Sofia Gubaidulina (*1931)
Revue music for symphony orchestra and jazz band (1976/1995/2002) FR
Michael Wertmüller (*1966)
Shlimazl for Symphony Orchestra and Big Band (2023) FR
Commissioned by the Basel Sinfonietta and the Ruhrtriennale
With financial support from Pro Helvetia and the Fondation SUISA
Simon Steen-Andersen (*1976)
TRIO for orchestra, big band, choir and video (2019) FR
Titus Engel, conductor
NDR Bigband
Chorwerk Ruhr
The Basel Sinfonietta opens its first season under its new Principal Conductor Titus Engel with a brilliant performance, together with the NDR Bigband and the Chorwerk Ruhr. The program, with which the orchestra previously presented itself as part of the Ruhrtriennale's major arts festival, features captivating, large-scale music that explores the tension between contemporary classical music and jazz.
Big bands and symphony orchestras are like penguins and polar bears – they never meet. Almost never!
For the Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, the appeal lies precisely in the strangeness of these two worlds: her ghostly ironic "revue music" is like the view of a Tatar mystic on the aesthetics of Hollywood film music of the 1970s.
Whether Swiss composer and jazz musician Michael Wertmüller is working with a classical ensemble or a big band makes no significant difference to him, as he is rooted in both worlds. In his work for symphony orchestra and big band, commissioned by the Basel Sinfonietta, he brings these worlds together – and proves how complexity and coolness can be effortlessly combined.
The Danish composer Simon Steen-Andersen, closely associated with the Basel Sinfonietta, combines the various ensembles in his "Trio" for symphony orchestra, vocal ensemble, and big band with historical audiovisual material to create a fantastical time machine. He places both contemporary ensembles and those from the SWR archive, which are linked via video, at the service of his exuberant playfulness.
Concert introduction 6:15 pm
The Pfaffenholz sports centre in St. Louis is directly accessible from the centre of Basel by tram.
In cooperation with the Ruhrtriennale and NDR.
With financial support from Pro Helvetia and the Fondation SUISA.
This concert in Saint-Louis is a collaboration with Musica Festival Strasbourg.
French premiere.
Program subject to change.
Program booklet
PFAFFENHOLZ SPORTS CENTRE, SAINT-LOUIS (F)
Biographies of the contributors
NDR Big Band
The soloists' band
For over 40 years, the NDR Bigband has been a leading jazz orchestra. Originating from the roots of a purely radio ensemble, it has evolved since the 1970s into a band that not only performs a comprehensive jazz repertoire but also sets its own trends, expands genre boundaries, collaborates with world-renowned artists, and brings them to concerts throughout Northern Germany.
The NDR Bigband thrives on strong personalities with distinctive biographies, strengths, preferences, and dislikes. Each musician is a master of their craft – and no two are alike. But they all agree on one thing: what matters is the sound, the groove, the melody – the music itself. The band is passionate about it wholeheartedly – and that passion is palpable whenever they take the stage.
As an ensemble of public broadcasting, the NDR Bigband's work encompasses a range of priorities: On the one hand, it is dedicated to preserving the musical heritage of a century of jazz history; on the other, it strives to stay abreast of current musical developments.
Whether it calls for powerful brass sections or delicate sounds, intricate Latin American rhythms or driving beats, there is hardly a style or crossover intersection that the NDR Bigband hasn't explored and embraced – not to mention the numerous programs composed specifically for the band.
Since autumn 2016, the NDR Bigband has had a new principal conductor: the Norwegian saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Geir Lysne. He embodies an unwavering commitment to musical development, possessing both the drive to push this forward with the highest standards and the ability, through his friendly and relaxed manner, to give the musicians the necessary space to shape this path as a collaborative process. Geir Lysne succeeds Jörg Achim Keller, who will continue to accompany the NDR Bigband as principal guest conductor.
Numerous invitations to festivals and international tours, as well as several releases and over 60 recordings in recent years, speak for themselves. With an average of around 20 projects and more than 60 concerts annually, the schedule is tight and precise: one day rehearsal, the next recording for a CD, then a concert tour, followed by the next program with fresh ears.
Anyone who performs at this level also knows how important it is to inspire young musicians with a passion for jazz as early as possible and to support their development. That's why family concerts are not only a regular part of the NDR Bigband's repertoire, but the band also develops special programs for children. Direct interaction with young musicians is also important to the band. Every year, they visit school big bands throughout Northern Germany to perform a joint concert with them – usually in school auditoriums or gymnasiums. In addition, the NDR Bigband sponsors competitions for young musicians and collaborates with the jazz department of the Hamburg School of Music and Theatre.
CHORWERK RUHR
CHORWERK RUHR is one of the most important chamber choirs in Germany. Founded in 1999, this vocal ensemble has become a cornerstone of vocal art in German-speaking countries.
The choir's exceptional quality lies in its ability to meet the specific demands of solo parts while achieving a perfect blend of ensemble sound. In November 2011, the multi-award-winning conductor Florian Helgath assumed the artistic directorship. He sees a key focus of his work in exploring new choral music in relation to traditional musical forms, thus allowing it to resonate freshly with the listener against the backdrop of a rich musical history. With this first-rate ensemble, he performs choral music at the highest level.
CHORWERK RUHR has established itself as one of the Ruhr metropolitan region's most prestigious artistic brands and as one of Germany's leading choirs. In concerts with renowned conductors and orchestras, CHORWERK RUHR consistently delights its audiences with music from all eras up to the present day, garnering outstanding reviews.
The discography of this excellent ensemble includes, among others, the CD "Bodenschätze" (Treasures of the Earth), which, together with the Capella de la Torre, presents music from the Florilegium Portense; and a CD of Mozart's Requiem completed by Michael Ostrzyga – together with Concerto Köln. The ensemble received the German Record Critics' Award in August 2022 for the CD "Carré und Chorbuch" (Carré and Choral Book).
Frequent recordings by WDR and DLF (Deutschlandfunk) and participation in national and international music festivals reflect its popularity.
CHORWERK RUHR collaborates annually in a special way with the Ruhrtriennale.
CHORWERK RUHR is part of Kultur Ruhr GmbH, funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
