The title of this series of concerts– »Happy New Ears« – was something John Cage once wished his audience instead of Happy New Year. Cage, along with Luigi Nono, who taught him, and Karlheinz Stockhausen were among those to have influenced Helmut Lachenmann most. He turns 90 on November 27 this year; a chance to honour one of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries with a portrait concert. He's been trying to broaden horizons across the board with his distinct sound world and challenging concepts of art and music for nearly 70 years. »Art is not an expression of what defines time, but what it lacks,« he said and, with Beethoven in mind: »a metamorphosis of magical, familiar experiences triggered by a spiritually charged, creative driving force« - something that fascinates him.

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Happy New Ears

HfMDK Frankfurt

Oper Frankfurt

Under the direction of its new chief conductor, François-Xavier Roth, the SWR Symphony Orchestra presents two revolutionary composers side by side: Ludwig van Beethoven and Helmut Lachenmann. The first, a giant of Viennese Classical music, the second, a post-war sound pioneer. Both not only pushed musical boundaries with their works, but also consistently challenged their audiences' listening habits. Although Lachenmann, who turned 90 in November, strikes a completely different tone than Beethoven, he clearly places himself in the latter's tradition as a rebel and free spirit: "Beethoven was the first to consciously stop composing to please!"

SWR Symphony Orchestra / Jean-François Heisser / François-Xavier Roth

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

What does classical music sound like today? Astonishingly diverse, of course! And no one could know this better than the Frankfurt-based Ensemble Modern – the leading ensemble for cutting-edge music, which has been shaking up the classical music world for more than four decades. Under the direction of the accomplished star conductor Sylvain Cambreling, it performs works by two very different composers with whom the musicians have enjoyed a long-standing collaboration: the Berlin-based South Korean composer Unsuk Chin and the German grandmaster Helmut Lachenmann, whom the Ensemble Modern also congratulates on his 90th birthday.

Ensemble Modern / Sylvain Cambreling

Helmut Lachenmann has written three works for string quartet – the pinnacle of chamber music, or as he himself calls it: a "good, old, venerable, and tradition-laden ensemble." Who could be better suited to break the traditional tonal and structural boundaries of this genre than the Swabian native – the relentless rebel among contemporary composers? To mark his 90th birthday, two friendly ensembles, Quatuor Diotima and Ensemble Resonanz, will perform all three string quartets, demonstrating in one evening the diverse paths Lachenmann has taken.

Helmut Lachenmann: The String Quartets

The compositions by Pierluigi Billone invariably explore the rich sound potential of instruments and everyday objects.

In a long-standing artistic collaboration with Klangforum Wien, Billone has been creating expansive works of music for over 30 years, always probing the limits of the audible between sound, voice, and speech. In his pursuit, the body serves as the nexus of musical experience. At the laureate concert of the 36th Erste Bank Composition Award, the ensemble performs the world premiere of his latest piece ME (Studie für Ensemble) on 6 November 2025 at Wien Modern festival. Lead by Emilio Pomárico, the programme also includes the performance of Anna Arkushyna’s Murmuration for large ensemble (2014) and Helmut Lachenmann's ...Zwei Gefühle... Musik mit Leonardo (1991/92).‍

Erste Bank Composition Award: Pierluigi Billone

Wiener Konzerthaus

In September, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) returns to the Berlin Music Festival after a long hiatus. The program includes Rebecca Saunders' Piano Concerto "to an utterance," Gustav Mahler's posthumously composed Adagio from his 10th Symphony, and Helmut Lachenmann's "My Melodies – Music for Eight Horns and Orchestra." The pianist Tamara Stefanovich and the entire horn section of the hr-Sinfonieorchester will perform as soloists at the Berlin Philharmonie.

Berlin Music Festival

Berliner Philharmonie

New Music with Jack Quartet

Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

A festival with three concerts condensed into a single day. Renaissance music will be heard alongside outstanding 20th-century compositions. Iconic works by Ravel, Debussy, and Gershwin combine Parisian sophistication with the sizzling rhythms of Broadway. World-class soloists such as Jean-Guihen Queyras, Kirill Gerstein, and the Quatuor Diotima under the direction of Oscar Jockel provide brilliance and fire.

Symphonic farewell

Cologne Philharmonie

Matthias Hermann

Munich Residence

Musicians From Marlboro

Carnegie Hall

In 2023, Marlboro Music welcomed Helmut Lachenmann as its Composer in Residence, a rare U.S. visit for this German composer who has shaped contemporary music worldwide. During his time in Vermont, Lachenmann worked closely with the musicians on Got Lost, a uniquely adventurous work for soprano and piano that challenges the physical and mental expectations of the performers. The program also features Elias Quartet cellist Marie Bitlloch and three magnificent emerging string players performing works by Haydn and Mozart.

