Name: Grigory Sokolov
Start: 2026-05-08T19:00:00
Location: Palace of Culture

Grigory Sokolov

Dresdner Philharmonie

Bruckner's Second Symphony is often referred to as the "Symphony of Pauses." But do not worry: these pauses are not silent, but full of tension and give the music room to breathe. A music that was initially considered unplayable by contemporaries. The Vienna Philharmonic initially rejected the work, deeming it far too long. Bruckner shortened it, rented the large hall at the Musikverein at his own expense, rehearsed thoroughly with the orchestra - and was successful. And what a success it was, the applause of the premiere audience on October 26, 1773, seemed never-ending. Bruckner himself later referred to it as the "most memorable day of my life." Today, the symphony is somewhat overshadowed by its successors, but unjustly so. Everything that Bruckner enthusiasts appreciate: the grand arcs of tension, the delicate as well as the powerful moments, the abrupt pauses and new beginnings - they are all already present here. Christoph Eschenbach is considered a Bruckner specialist; that is why we have invited him to conduct it.

Eschenbach with Bruckner

Palace of Culture

Singing is fun and good for you. This is known by all children who sing in a choir - whether it's in the Philharmonic Children's Choir, the school choir, or elsewhere. And we want many more children to experience this! That's why we invite all school choirs to join us in singing in the concert hall. The sheet music will be provided in advance, and of course, there will be a rehearsal together before the concert. So just sign up and participate! Grades 1-5

Dresden school choirs sing

Mozart's Piano Concerto in D minor is one of his most exciting works and, even 200 years after its creation, has lost none of its power. The key of D minor alone shows that this is not about light entertainment. This music tells of great emotions: drama, longing, and passion. He wrote the concerto at a time when he was exploring new paths with his music and bravely experimenting. Particularly impressive is the dialogue between the piano and the orchestra - sometimes they are adversaries, sometimes they merge together. The melodies are so captivating that they became famous even back then and still move people today. At the beginning, Malte Arkona introduces the concerto, and afterwards, you can ask your own questions during the After Concert Talk. So, a concert that not only allows you to listen but also to participate - an experience for all the senses!

Best of Classics: Mozart Piano Concerto

Mieczysław Weinberg's Sinfonietta No. 1 is a work full of lightness and accessibility. However, behind the optimistic sound lies a disturbing story. Composed in 1948, the piece was created in the midst of Stalin's anti-Semitic campaign. Officially celebrated as "bright and optimistic," it met political expectations without betraying Weinberg's progressive composition style. With hints of Jewish folk music, clever variations, and a touch of Shostakovich, it remains a fascinating balancing act between conformity and artistic freedom. Mozart's Piano Concerto KV 466 appears as a contrast, but in its key of D minor, it is also a work full of dramatic depth. Mozart wrote it during a time of personal upheaval and suffering. In a quasi-reconciliatory manner, the concert concludes with Glazunov's "The Seasons," bringing nature to life in vibrant orchestral colors.

Mozart and Glazunov

Grigory Sokolov is a legend. Describing him as one of the most significant pianists of the present day is not an assertion, but a widely confirmed fact. Critics of high standing admit that they lack the right words to describe his art. But perhaps one doesn't even need words, but rather be convinced by him directly. "Art is a parallel universe to reality," he says, and proves it in a unique way in each of his concerts. And as always, he keeps it exciting: he announces his programs at short notice. Thus, the anticipation of a reliably unforgettable concert experience can blend with the expectation of the unexpected when the pianist unfolds his magic touch with music from the Baroque, Viennese Classical, or Romantic periods. By invitation of the Dresden Philharmonic in cooperation with DK Deutsche Klassik.

Bach - Britten - Pärt - MacMillan: On the "Day of Liberation" on May 8th, we musically bridge to Great Britain with our Philharmonic Choirs and present a program that illuminates different musical approaches to themes such as peace, remembrance, and spirituality. In his "Sinfonia da Requiem," Benjamin Britten combines liturgical elements with his personal musical language. Created against the backdrop of World War II, the composition stands as a monument and plea for peace and humanity. Arvo Pärt's "Da pacem Domine" combines meditative calmness and a clear, simple aesthetic. Pärt's minimalist musical language elevates the Latin plea for peace into a timeless, universal dimension. However, the musical core of the concert consists of two works by our Composer in Residence, who also conducts. Particularly poignant are his "Cantos Sagrados." "When composing this piece, I wanted to create something that is both timeless and contemporary, both sacred and secular," he says. The result is a moving work for choir and orchestra that is particularly touching under his direction.

