Violinist

There are works considered significant in music history, yet rarely heard in concert halls. One such treasure is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's String Sextet "Souvenir de Florence." Composed immediately after his opera "The Queen of Spades," it reflects a composer who, after intensive work in Florence, translated his impressions into the unfamiliar territory of chamber music. At the beginning of 1890, Tchaikovsky spent three months in Florence, where he devoted himself entirely to composing "The Queen of Spades"—the opera was completed in just 44 days. Even during this time, he encountered a melody whose elegiac character captured the essence of the city. This memory of Florence became the "Souvenir," the seed of his later String Sextet. Only back in St. Petersburg did Tchaikovsky transform the ideas from Italy into their final form—especially since he owed a musical expression of gratitude to the St. Petersburg Chamber Music Society, which had made him an honorary member. With "Souvenir de Florence," Tchaikovsky ventured into new compositional territory: a string sextet that is classically structured yet explores all the possibilities of chamber music interaction. The movement follows traditional form: an expressive sonata movement, a lyrical slow movement in ternary form, a lively scherzo with trio, and a sparkling rondo finale culminating in a virtuosic double fugue. The rich palette of tonal colors and expressive possibilities makes the work a true challenge—and at the same time a joy—for the performing musicians.

EPSG:4326

SOUVENIR DE FLORENCE – Ekhof Festival

Schloss Friedenstein Gotha

A friendship developed between Joseph Joachim, the celebrated violinist, and Johannes Brahms, the quintessential composer, characterized by both artistic admiration and critical tension. Joachim, immediately captivated by Brahms's music, soon became his most important confidant and interpreter. Their letters reveal a complex interplay of admiration, loyalty, and sometimes wounded pride—a delicate web of mutual respect and high expectations. However, from 1884 onward, the friendship between Johannes Brahms and Joseph Joachim was no longer as untroubled as in its early years, for Brahms had sided with Joachim's wife in their divorce proceedings, and since then, the once warm relationship had cooled—marked by expressions and gestures of reserve, coupled with the quiet pride of two artists. Now, however, Brahms's "Double Concerto" for violin and cello was intended to be a sign of reconciliation—a musical dialogue that sought to bridge the gap between them.

JOACHIM, BRAHMS & HAYDN – Reconciliation and Passion

Kulturhaus Gotha

A cello concerto cloaked in a symphonic cloak: At the very end, after many revisions and shortly before his death, Sergei Prokofiev called his Opus 125 "Symphonic Concerto." Quite appropriate, for it is so versatile, so humorous, and so powerful that it successfully combines the two genres. Alexey Stadler follows in the footsteps of none other than Mstislav Rostropovich, who played the solo part at the premiere in 1952. In the second half of the concert, the Stuttgart conductor Johannes Klumpp interprets a symphony by Antonín Dvořák, not from the new world, but still from the old: The Fifth, already in a style all its own and at least as valuable as its famous younger sister, premiered in Prague in 1879.

In contrast

Stadthalle Göttingen

The Thuringia Philharmonic's Christmas concert is a true classic of the December concert program and has become a Philharmonic tradition. For many years, it has exuded a festive atmosphere and set the tone for the upcoming Christmas season. In addition to classical festive music,
this year's surprise program also promises rousing and exhilarating Christmas rhythms. As a special guest, we welcome our Artist in Residence, Alexey Stadler, on solo cello. We cordially invite you to join us for an enjoyable concert in a festive atmosphere and be enchanted!

Philharmonic Christmas

State Theatre Eisenach

B2 Philharmonic Christmas

Gotha Cultural Center

Johann Strauss II, the legendary Viennese Waltz King, was born in Vienna 200 years ago in 1825. However, he died a German, namely a citizen of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Out of love for Adele, the Imperial and Royal Court Ball music director renounced his Austrian citizenship and converted from Catholicism to Lutheranism – and this only because the Pope did not annul the Catholic marriage between Strauss and his second wife, Lilli. As an art connoisseur, Duke Ernst II gladly opened the doors to celebrity and was willing to make Strauss "his" citizen. Following naturalization, the Strauss couple were married in the court chapel of Ehrenburg Palace. In gratitude, Strauss dedicated the polka française "Neues Leben" (New Life) to the Duke. The anniversary concert "Straussiana" will feature works by Strauss's contemporaries, admirers, and the master himself. Of course, his non-blood-related namesake, Richard Strauss, who was himself a master of the late Romantic waltz, will also be featured. Star cellist Alexey Stadler will open his residency with "Don Quixote," a tone poem on a theme of chivalric character.

Straussiana

Johann Strauss II, the legendary Viennese Waltz King, was born in Vienna 200 years ago in 1825. However, he died a German, namely a citizen of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Out of love for Adele, the Imperial and Royal Court Ball music director renounced his Austrian citizenship and converted from Catholicism to Lutheranism – and this only because the Pope did not annul the Catholic marriage between Strauss and his second wife, Lilli. As an art connoisseur, Duke Ernst II gladly opened the doors to celebrity and was willing to make Strauss "his" citizen. Following naturalization, the Strauss couple were married in the court chapel of Ehrenburg Palace. In gratitude, Strauss dedicated the polka française "Neues Leben" (New Life) to the Duke.

A2 Straussiana

Gotha City Hall

This concert commemorating the end of World War II 80 years ago will feature Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" under the direction of Chief Conductor Stanislav Kochanovsky, as well as Ernest Bloch's Hebrew Rhapsody "Schelomo" for cello and orchestra. The soloist for the evening is the internationally acclaimed cellist Alexey Stadler.

Violinist

Alexey Stadler

Events

Past events

May 23, 2026

SOUVENIR DE FLORENCE – Ekhof Festival · Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach

May 21, 2026

JOACHIM, BRAHMS & HAYDN – Reconciliation and Passion · Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach

Future and recently performed repertoire

Cello in Souvenir de Florence by Tchaikovsky

Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach

Cello in Double Concerto by Brahms

Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach

Cello in Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque by Bloch

NDR Radiophilharmonie

Cello in Sinfonia concertante by Prokofiev

Göttinger Symphonieorchester

Cello in String Sextet No. 1 by Brahms

Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach

About

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