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“.

The clarinet as representative of the human voice, chorus and symphony orchestra as sounding spaces: with these resources Miroslav Srnka is on the search for truth in our digital world.

„How to respond to Clara Schumann?“ That is the question for fellow composer Charlotte Seither, 146 years younger than Schumann. There’s no question of looking backwards for her.