London Philharmonic Orchestra - Kurt Masur

Musikfest Berlin will be opened by the German first performance of a piece by Sofia Gubaidulina, in a programme that juxtaposes her work with Beethoven’s Ninth and thus introduces the future concept of an encounter between tradition and international topicality. Gubaidulina’s “The Light of the End” – first performed to great acclaim in Boston under the baton of Kurt Masur – is a moving hymn for full orchestra. The Russian composer will speak about her works before the beginning of the concert.

“My ideal of the relationship between tradition and new compositional means is one where the artist skilfully masters all compositional means – traditional as well as new – but in such a way that it appears as if he weren’t paying any particular heed to either.”
Sofia Gubaidulina

Concert Programme

Sofia Gubaidulina
The Light of the End for orchestra (2003)
German Première

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 in D minor op. 125

Cast

Melanie Diener soprano
Carolin Masur alto
Thomas Studebaker tenor
Hanno Müller-Brachmann bass baritone

Rundfunkchor Berlin
Sigurd Brauns choir director

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Kurt Masur copductor