic dramatist Louis Spohr, who worked for many years in Hesse, as well as Ludwig van Beethoven's Sextet for two horns and string quartet and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's Octet for four violins, two viols, and two cellos. Hesse and Vietnam have enjoyed a privileged partnership since 2012. The Southeast Asian country is a significant partner in education, research, and technology.

Anniversary concerts Vietnam

Ho Guom Opera

Musik in Gedanken an die Schrecken des Krieges mit Musiker*innen des hr-Sinfonieorchesters aus fünf Ländern, deren Großväter im Zweiten Weltkrieg als Feinde gegenüberstanden und sich bekämpften – ein Konzert der Rückschau wie Vergegenwärtigung und Hoffnung! Mit seinem 8. Streichquartett hat der Russe Dmitrij Schostakowitsch 1960 den Opfern des Faschismus und des Krieges ein bewegendes musikalisches Denkmal gesetzt. Der Amerikaner Aaron Copland war während des Zweiten Weltkriegs vom Tod eines befreundeten Leutnants betroffen und er verarbeitete dies 1943 in seiner einzigen Violinsonate. In »Tenebrae« greift der rumänisch-israelische Komponist Osvaldo Golijov auf seine eigenen Erfahrungen zurück und stellt die Gewalt des Krieges neben die Ruhe eines Planetariums und die Hoffnung auf Frieden. Dazwischen zwei zeitgenössische Werke der Amerikanerin Jessie Montgomery und der Japanerin Michiru Oshimas, die die Gedanken des Friedens wie des Erinnerns aufgreifen und die Sinne öffnen.

EPSG:4326

Im Gedenken

Bertramstraße 8

Music reflecting on the horrors of war, performed by musicians from the hr-Symphony Orchestra from five countries whose grandfathers fought against each other in World War II – a concert of reflection, remembrance, and hope! With his String Quartet No. 8, the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich created a moving musical monument to the victims of fascism and war in 1960. The American composer Aaron Copland was deeply affected by the death of a lieutenant friend during World War II, an experience he processed in his only violin sonata, written in 1943. In "Tenebrae," the Romanian-Israeli composer Osvaldo Golijov draws on his own experiences, juxtaposing the violence of war with the tranquility of a planetarium and the hope for peace. Interspersed are two contemporary works by the American composer Jessie Montgomery and the Japanese composer Michiru Oshimas, which explore themes of peace and remembrance, opening the senses to profound reflection.

In remembrance…

Hessischer Rundfunk

For a long time, women composers had a hard time; they were mostly ignored in their time and throughout history. But women have composed with strength and talent at many times. In this concert, you can experience some of them, with their rich music and their creative work. You may still know Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger and Rebecca Clark, but it is a different story with Isabella Leonarda, an Italian nun from the 17th century who was one of the most productive composers of her era, or Marie Jaëll, a French pianist and composer from the 19th century. The Frenchwoman Mélanie Bonis, whose works were mostly published in the 19th century under the pseudonym Mel Bonis, is also hardly known in this country, as is the Austrian pianist, singer and composer Maria Theresia von Paradis, who was blind since childhood and was also very prominent in the musical life of her time, the Viennese Classical period. In this concert you can get to know them all, as well as Emilie Mayer, a German composer of the 19th century who was also highly celebrated during her lifetime and was widely regarded as the "female Beethoven".

Women Power

Female composers have had a hard time for a long time, and have been largely ignored by history. This year's chamber concert by the hr Symphony Orchestra in Erbach will feature some of them, with their rich music and creative work. Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger and Rebecca Clark will be familiar, but Isabella Leonarda, an Italian nun from the 17th century who was one of the most productive composers of her era, or Marie Jaëll, a French pianist and composer from the 19th century, is not. The Frenchwoman Mélanie Bonis, whose works were mostly published under the pseudonym Mel Bonis in the 19th century, is also hardly known in this country, as is the Austrian Maria Theresia von Paradis, who was blind since childhood and was very prominent in the musical life of her time, the Viennese Classical period, as a pianist, singer and composer. In this concert you can get to know them all, as well as Emilie Mayer, a 19th-century German composer who was celebrated during her lifetime as the "female Beethoven".

