Symphony Concert

Beethoven 9

Beethoven's monumental Ninth Symphony with three choirs and a large orchestra

About the Concert

"Joy, beautiful spark of the gods, daughter of Elysium..." - do you need to say more to encourage humming along? Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is not only the famous ode "Ode to Joy" in the final movement. It is the first symphony ever in which a composer used a choir. (In our concert, in addition to the Philharmonic Choirs, it is also the Slovak Philharmonic Choir.) And with its approximately 70 minutes, it already exceeded any normal length during Beethoven's lifetime. Furthermore, it continues to impress even today in its movements without singing through an artful handling of melodies and keys. Reasons enough to look forward to a very special concert.

Program

Antonio Lotti
"Crucifixus" for choir a cappella

Paul Hindemith
"Nobilissima visione" orchestral suite

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 in D minor with the Ode "To Joy"

Contributer

Andrew Manze
Conductor
Susanne Bernhard
Soprano
Stefanie Irányi
Alto
Ilker Arcayürek
Tenor
Christof Fischesser
Bass
Jan Rozehnal
Rehearsal
Iris Geißler
Rehearsal
Slowakischer Philharmonischer Chor
Philharmonischer Chor Dresden
Dresdner Philharmonie
Programme booklet to media library

Biographies

Andrew Manze

The multi-award-winning conductor Andrew Manze not only brings boundless energy, deep musicality and warmth to the stage, but also extensive academic knowledge and years of experience as a violinist and specialist in historical performance practice. Until the summer of 2023, the likeable Briton was Chief Conductor of the NDR Radiophilharmonie in Hanover. Since 2018 he has been Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, since autumn 2024 he holds the same position with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

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Susanne Bernhard

The Munich-born soprano Susanne Bernhard made her debut in 1997 as a young up-and-coming artist in the role of Susanna in Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro" at the Prinzregententheater in Munich. After studying in her hometown, she became a member of the ensemble at the Kiel Opera House. Today, she travels the world as a concert and opera singer, appearing primarily in works by Strauss, Beethoven, Mahler and Dvořák. In 2022, she made her debut with the Berlin Philharmonic in Verdi's Requiem.

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Stefanie Irányi

The German mezzo-soprano Stefanie Irányi won prizes at the International Robert Schumann Competition in Zwickau and the German National Singing Competition in Berlin, among others. She can be heard at the most important opera houses in Italy and at the leading concert halls in Europe, for example under the baton of Asher Fisch, Jakub Hrůša, Philippe Herreweghe and Simon Rattle. In addition, appearances as a celebrated Lied interpreter and a large discography testify to the singer's artistic versatility.

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Ilker Arcayürek

Ilker Arcayürek has been praised for his “golden tenor” (Opera Now Magazine) and has established himself as “in a class of his own” (The Guardian). In addition to his commitment to the symphonic and operatic repertoire, he is a passionate lieder singer. On the concert stage, he has worked with the Collegium vocale Gent and with orchestras such as the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under conductors such as Mariss Jansons, Ivor Bolton, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Philippe Herreweghe and Riccardo Minasi.

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Christof Fischesser

Christof Fischesser was born into a musical family and got hired by Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe after winning the national singing competition in Berlin in 2000. The bass later joined Staatsoper Unter den Linden and was an ensemble member of the Opernhaus Zürich until 2015, with which he remains closely associated to this day. He can be heard internationally as Rocco in Beethoven's “Fidelio”, König Heinrich in “Lohengrin” and the Commendatore in “Don Giovanni”, among others. He is also in great demand as a concert singer.

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Jan Rozehnal

The Czech conductor Jan Rozehnal has been the choir master of the Slovak Philharmonic Choir since 2023/24, a position he previously held from 1990 to 2003. He began his career as a conductor at the South Bohemian Theater in České Budějovice and was later the conductor of the Brno Philharmonic Choir. For many years, he has also worked as a conductor and choir master in Germany.

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Iris Geißler

Iris Geißler has been conducting the Dresden Philharmonic Choir since fall 2022 and is also the musical assistant to choir director Gunter Berger and the stage manager of the Philharmonic Children's Choir. For several years, the trained pianist taught piano accompaniment and coaching at her alma mater, the University of Music "Carl Maria von Weber" in Dresden. In addition to her work with the Philharmonic Choirs, she gives piano lessons and is active as a singer in various ensembles and as a choir director for other choirs.

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Slowakischer Philharmonischer Chor

The Slovak Philharmonic Choir is a prominent representative of the Slovak cultural scene and inspires audiences throughout Europe. The ensemble is characterized by its unique technical level, the sophistication of its expression, the ideal tonal balance of the vocal groups, but also the enthusiasm, reliability and exemplary artistic discipline of the singers. Since the 2023/24 season, the choir has been led by Jan Rozehnal.

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Philharmonischer Chor Dresden

The Dresden Philharmonic Choir has been active for over 55 years, since it was founded in 1967 on the initiative of Kurt Masur. The approximately 70 singers give concerts with the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of the respective chief and guest conductors, collaborate with other choirs and orchestras and perform a cappella programs in and outside of Dresden. Iris Geißler has led the ensemble since October 2022.

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Dresdner Philharmonie

Top Class!

That is the claim of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra stands for concerts at the highest artistic level, musical education for all ages and looking beyond the musical horizon. Guest performances on almost every continent and collaborations with guests from all over the world have established the reputation of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra in the international classical music world.  

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