Musicians from Marlboro III

 Benjamin Franklin Hall

Sir Simon Rattle 9

Following the Forum N program, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) will make its second appearance this season at Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie. Under the direction of Matthias Hermann, as part of the "Elbphilharmonie Visions 2025" series, it will present Helmut Lachenmann's music for eight horns, "My Melodies," which doesn't seek new sounds but rather new ways of listening, as well as the composition "Sympathetic Resonance" by the British composer Christian Mason, which conceives of the orchestra as a gigantic instrument of resonance.

Elbphilharmonie Visions 2025

With the core program of Forum N, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra will then make its second stop in Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie this season. Under the direction of Matthias Hermann, as part of the "Elbphilharmonie Visions 2025" it will present Helmut Lachenmann's music for eight horns "My Melodies", which is not looking for new sounds, but for new listening, as well as the composition "Sympathetic Resonance" by the British composer Christian Mason, which sees the orchestra as a huge resonance instrument.

Helmut Lachenmann's music for eight horns doesn't seek new sounds, but rather a new way of listening. Also featured is a composition by the British composer Christian Mason, which conceives of the orchestra as a vast instrument of resonance. And interspersed among these is Lachenmann's first major piano work – another listening experience at Forum N. "I always have to do what I can't do," Lachenmann confesses in his notes on "My Melodies" – music that transcends the concept of soloists in the classical sense and even the concept of any melody whatsoever. Lachenmann understands listening to music as a particular capacity for perception. For him, to engage with familiar instruments and tonal material in a new way, to play and resonate with them anew, means to set perception in motion anew and to make it a personal experience. “‘My Melodies’ are not ‘my melodies’ – there aren’t any – but rather, they evoke Frank Sinatra: they convey ‘my way’ of melodies in the creative use of sonic means.” The hr Symphony Orchestra, long familiar with Lachenmann’s musical language, will be joined by two further Lachenmann experts on this evening, unprecedented in many dimensions.

My Melodies

Hessischer Rundfunk

Eine Musik Helmut Lachenmanns für acht Hörner, die nicht nach neuen Klängen sucht, sondern nach neuem Hören. Außerdem eine Komposition des Briten Christian Mason, die das Orchester als riesiges Resonanz-Instrument begreift. Und dazwischen Lachenmanns erstes großes Klavierwerk – ein Hörerlebnis im Forum N auch dies. »Ich muss immer das machen, was ich nicht kann«, bekennt Lachenmann in seinen Anmerkungen zu »My Melodies« – einer Musik jenseits der Vorstellung von Solisten im klassischen Sinne und jenseits der Vorstellung auch von jeglicher Melodie. Musikhören versteht Lachenmann als eine besondere Wahrnehmungsfähigkeit. Mit vertrautem Instrumentarium und Tonmaterial neu umgehen, es neu bespielen und tönen lassen, heißt für ihn, Wahrnehmung neu in Gang zu setzen und für sich selbst erfahrbar zu machen. »›My Melodies‹ sind eben nicht ›meine Melodien‹ – die gibt es nicht –, sondern Frank Sinatra lässt grüßen: Sie vermitteln ›my way‹ of Melodies beim kreativen Umgang mit den klingenden Mitteln.« Das hr-Sinfonieorchester, mit Lachenmanns Musiksprache seit langem vertraut, wird dabei noch von zwei weiteren Lachenmann-Experten unterstützt an diesem in vielen Dimensionen unerhörten Abend.

Bertramstraße 8

Don't be happy too late is the inversion of the well-known motto. Or as a classic: "Always look on the bright side of life". The motto comes from the comedy troupe Monty Python and is still apt. Children and fools are in a good mood and they tell the truth. They dare to do things that are not otherwise appropriate: to be blunt and direct, to hold up a mirror to others, to look at themselves in it, not to take themselves too seriously and to infect others with their anarchic cheerfulness. Sometimes fools also fib. Never mind. When you laugh, you recognize a truth that you would otherwise only suspect through deep thought. A New Year's concert about fools and comedians in music.

New Year's Concert

Staatstheater Darmstadt

Experience the fusion of two musical epochs as the London Symphony Orchestra presents "Lachenmann and Beethoven 7" under the baton of the esteemed François-Xavier Roth. This captivating concert is set to take place at the iconic Barbican on Thursday, 28 November 2024, at 7pm.

The evening will commence with Helmut Lachenmann's "My Melodies Music for Eight Horns and Orchestra," a 37-minute exploration of unconventional orchestral sounds, from whistles and scrapes to whispers. This atmospheric piece sets the stage for the force of eight solo horns, showcasing the virtuosity of the LSO's own musicians in a performance that operates like a vast, singular instrument.

Following an interval, the concert will transition to Ludwig van Beethoven's "Symphony No 7," also lasting 37 minutes. Known as one of Beethoven's most energetic and optimistic works, the Seventh Symphony was a triumph at its premiere, with the audience demanding an encore of the famous second movement. Beethoven himself regarded it as "one of my very best." The symphony promises a thrilling live experience, full of spontaneous energy and inspired invention.

