PHILHARMONIE

Your review: “Liebestod” Impressions post concert and beyond

Last Saturday, 12 March 2011, I had the singular pleasure to attend a concert at the Philharmonie with a friend. We were both looking forward to the experience. A string orchestra sounding out in the ultimate surroundings: What more can one ask for?

On a quite personal level, I felt most open-minded, perhaps slightly nervous even, about the second act. Modern music? But such brand-new modern music!!? I held my breath. In retrospect, I am glad that I did not “expect” anything but a new experience. The subject being dealt with is timeless and usually a sure runner with any audience. More

Meet the artist – Michel van der Aa: “I’m an art omnivore!”

Michel van der Aa just finished his latest project Up-close, which will premiere in a few days in Stockholm. I had a little chat with Michel, talking about his inspiration, his music tastes, contemporary arts and, of course, Up-close.  More

Up-close: Michel van der Aa’s latest multimedia project

“I wanted a baroque openness without overly romantic melodies, but with long chords and physical virtuosic passages, somewhat like free jazz.” (Michel van der Aa)

Michel van der Aa’s Up-close combines cellist Sol Gabetta, string orchestra and film for a European tour (11-20 March). The latest work by van der Aa was commissioned by the ECHO (European Concert Hall Organization) and will have its world premiere the day before being perfomed at the Philharmonie on March 12th.

The young cellist Gabetta was at the top of the list of both Van der Aa and Amsterdam Sinfonietta. “She is someone who More