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Elbphilharmonie Summer from 15 to 31 August Hamburg, 20 March 2025: The Elbphilharmonie is once again set to open its doors for two weeks this summer, for a diverse and refreshing programme of classical, jazz, pop and world music. Guest orchestras from Norway, Australia and China take the stage, while Seun Kuti brings his legendary Nigerian Afrobeat ensemble to Hamburg. The Armenian jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan showcases his unique style, and the Mostar Sevdah Reunion ensemble presents »Blues from the Balkans«. The programme also features a major new project by Rufus Wainwright, a semi-staged performance of Mozart’s »The Magic Flute«, and appearances by two of the world’s finest youth orchestras – the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester and the Concertgebouworkest Young. Tickets for the 13 concerts of the »Elbphilharmonie Summer« festival go on sale on Thursday, 27 March, at 11:00 (CET). Tickets are available at www.elbphilharmonie.de. Bruce Liu rose to international fame in 2021 when he won first prize at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. Now, accompanied by the China NCPA Orchestra under the baton of the South Korean conductor Myung-Whun Chung, he is set to perform Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major at the Elbphilharmonie. The evening concludes with Sergei Prokofiev’s stirring suites from the ballet »Romeo and Juliet« (15 August). As the northernmost professional orchestra in the world, the Arctic Philharmonic is based in the Norwegian cities of Bodø and Tromsø, beyond the Arctic Circle. Its »Arctic« programme, presented at the Elbphilharmonie alongside violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing, features Nordic masterpieces by Edvard Grieg and Jean Sibelius as well as new film music and lighting effects that transport the audience on a mesmerising journey to the polar realms (20 August). Bringing a touch of Australian charm to Hamburg, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents a captivating programme that includes Modest Mussorgsky’s beloved »Pictures at an Exhibition«, alongside a new work for didgeridoo and orchestra (28 August). Meanwhile, the Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski, Principal Guest Conductor of The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, has been passionate about Mozart since first experiencing »The Magic Flute« at age eleven. Leading a handpicked line-up of soloists – including Elsa Dreisig, Mauro Peter and Kathryn Lewek – he now conducts a semi-staged performance of the masterpiece (29 August). Full of youth, passion and talent, the Concertgebouworkest Young brings together exceptional musicians aged 14 to 17 from all over Europe. Under the baton of the acclaimed conductor Elim Chan, the youth orchestra presents Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto (featuring soloist Julia Hagen) and Shostakovich’s thrilling Fifth Symphony at the Elbphilharmonie (21 August). The Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester is one of the finest young orchestras in the world, often serving as a launchpad for stellar careers. A prime example is the violinist Renaud Capuçon, who was personally selected by the orchestra’s founder, Claudio Abbado, in 1997 and quickly rose to prominence as a soloist and chamber musician. As part of the »Elbphilharmonie Summer«, Capuçon returns to perform with his former orchestra under the direction of Manfred Honeck in the Grand Hall (27 August). Rufus Wainwright is not only a remarkably versatile pop musician but also a composer of soundtracks, operas and musicals. His latest grand project, »Dream Requiem«, conceived during the pandemic, premiered in Paris and is now coming to the Elbphilharmonie. This performance features the Symphoniker Hamburg, the Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach-Chor Hamburg, and the grand dame of French film Isabelle Huppert (22/23 August). Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti revolutionised music in the late 1960s, blending funk, jazz and African polyrhythms into the soundtrack of a pan-African liberation movement. Since his passing in 1997, his youngest son Seun Kuti has led his iconic band, Egypt 80. On 16 August, the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall will be set abuzz with the infectious, revolutionary energy of Afrobeat. Hailed by Rolling Stone as »one of the best rappers alive«, Noname has made a lasting impact with her three studio albums, consistently earning top spots on critics’ end-of-year lists. Born Fatimah Nyeema Warner in Chicago in 1991, she fuses jazz, soul and hip-hop to create a timeless sound. Noname has curated an exclusive set with a full ensemble for her Elbphilharmonie debut (17 August). The third edition of the Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy concludes with a superb final concert. With world-class instructors like the saxophonist Donny McCaslin, drummer Allison Miller and pianists Gerald Clayton and Django Bates, jazz enthusiasts are in for a treat. Adding to the excitement are the academy’s rising stars – talented musicians whose names are sure to become well-known after this evening (24 August). Bosnia and Herzegovina’s traditional folk music, »Sevdah«, takes centre stage with the Mostar Sevdah Reunion ensemble. Featuring expressive violin, rhythmic guitars, and a powerful lead singer, the group has established itself over the years as a true ambassador of the genre (30 August). Meanwhile, the pianist Tigran Hamasyan continues his journey of musical reinvention. Having started with classical piano before transitioning to jazz, he found success in Armenia and beyond. Now, he brings his programme »The Bird of a Thousand Voices« to Hamburg – a fascinating interpretation of an ancient Armenian legend all about courage and forgiveness, self-discovery, and rebirth (31 August). |
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