MacMillan and Choir

He played at one of the most spectacular weddings of recent years: for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The bride herself had called the then 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and asked him to play during the church service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle - and half the world watched him. Now he is our guest and fits perfectly into our unconventional concert with his unconventional appearance and artistic excellence! The program includes nothing less than a premiere! The cello concerto by Edmund Finnis will be heard for the first time in Europe on this evening - and you can be there.

abgeFRACKt: Cello Flow

At the center of the concert is the outstanding cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and works that highlight the versatility and radiance of English music through the centuries. Edmund Finnis' "Hymn", originally part of his string quartet "Aloysius" and arranged here for string orchestra, is inspired by William Byrd's setting of the hymn "Christe, qui lux es et dies". The music reflects the rising and setting of sunlight and combines the spiritual depth of the 16th century with Finnis' own musical language. With his cello concerto - a European premiere - Finnis explores the colorful range of expression of the cello in connection with a lively orchestral sound. William Lawes' "The Sunrise", a work from the English Early Baroque, captures the beauty and symbolism of a sunrise. Arthur Bliss' "A Colour Symphony" is finally inspired by the symbolic meanings of different colors. Here, musical and visual layers merge into a multifaceted interpretation of color and sound. Concert as part of the Dresden Music Festival.

 Symphony Concert The Explorer Kanneh-Mason - Dresden Philharmonic - Manze

Contemporary composers often struggle to become known to a wider audience. This is different for Jörg Widmann. Not only is he a celebrated clarinetist, but also perhaps the most performed living German composer. His "Con brio" is a captivating concert overture that captivates from the first second. With incredible dynamics and precise rhythm, Widmann unleashes a musical fireworks display. The virtuosity of the orchestra is also put to the test. On the other hand, Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor is a masterpiece of Romanticism. The soloist becomes a storyteller here: especially the lyrically beautiful Adagio touches the soul... Weber's music impressively shows why the clarinet is one of the most expressive instruments. Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony with its "Fate motif" - that compelling ta-ta-ta-taaa - is known to everyone, and yet it impresses anew every time. From the dark beginnings to the triumphant finale, Beethoven tells of struggle, hope, and victory. This symphony is a milestone in music history and an overwhelming final chord for this special concert evening.

Beethoven 5

Every instrument has its own color, every instrument has its own character. But which of the many instruments can laugh and cry, sob and rejoice - and thus comes very close to the human voice? Also Phili, our curious meerkat, has asked herself this and has taken a very close look in the orchestra cellar. She guesses the clarinet. I wonder if that's true? And how do you even play it? And what does this Carl Maria von Weber have to do with it, who spent many years in the summer in Dresden-Hosterwitz? Questions, all questions - to which Malte will surely find good answers.

phil to explore ...with the romantic clarinet

The Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado has repeatedly explored the fascinating world of the Amazon and captured its beauty and threats in images. Now he has enriched this photographic project with a musical encounter: Together with conductor Simone Menezes, he combines his images with the sounds composed by his compatriot Heitor Villa-Lobos in 1958 as a tribute to the Amazon. Simone Menezes arranged Villa-Lobos' opulent "Floresta do Amazonas" for orchestra and soprano, and Salgado matched each musical sequence with the appropriate photograph. "A perfect connection, almost as if Villa-Lobos' music was written for Salgado's photos," describes Simone Menezes the result. The Dresden Philharmonic, under the direction of Simone Menezes, performs Villa-Lobos' powerful Rainforest Suite, while following Salgado's precise dramaturgy, the corresponding photographic works are shown on the large screen.

Amazonia

It is a beautiful tradition: Dresden amateur choirs present themselves once a year in a concert at the Kulturpalast. Also this time, one can marvel at how diverse, skilled, and passionate singing in Dresden is on this occasion!