As the calendar flips to a new year, the WDR Sinfonieorchester brings a series of concerts that blend the old with the new, showcasing the timeless appeal of classical compositions. From Bernstein's vibrant notes to Strauss's elegant waltzes and Rachmaninoff's emotional depth, these events promise an unforgettable auditory journey. Engage with the soulful voice of Julia Bullock, marvel at the youthful prowess of Yunchan Lim, and feel the jazz-infused creativity of Wynton Marsalis in the heart of Germany.

A Symphony of Classics: From Bernstein to Strauss & Beyond

Attend an orchestra rehearsal of the WDR Symphony Orchestra in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall on Thursday afternoon from 12:00 to 12:30 with free admission and whet your appetite for an evening of concerts.

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PhilharmonieLunch

Cologne Philharmonie

Great emotionality and the highest technical demands make Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto one of the pianistic touchstones. The multi-award-winning, 20-year-old Yunchan Lim takes on this challenge. Afterwards, the dazzling jazz star Wynton Marsalis shows what creative power he can extract as a composer from a classical formation.

Sound Power - Rachmaninoff & Marsalis

Waltzes, polkas, blissful operetta charm, sparkling like the sound of champagne: this is what the Viennese masters from the great Strauss family stand for, as does Franz Lehár. Atmospheric opera moments by contemporary Giacomo Puccini introduce the gala before the imaginary curtain rises to forays into operetta classics such as "The Merry Widow", "Giuditta" and "The Bat". Waltzes and lively polkas provide the furious finale. The star guest is the Polish soprano Magdalena Lucjan, who studied in Vienna and thus brings the flair of the Danube metropolis directly to the Rhine.

New Year's Splendor - Strauss & Puccini

Waltzes, polkas, blissful operetta charm, sparkling like the sound of champagne: this is what the Viennese masters from the great Strauss family stand for, as does Franz Lehár. Atmospheric opera moments by contemporary Giacomo Puccini introduce the gala before the imaginary curtain rises to forays into operetta classics such as "The Merry Widow", "Giuditta" and "The Bat". Waltzes and lively polkas then provide the furious finale. The star guest is the Polish soprano Magdalena Lucjan, who studied in Vienna and thus brings the flair of the Danube metropolis directly to the Rhine.

WDR Happy Hour - Vienna Furioso

Philharmonic Essen

A musical trip to America at the end of the year - with the composers Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin, in whose works the new sounds of the West and jazz are mixed with the traditions of European classical music. Between Bernstein's festival music "Divertimento" and Gershwin's Southern opera "Porgy and Bess" one of the strongest female voices in America has her say: the composer Jessie Montgomery, born in New York in 1981. Her "Freedom Songs" were written especially for the soprano Julia Bullock and are modern arrangements of traditional Afro-American music.

New Year's Eve Concert - Bernstein & Gershwin

Philippe Jordan is better able to stage great symphonic drama than almost any other conductor of his generation. The music director of the Vienna State Opera is an expert in musical theater, but is also in demand as a guest conductor of international orchestras. When he conducts Anton Bruckner in his anniversary year, the music of the Austrian late romantic will be transformed into a great symphonic narrative, full of references to Richard Wagner, whom he admired so much. Bruckner's Eighth, his last completed symphony, was described by the composer himself as a "mystery." Jordan will surely reveal some of its secrets.

Mystery - Bruckner's Eighth

"Rejoice, be glad!" sings the choir at the beginning, ushering in the Advent season for many every year. With rousing choirs, atmospheric solos and contemplative chorales, Bach's Christmas Oratorio finds a tone and gesture that delights audiences and singers alike and has made the work a favorite piece during the Christmas season. A star cast of soloists, the WDR Radio Choir, the WDR Symphony Orchestra and the charismatic conductor Simon Halsey allow the great music to unfold its full radiance and together tell a timeless story of peace on earth.

Bach: Christmas Oratorio

Rejoice, be glad! Bach's Christmas Oratorio is as much a part of the holidays as mulled wine and the Advent wreath. In this concert, however, the audience must actively help to experience the popular and famous Christmas music: the appropriate music will only be heard if the puzzles of the exclusive Bach Escape Room game are solved.

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