François-Xavier Roth, a champion of both early and contemporary music, leads the LSO in this diverse program. His expertise promises to bring a fresh perspective to these works, ensuring an evening of unforgettable musical exploration.

The concert will conclude at approximately 8:40 pm, including a 20-minute interval. Tickets are available in various price ranges, with a £4 booking fee per online or phone transaction. Attendees can also take advantage of various discounts, including Wildcards for guaranteed entry with seat allocation on the day, multibuy discounts, and special rates for groups, students, and young people.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the London Symphony Orchestra's performance of "Lachenmann and Beethoven 7," a blend of two sound worlds and centuries apart, for a night of rousing and irrepressible music. Book your tickets now for an evening that promises to be a highlight of the musical season.

Lachenmann and Beethoven 7

Barbican Centre

Immerse yourself in an evening of groundbreaking music with the London Symphony Orchestra's "Half Six Fix: Lachenmann and Beethoven 7" concert. This captivating event, under the baton and presentation of François-Xavier Roth, LSO Principal Guest Conductor, is set to take place at the Barbican on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, starting at 6:30 pm.

The concert promises an innovative experience, beginning with Helmut Lachenmann's "My Melodies Music for Eight Horns and Orchestra." This piece is renowned for its unique soundscape, employing unconventional instrumental techniques that create an atmosphere filled with whistles, scrapes, and whispers. The performance showcases the exceptional virtuosity of the LSO's musicians, as eight solo horns come together in a display of cohesive force.

Following this, the audience will be treated to excerpts from Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, a work celebrated for its optimistic spirit and thrilling auditory experience. François-Xavier Roth aims to bridge two sound worlds, two centuries apart, allowing each work to illuminate the other. Roth's insights will guide the audience through this journey, offering a fresh perspective on Beethoven's music and its dialogue with contemporary compositions.

The concert is designed to kick-start your evening with a 60-minute format, featuring live introductions from the performers. Screens in the hall will bring you closer to the action, ensuring an immersive experience. The event will conclude at approximately 7:35 pm, though timings are subject to change.

Tickets are available at various price points, with a £4 booking fee per online or phone transaction. Additional booking options include Wildcards for guaranteed entry with seat allocation on the day, and a Half Six Fix Season Pass, offering a Wildcard for all eight concerts in the season.

This event is not just a concert but an exploration of music's power to connect eras and innovate listening experiences. Join us for an evening that promises to redefine your understanding of classical and contemporary music.

Half Six Fix: Lachenmann and Beethoven 7

François-Xavier Roth, LSO Principal Guest Conductor, is a champion of new music and new ways of listening. Hear his insights as he introduces this concert, which brings together two sound worlds, two centuries apart, each work illuminating the other.  

London Symphony Orchestra/Half Six Fix

Musica Nova

University of Rochester

When, at some point towards the end of Helmut Lachenmann's "Dance Suite with German Song" (1980), Haydn's Kaiser Quartet is actually quoted or at least alluded to, it is already clear that no anthem is to be sung along to. And there can be no talk of dancing in this piece by one of the key composers of the past decades. In this provocative work, which was of course premiered in Donaueschingen and is performed here with the help of the sensational Quatuor Diotima String Quartet from Paris, Lachenmann was concerned with noises, with breaks, with the question of what a note actually is.

3rd Philharmonic Concert

Morning Concert

Libbey Park

Boston Conservatory Sinfonietta presents an evening of works by German composers J.S. Bach, Wagner, and Lachenmann, led by conductor Vimbayi Kaziboni and Lucinda Carver on the harpsichord.

Boston Conservatory Sinfonietta

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Possessing a “tone that draws in one’s ear with sounds and ideas that simply cannot be resisted” (Philadelphia Inquirer), flutist Julietta Curenton joins “leading new-music foursome” (New York Times) the JACK Quartet in a concert that includes the Philadelphia premiere of Iranian composer Aida Shirazi’s Vestiges. The program concludes with John Zorn’s Nachträglichkeit, a work for string quartet and flute that is full of surprises, from extremely quiet moments to unexpected, fast blows.

JACK Quartet & Julietta Curenton, flute

American Philosophical Society

Among the most nimble ensembles in contemporary music today, the adventurous JACK Quartet visits with a kaleidoscopic program of new and recent works by living composers. The group is known for the fierce commitment and virtuosity it brings to a range of innovative and idiosyncratic repertoire—in a landscape where each piece and each composer challenges the players with novel techniques, sounds, and approaches to their music making.

Helmut Lachenmann

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 2, 2025 - May 13, 2026

Happy New Ears · Oper Frankfurt

Mar 15, 2026

JACK Quartet · Cal Performances

Past events

Dec 2, 2025 - May 13, 2026

Happy New Ears · Oper Frankfurt

Dec 2, 2025

SWR Symphony Orchestra / Jean-François Heisser / François-Xavier Roth · Elbphilharmonie

About

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