Clarinetist Alexandra Kehrle has a very special matinee concert coming up on April 12 with violinist Avigail Bushakevitz, cellist Taneli Turunen, and pianist Florian von Radowitz. The programme features the “Quartet for the End of Time: Composer Olivier Messiaen and clarinetist Henri Akoka had been taken prisoner of war together and were awaiting transport to a German camp.

“I am moved by the story of how clarinetist Henri Akoka premiered the solo piece ‘Abyss of the Birds’ in 1940 in a field in France, surrounded by thousands of fellow prisoners. There are moments in the piece that are free of any rhythmic structure, and it feels as though space and time dissolve within it. I also feel as though at one point everything collapses, and in the end, the violin solo remains. Here, Messiaen writes ‘Avec amour.’ It is very moving to me how, amidst all this darkness, something so beautiful and pure remains. He writes, ‘the hymn of praise is love itself.’ I feel great reverence for this piece and find it wonderful that the actor Stephan Szász reads texts that fit it perfectly.”

Avigail Bushakevitz of the first violins is looking forward to the concert on March 17 & 19 for several reasons, when Iván Fischer will conduct the KHO first in one of Bach’s overtures and then in his composition “Dance Suite – In Memoriam J.S. Bach”:

“Iván Fischer was the chief conductor when I joined the orchestra. One of my most memorable experiences at the Konzerthaus was Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with him. I played it there for the first time, since I didn’t grow up in Germany, where there’s a long tradition of performing the Passions every year. That was unforgettable.

Iván Fischer has been a huge inspiration to me from the very beginning. His ideas are original in the truest sense of the word—they come entirely from him. I’m really looking forward to his “Dance Suite.” I studied with our soloist, Diana Tishchenko. She started a great career, and I’m looking forward to seeing her again after so long. We’ll also be performing Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony. It’s simply wonderful music. Dvořák takes these very folksy melodies and turns them into a work that feels to me like one of the great Romantic symphonies. I love this piece and am happy to return to the orchestra from parental leave to such a magnificent programme!” 

Eleonora Gelmetti is looking forward to the third concert “Berlin Tracks” on April 27: “As a social media manager, I’ve already been heavily involved in  our new series, so I might be a little biased. But also, I generally like music that I can’t immediatel categorize. Derya Yildirim is a good case in point - she plays the bağlama, sings and has been performing time and again for years with Ensemble Resonanz. The fact that she’s now on stage alongside Avi Avital and his baroque mandolin as well makes me curious.”