Name: A Christmas Carol
Start: 2025-12-12T19:00:00
Location: Palace of Culture

Hans-Richard Ludewig

Iris Geißler

Dresdner Philharmonie

"Romeo and Juliet" is known by almost everyone. It's no wonder, as the famous love drama by Shakespeare has been "translated" into various art forms over the centuries: from musicals to operas to purely orchestral music. The Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev succeeded in this with his ballet music in an outstanding way. After a short initial failure, it is now considered one of the best musical adaptations of the story. This is clearly due to its quality! Not only ballet enthusiasts, but also the concert audience couldn't get enough of it - on one hand, the melting melodies, and on the other hand, the dynamic dances, sometimes outrageously virtuosic, sometimes thrilling with their powerful rhythms. At the beginning of the concert, Malte Arkona briefly introduces the piece, and afterwards, he speaks in the After Concert Talk with the artists of the evening about what makes "Romeo and Juliet" so exciting for them.

Best of Classics: Romeo and Juliet

Palace of Culture

Such a powerful piano concerto had not been heard before. When Johannes Brahms premiered his First Piano Concerto in 1859, the audience was thrilled. Few knew how many years he had struggled to complete it. Initially, he wanted to write a sonata for two pianos, but that failed. Then he reworked his ideas for an orchestra, but he was still not satisfied. Finally, the saving idea came to him: to combine the orchestra and piano. Today, the piece is considered one of the most beautiful offerings of romantic music. Prokofiev's suites for Shakespeare's famous love story are also the result of a reworking, transforming the music from a complete ballet to pure orchestral music. He personally selected the most beautiful passages for this purpose. The result is like dramatic cinema for the ears...

Brahms Piano Concerto

Mozart's piano trios are true gems of the Viennese Classical period: Light, elegant, and with a touch of humor, they showcase the brilliant side of the composer. His music radiates lightness, without ever being superficial - a delight for all who love classical music or want to discover it anew. Clara Schumann brings her own unique voice to the concert with her piano trio. Her music is poetic, passionate, and deeply moving - a glimpse into the emotional world of one of the most outstanding female musicians of the 19th century. Finally, Mendelssohn Bartholdy brings energy and drama to the room. His piano trio sparkles with melodious liveliness. It's no wonder that this work is among the most beloved in chamber music.

Mozart, Schumann, Mendelssohn

Advent singing Citizens' Choir

"Christmas is humbug!" grumbles the grumpy moneylender Ebenezer Scrooge, as he sits alone at home on Christmas Eve after work. Christmas joy? Not for him! Neither his nephew, who invites him to the Christmas feast, nor children singing Christmas carols can soften him. But at the stroke of midnight, his life is turned upside down: the ghost of his deceased business partner Marley appears - laden with clanking chains and an eerie warning. Scrooge must change his ways, or else face a similar fate! Before he knows it, he is taken on a moving journey through past, present, and future by the spirits of Christmas. Faced with the consequences of his actions, the icy miser gradually transforms into a man who understands the true essence of Christmas. The dramatic reading is accompanied by festive English Christmas carols sung by the Philharmonic Choir - a atmospheric evening full of goosebumps and heartwarming moments!

A Christmas Carol

Snow sparkles in the pale winter sun, a horse-drawn sleigh glides through a light birch forest. Ice flowers grow on the window pane, while the samovar boils in the room. Tchaikovsky, with his First Symphony, makes a atmospheric declaration of love to the famous-infamous Russian winter with all its manifestations. In addition, two completely different but equally fascinating piano concertos are heard: Prokofiev's First Piano Concerto bursts with energy and sophistication. It is a youthful work full of spirit and shows Prokofiev as a true virtuoso of the piano. On the other hand, Ravel's Piano Concerto "for the left hand" is characterized by darker tones and was written for the pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right hand in World War I. It is so cleverly composed that as a listener, one does not realize that in this almost 20-minute concert, piano and orchestra only play together for six minutes. A challenge for our Artist in Residence, who once again can demonstrate the full range of his abilities.

Ravel and Tchaikovsky

The Herdmann children are the worst of all time - they steal, annoy the neighbors, lie, and are just impossible. These children have now somehow taken over the leading roles in the Christmas nativity play, even though they don't know the Christmas story at all. Everyone expects the worst performance ever. But it turns out differently - the Herdmanns' perspective on the events at the manger turns the nativity play into a very special, different performance. Let yourselves be surprised. A musical Christmas story based on the book of the same name by Barbara Robinson. Text adaptation and composition by Philipp Matthias Kaufmann.

Help, the Herdmanns are coming

The Herdmann children are the worst of all time - they steal, annoy the neighbors, lie, and are just impossible. Ironically, these children have now taken on the lead roles in the Nativity play at Christmas, even though they don't know the Christmas story at all. Everyone expects the worst performance ever. But it turns out differently - the Herdmanns' perspective on the events at the manger turns the Nativity play into a very special, different performance. Let yourself be surprised. A musical Christmas story based on the book of the same name by Barbara Robinson Text adaptation and composition: Philipp Matthias Kaufmann Grades 3-6

There are some annoying traditions, and then there are those that really make an event complete. The Christmas concert of our Philharmonic Children's Choir undoubtedly belongs to the latter! Once again this year, they invite grandparents, parents, and especially all children to listen to familiar and lesser-known Christmas songs, and to sing along to some of them. After that, the celebration can begin...

Once the Lights Are Lit

The opening of our Christmas concert is formed by Smetana's famous symphonic poem "The Moldau". The music almost vividly paints the course of the river - from its bubbling source to its full width as it flows into the Elbe. One can hear nature, rushing forests, and even a wedding in the countryside. A tribute to Smetana's Bohemian homeland, which is so close to us. Hummel's Trumpet Concerto in E major is a sparkling highlight. With virtuosic runs and radiant melodies, it showcases the trumpet at its best. Playing it for us is Lucienne Renaudin Vary, a master on her instrument! In Dvořák's Symphony No. 5, Czech folk music and romantic orchestral colors come together to create a music that touches the heart and soul. From idyllic sounds to captivating drama, the Bohemian master of melodies takes us on an evocative musical journey.

Smetana and Dvořák

What could be a more stylish way to end the year than with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony? This monumental work is far more than a musical classic – it is a message to humanity. With the famous Ode "To Joy," Beethoven celebrates the ideals of freedom, brotherhood, and hope. The rousing choral finale is a musical fireworks display that gives you goosebumps and makes you feel the power of community. The symphony begins with mysterious, quiet sounds, but then unfolds a seemingly endless variety of emotions: from dramatic tension to dance-like lightness to triumphant joy. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony leaves no one untouched and is perfect for the occasion – after all, New Year's Eve and New Year also stand for new beginnings, unity, and looking towards a better future.

Beethoven 9

In our traditional organ concert on New Year's Eve, the queen of instruments and four tubas come together in an unusual combination. Together, Katharina Königsfeld and the Melton Tuba Quartet present well-known classics in a new light. From the delicate, dance-like melodies of Tchaikovsky's "Flower Waltz," to the rapid Allegro from Rossini's overture of the opera "William Tell" with its dramatic energy, to Badinerie and March by Bach - the artful arrangements for organ and tuba also make his music shine in completely new colors. From profound passages to festive sounds - this evening is a musical highlight that bids farewell to the old year with style and energetically accompanies you into the new year! By invitation of the Dresden Philharmonic.