Jörg Widmann & NSO II
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PROGRAM
Jörg Widmann: Babylon-Suite
Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op.107, Reformation
INFO
Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, composed to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Reformation, imbues the work with a deep religious atmosphere, particularly in the fourth movement, which is based on Martin Luther's hymn Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott. This hymn, with its folk-like qualities, adds a strong sense of spiritual reverence. Beyond the religious theme, Mendelssohn's signature gift for beautiful, song-like melodies, combined with his bright and cheerful personality, brings an approachable and heartwarming charm to the piece.
Babylon-Suite is drawn from Jörg Widmann's 2012 opera Babylon, set in a modern metropolis that mirrors the ancient Babylonian kingdom. The opera weaves together diverse cultural and religious elements, and Rihm distills these into a colorful and expressive orchestral suite. Rich in musical textures, it also features lyrical, captivating melodies. The composer himself will conduct the performance, ensuring an authentic and faithful interpretation of this remarkable work.
ARTISTS
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Jörg Widmann, conductor
National Symphony Orchestra
conductor／Jörg Widmann
Jörg Widmann is one of the most remarkable and versatile artists of his generation. From 2026 onwards, he will assume the position of Artistic Director of the Lucerne Festival Academy, which has been a central pillar in the field of contemporary music within the festival since its founding by Pierre Boulez in 2004. In the 2025/26 season, Jörg Widmann will be performing worldwide in all his facets as clarinettist, conductor and composer, including his third season as Principal Guest Conductor of the NDR Radiophilharmonie. He is also Associate Conductor of Münchener Kammerorchester and Artistic Partner of Sinfonietta Riga.
Following important engagements with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España, one of the main focuses of the 2025/26 season will be on the United States: he will conduct the Cleveland Orchestra for the first time alongside the Atlanta Symphony and Detroit Symphony orchestras. Further guest conducting appearances see him work with Oslo Philharmonic, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Radio Filharmonisch Orkest, National Symphony Orchestra Taiwan, Budapest Festival Orchestra and Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. In his capacity as Associate Conductor, he will tour South America with Münchener Kammerorchester.
A highlight in February 2026 will be Olga Neuwirth's clarinet concerto Zones of Blue, dedicated to Jörg Widmann, which he will premiere with the Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio and Sir Simon Rattle. Another facet will be the world premiere of Jörg Widmann's new composition Jupiter-Etüde as part of the Mozart Festival in Würzburg in June 2026.