Mahler Chamber Orchestra / François-Xavier Roth

Regardless of which orchestra he is conducting, Roth’s musical creed is always the same: »Get rid of the idea that sophisticated culture only stands for a fragment of society.« The charismatic conductor would much rather speak to a wider public. Thus his programme in Hamburg not only covers many different periods, it also has a few surprises in store as far as instrumentation is concerned.

In Haydn’s symphony »The Philosopher«, for instance, two cor anglais contribute to the dignified mood, while the »Drum Roll« Symphony already reveals its special feature in the title. Between the two works lie the expressive Double Concerto for two (!) String Orchestras, Piano and Timpani by Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů and György Ligeti’s »Hamburgisches Konzert«, in which the composer experiments with alternative tuning systems. For the latter work, the orchestra is joined by Stefan Dohr, solo horn player of the Berlin Philharmonic.