With his most famous composition, Gustav Holst takes us through the imaginary spheres of space and characterizes the planets - more mythologically than astronomically. In Philip Glass' opera "The Voyage" the journey also leads into space - far beyond the horizon that Holst still considered unattainable. The selected opera excerpts raise two central questions: Stephen Hawking, the scientist, ponders the possibilities of overcoming boundaries, both physical and mental; the commander of the spaceship and the inhabitants of another star ask themselves what and who awaits them at the destination of their journey. Adventure, discovery - we wish you an exciting start into the year 2025!

Planets

Gewandhaus

Off into a new year, off into space! On New Year's Eve, the MDR Symphony Orchestra and MDR Radio Choir will embark on a musical journey to the stars. In addition to Gustav Holst's "Planets" and Philip Glass' "The Voyage", the program includes film music that will take you into the infinite expanse of space: ET, the extraterrestrial flies home with music, and fans of the legends of "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" will also get their money's worth.

EPSG:4326

ARD New Year's Eve concert

Congress Centrum Suhl

The tradition of Christmas oratorios continues in Howard Arman's composition. The Revelation of James, a gospel that was not included in the Bible, reports events surrounding the birth of Christ that do not appear in Matthew and Luke. Mary, not Jesus, is the focus of a vivid, dramatic and almost theatrical narrative. Chorales and motets from the 17th century are woven into Arman's composition and form the musical responses to the events narrated. The Leipzig audience thus encounters Howard Arman once again as a composer. But his skills as an arranger are of course not neglected in this concert either, as his versions of popular Christmas carols always provide acoustic surprises, which are not without a good dose of English humor.

Mdr-brundfunkchor

Jan 12, 2025

Planets

Dec 31, 2024

ARD New Year's Eve concert

Mdr-brundfunkchor