Werner-Borchers-Halle

Female composers have long faced challenges, largely ignored by history. This year's chamber concert by the hr-Symphony Orchestra in Erbach offers the opportunity to experience several of them, showcasing their rich music and creative output. Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger, and Rebecca Clarke are still familiar figures, but the same cannot be said for Isabella Leonarda, a 17th-century Italian nun who was among the most prolific composers of her era, or Marie Jaëll, a 19th-century French pianist and composer. The French composer Mélanie Bonis, whose works were mostly published under the pseudonym Mel Bonis in the 19th century, is also largely unknown in Germany, as is the Austrian Maria Theresia von Paradis, who was blind from childhood and a prominent figure in the Viennese Classical music scene as a pianist, singer, and composer. In this concert you can get to know them all, including Emilie Mayer, a 19th-century German composer who was celebrated during her lifetime as the "female Beethoven".

Beethoven's grew out of a trio in his later years, Bruch's was a late work and long lost - both quintets have a special maturity, musical essence from many years. They immediately captivate you, just like the mastery of Haydn's quartet. Beethoven's model for his string quintet was a bold youthful work with an impetuous character, which he transformed as an established master, while Bruch, at the age of eighty, once again formulated his traditional credo in his quintet. Looking back, he also quotes himself - as a reminiscence and self-assurance of his own past.

quintessence

The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) returns to the Wettenberg Winter Concerts with its chamber music program. This time, they present two masterful string quintets. Beethoven's quintet grew out of a trio in his later years, while Bruch's was a late work and long thought lost – both quintets possess a special maturity, a musical essence spanning many years. They immediately captivate the listener, as does the masterful Haydn Quartet.

Quintessence

Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Wißmar

The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra is once again making a stop at the Wettenberg Winter Concerts with its chamber concerts. This time with two masterful string quintets. Beethoven's grew out of a trio in his later years, Bruch's was a late work and long lost - both quintets have a special maturity, musical essence from many years. They immediately cast a spell over you, just like the mastery of Haydn's quartet.

Pfarrstraße 5

The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) returns to the Forum Kultur Heppenheim this season with its chamber music concerts. In the historic Kursaal, they present a program of musical lesser-knowns and surprises. For a long time, female composers faced significant challenges, being neglected by both their contemporaries and posterity. This concert showcases several of them, highlighting their rich music and creative output. Clara Schumann is one of them and still widely known, while Isabella Leonarda, a 17th-century Italian nun who was among the most prolific composers of her era, and Marie Jaëll, a 19th-century French pianist and composer, are less familiar. Enriched by the addition of music from two renowned male composers, this concert afternoon in Heppenheim promises to be a truly engaging experience.

With heart and soul

Das hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt ist mit seinen Kammerkonzerten auch in dieser Saison zu im Forum Kultur Heppenheim. Im traditionsreichen Kursaal bietet es dabei diesmal ein Programm mit musikalischen Unbekannten und Überraschungen. Denn Komponistinnen hatten es lange schwer, sie wurden von ihren Zeitgenossen wie von der Nachwelt lange missachtet. In diesem Konzert sind einige zu erleben, mit ihrer reichen Musik und ihrem kreativen Schaffen. Clara Schumann ist eine von ihnen und noch allgemeinhin bekannt, anders verhält es sich bei Isabella Leonarda, einer italienischen Nonne des 17. Jahrhunderts, die zu den produktivsten Komponistinnen ihrer Epoche gehörte, und bei Marie Jaëll, einer französischen Pianistin und Komponistin des 19. Jahrhunderts. Angereichert noch um Musik zweier berühmter männlicher Kollegen ist dieser Konzertnachmittag in Heppenheim sicherlich ein sehr interessanter.

Stefanie Pfaffenzeller

Events

Past events

Oct 2, 2025

Anniversary concerts Vietnam · Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

May 18, 2025

Im Gedenken · hr-Sinfonieorchester

Future and recently performed repertoire

Viola in String Quartet in D major by Haydn

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Violin in Three Romances for Violin and Piano by Schumann

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Violin in 12 Sonatas by Leonarda

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Violin in Octet by Mendelssohn

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Violin in Violin Sonata in B-flat major by Mozart

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Viola in Tenebrae by Golijov

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Viola in String Quintet in E-flat major by Bruch

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Violin in Double String Quartet No. 4 by Spohr

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Viola in String Quintet by Beethoven

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

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