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.

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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

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

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

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.

My Melodies

Bertramstraße 8

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.

Elbphilharmonie Visions 2025

Sir Simon Rattle 9

Munich Residence

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.

Helmut Lachenmann

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 14, 2025

My Melodies · hr-Sinfonieorchester

Feb 15, 2025

Elbphilharmonie Visions 2025 · hr-Sinfonieorchester

Mar 22, 2025

Sir Simon Rattle 9 · Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

Apr 30, 2025

Musicians from Marlboro III · Philadelphia Chamber Music Society

May 2, 2025

Musicians From Marlboro · Carnegie Hall

Past events

Nov 28, 2024

Lachenmann and Beethoven 7 · London Symphony Orchestra

Nov 27, 2024

Half Six Fix: Lachenmann and Beethoven 7 · London Symphony Orchestra

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