“Splendour” could stand as the heading for Matthias Pintscher’s last composition in his “Shirim” cycle, which now receives its premiere as a complete work. As the fourth part and conclusion of his Shirim cycle, Matthias Pintscher has set the third chapter of the Song of Solomon for baritone, chorus and orchestra. In this, there is mention of splendour, the entrance of King Solomon himself, of the costliness of the treasures and robes, the shimmering gold swords of his accompanying retinue

Ľubica Čekovská has composed “Liberte” for mezzo-soprano, chorus and orchestra for the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution on 17 November 1989 in Bratislava. Recollections of the largely peaceful transition from socialism to democracy in Czechoslovakia thirty years ago are full of ambivalence for the Slovak composer.

It might seem audacious to venture to place any piece of music alongside the gigantic symphonic creations of Gustav Mahler. And yet this is the essence of the commission from the Jena Philharmonic and its Music Director Simon Gaudenz for the composer Andrea Scartazzini. A short, self-contained orchestral work has been composed to complement each of the Mahler symphonies, each relating to Mahler’s music and intellectual world.

On 22 October Manfred Trojahn celebrates his 70th birthday. Although is too early for an assessment of his life and work, Gerhard R. Koch traces some of the directions and milestones in the composer’s work.

„In mia vita da vuolp“ for soprano and saxophone and a new ensemble piece with clarinet for Donaueschingen

At the Salzburg Easter Festival, „Thérèse“ by Philipp Maintz to a libretto by Otto Katzameier receives its premiere. A multi-layered plot and its reflection in the music awaits the audience.

Songs for voice and piano are a constant thread running through Manfred Trojahn’s output. In an interview he reveals his thoughts about setting poetry to music: „to change, without damaging“.