symphony concert08

Joseph Haydn loved surprises. And so does Markus Stenz. The long-serving Gürzenich Kapellmeister returns to the podium to lead the Gürzenich Orchestra for the first time – and remains true to himself and his love for Joseph Haydn. In keeping with the liturgical year, Stenz has chosen the “Lamentatione” symphony, into which Haydn weaves references to traditional Austrian passion plays. By contrast, William Walton's First Symphony appears to be taken straight from real life. In three stirring movements, Walton processes his stormy – and ultimately unhappy – love affair with Baroness Imma von Dörnberg and in the jubilant, extensive Finale drives away all of love’s pain and torments. Jacques Ibert chooses a more subdued idiom in his flute concerto, combining the formal means of the Baroque with 20th century sounds, including excursions into jazz. The solo flutist of the Gürzenich Orchestra, Alja Velkaverh, steps forward from within the orchestra to perform stage center at the Philharmonie!