Klavierfestival Ruhr: From Lang Lang to Stockhausen
Tickets for the 2008-edition of the Klavierfestival Ruhr are now officially on sale. Since the 26th of January, fans of Piano music in all different shapes and sizes can choose from a mouthwatering program and some of the finest performers of their trade: The Klavierfestival Ruhr has been known as the biggest Festival of its sort and gained a reputation for combining the unusual event locations of its industrially influenced heartland and ambitious concepts with the traditions and serious ambiance of a big classical music event. This year's version, will have no less than three thematic focal points: China, Schubert and the 20th anniversary of the Klavierfestival Ruhr itself. The bill for 2008 includes highlights from all corners of the Piano world: Lang Lang, Martha Argerich, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Alfred Brendel, Rudolf Buchbinder, Chick Corea, Nelson Freire, Pavel Gililov, Marc-André Hamelin, Graham Johnson, das Klavierduo Labèque, Lang Lang, Yundi Li, Radu Lupu, Gabriela Montero, Oleg Maisenberg, András Schiff, Grigory Sokolov, Andreas Staier, Martin Stadtfeld und Krystian Zimerman – the list goes on.
The inclusion of Lang Lang may seem obvious with regards to the China-aspect, but it comes even more naturally to the Klavierfestival Ruhr, which has virtually single-handedly ensured his popularity in Germany (visitors to previous editions will surely remember the way in which he brought audiences to complete ecstacy). This year, Lang Lang will return the favour and play a total of four concerts, two of which in combination with his equally renowned colleague Daniel Barenboim and the other two premiering Tan Dun's „Concert for Piano, Percussion and Orchestra“. This concert can also be regarded as a belated birthday serenade to Tan Dun, who recently turned 50.
Several concerts, lectures and Lieder-cycles will pay tribute to Franz Schubert and continue the tradition of nominating one of the great classical composers at the Klavierfestival Ruhr. This, however, is not to say that contemporary composition will have no relevance: The Klavierfestival will commemorate Elliott Carter, Olivier Messiaen and Karlheinz Stockhausen and celebrate the 80th anniversary of Paul Kuhn and Leon Fleisher.
The status of the Klavierfestival Ruhr also means that it will have to be stage for some sad announcements: After decades in the limelight, the Alban Berg Quartet will say godbye to the stage – with a little help from Elisabeth Leonskaja to ease the pain.
Homepage: Klavierfestival Ruhr
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