Trumpetist

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart received the commission for "Theatrical Director" from Emperor Joseph II on the occasion of a visit by the Dutch Governor-General. The idea of ​​writing a comedy about the theater and its stars supposedly originated with the emperor himself, in order to enhance the reputation of the German Singspiel. The musical portion of this one-act opera is relatively short at around twenty minutes; besides the overture, there are only four vocal numbers (an arietta, a rondo, a trio, and the final song), otherwise spoken dialogue predominates. It is primarily due to its many allusions to long-forgotten plays of the time that the overture has maintained its place in the concert hall.

Very classic

Bochumer Symphoniker

Fancy some festive sounds? The Baroque period offers plenty of them. Simon Höfele, the 2020 OPUS KLASSIK award winner, demonstrates this evening that the trumpet can also contribute to the festive atmosphere. At his side and the main protagonist of this concert is the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Germany's oldest chamber orchestra, which will strike familiar Baroque tones in this program. With works by Bach and Handel, as well as Edvard Grieg's suite "From Holberg's Time," this evening with Simon Höfele, the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, and the French violinist Muriel Cantoreggi promises to be a festive sound experience in the basilica of Eberbach Abbey.

EPSG:4326

Festive baroque and trumpet sounds

Eberbach Abbey

Friday Concert No. 6

Volkshaus Jena

Works from the albums “Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger” by Frank Zappa (1984) and “Sketches of Spain. Arranged and conducted by Gil Evans” by Miles Davis (1960)

Philharmonie meets Jazz

Thursday Concert No. 6

The Philharmonic Society invites you to a discussion

Philharmonic Salon No. 3

How could the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra give a more appropriate musical welcome to its new ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, the exceptional trumpeter Simon Höfele, than with the radiantly festive trumpet overture by the young Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy? While his Opus 101, premiered in 1828/1833, marks the time when the modern valve trumpet began its triumphal march, Simon Höfele first introduces himself to the Jena audience with Johann Nepomuk Hummel's Trumpet Concerto in E major, composed in 1803 for the Viennese court trumpeter Anton Weidinger, who was the first to be able to play notes chromatically across the entire scale on his newly invented keyed trumpet. He also has a surprise piece in his repertoire that - let's just say - revolutionized the art of trumpet playing in the 20th century and is now part of world musical literature. With a masterfully sparkling musical setting of water damage caused by magical amateurism – Paul Dukas' imaginative tone poem "L'Apprenti sorcier" from 1897, inspired by Goethe's famous ballad "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" – the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of General Music Director Simon Gaudenz, concludes its first Saturday concert.

Saturday Concert № 1 »Trumpet Favourites«

"Simon Höfele's tone sounds like that of an oboe. No, it sounds like a human voice. Or maybe a trumpet? Disturbingly beautiful," said the SWR (South German Broadcasting Corporation) of this brilliant trumpeter. But it's not just his tone that makes him an exceptional musician. He plays a repertoire of impressive range with the highest quality. This makes him one of the best and most renowned trumpeters of his generation. As a soloist, he has appeared worldwide with leading orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra. He performs at the Elbphilharmonie, as well as at Wigmore Hall, the Tonhalle Zurich, the Vienna Konzerthaus, and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. ​​In the 2024/25 season, Simon Höfele was "Artist in Residence" at the Jena Philharmonie, and in 2021/22 he was with us.

7th Philharmonic Concert

Kleist Forum

7th Symphony Concert

Nikolaisaal

"I dedicate the composition The Dance of 21 to all those who, with strength, struggle, and faith, rebel within themselves every day, to those who tirelessly defend hope and deeper humanity, to those who, without knowing it or caring, become the new model for the future."

Trumpetist

Simon Höfele

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 17, 2026

7th Philharmonic Concert · Brandenburgischen Staatsorchesters Frankfurt

Apr 18, 2026

7th Symphony Concert · Brandenburgischen Staatsorchesters Frankfurt

8 - 9 May, 2026

8th Symphony Concert · Staatstheater Mainz

Past events

Sep 24, 2025

Very classic · Bochumer Symphoniker

Aug 15, 2025

Festive baroque and trumpet sounds · Rheingau Musik Festival

Future and recently performed repertoire

Trumpet in Trumpet Concerto by Hummel

Jenaer Philharmonie

Trumpet in Trumpet Concerto by Marsalis

Brandenburgischen Staatsorchesters Frankfurt

Trumpet in Overture in C major by Mendelssohn

Jenaer Philharmonie

Trumpet in Ypsilon. A Poem for Trumpet and Orchestra by Gourzi

Staatstheater Mainz

About

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