Classic Reloaded” festival

Beethoven Septet and “Classic Reloaded” festival
by Heike Haberl The magnificent Beethoven Septet, founded two years ago, was a guest at the Ingolstadt Concert Association in a very rare, unusual line-up and with works that were all “out of the ordinary” in their own special way. The thematic focus of the second subscription concert was clearly on humor and joie de vivre. Seven top soloists, who all belong to the absolute elite on their instruments – Sebastian Manz, clarinet, Felix Klieser, horn, Dag Jensen, bassoon, Franziska Hölscher, violin, Wen Xiao Zheng, viola, Lionel Martin, cello and Dominik Wagner, double bass – played at the highest level and with immense charm, wit and great ecstasy the “Serenata in vano” by the Danish late Romantic composer Carl Nielsen, the string trio by the French pianist and composer Jean Françaix from 1933 – and after the interval the famous Beethoven septet, his most frequently performed work during the master’s lifetime. Enthusiastic applause and extensive cheers followed the brilliantly triumphant Presto finale, which was repeated at increased speed as a rapid encore after a brief announcement by clarinettist Sebastian Manz, who led the audience through the program in a polished and eloquent manner. A performance full of sparkling finesse and witty energy – undoubtedly a great moment in septet playing and large-scale chamber music in general.

Following her two concerts in Eichstätt under the motto “Musikzeit gespiegelt”, pianist Masha Dimitrieva has now developed a new festival for Ingolstadt together with the Ingolstadt Department of Culture: “Classic Reloaded” is the name of it – and is intended to give contemporary composers from the region such as Heinz Winbeck, Susan Oswell and Igor Loboda a fitting platform. Next Thursday, November 23, young artists from Ingolstadt and the surrounding area will showcase their skills on stage at Kulturzentrum neun alongside established musicians and experienced soloists. The artists are: Luise Künzl (born 2005), piano and Aenne Forster (born 2007), piano; violinist Tassilo Probst (born 2002), who is already on the rise internationally, plays violin in a duo with pianist Dmitry Sin; string quartet Kontra.Punkt, which consists of established musicians and long-standing members of the Georgian Chamber Orchestra: Igor Loboda, violin, Vadim Makhovskyi, viola, Alexei Chubini, violin and Nikoloz Schamugia, cello. “Classic Reloaded” – the new music festival spanning generations and epochs will take place next Thursday, November 23, starting at 6 p.m. with three blocks at Kulturzentrum neun. Admission is free.