• Fri. 04.01.
  • 8.00 p.m.
  • Bremen
    ·Die ›Kammer-Philharmonie‹
    ·Gesamtschule Bremen-Ost

Works by Gershwin and Rantala

Public CD recording

Programme

    • Iiro Rantala (*1970)
    • F minor Tangonator (Arr.: Oliver Groenewald)
    • George Gershwin (1898–1937)
    • Porgy and Bess Suite (arr. :Jascha Heifetz / Oliver Groenewald)
    • George Gershwin
    • Rhapsody in Blue (arr.: Ferde Grofé) for piano and orchestra
    • Iiro Rantala
    • Final Fantasy (arr.: Jaakko Kuusisto) for piano and orchestra
    • Iiro Rantala
    • Hard Score (arr.: Teppo Ali-Mattila / Oliver Groenewald)
    • Iiro Rantala
    • Anyone with a Heart (arr.: Teppo Ali-Mattila / Oliver Groenewald)
    • Iiro Rantala
    • Freedom (arr.: Teppo Ali-Mattila / Oliver Groenewald)

Conductor

Jonathan Bloxham

Born in 1988, the conductor Jonathan Bloxham is an unusually versatile artist whose »innate musicality« is very much esteemed. Alongside his »deep knowledge and understand of the symphonic repertoire« (Paavo Järvi), Bloxham also has great passion for contemporary music.

This British artist began his musical career as a cellist. Having already won several awards, he gave his solo concerto debut in the Philharmonie Berlin. In his role as conductor, he works with well-known ensembles, most recently with the City Chamber Orchestra Hong Kong, with the RTE Concert Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and, as cover conductor with the New York Philharmonic. Until 2018, Bloxham was also Assistant Conductor with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. In Summer 2019 he assisted in Glyndebourne with “Rusalka” and in 2020 he will be directing productions of “Madame Butterfly”. Bloxham is also Founder and Artistic Director of the Northern Chords Festivals.

This season, debuts will see him with The Philharmonic Orchestra of Luxemburg and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Bloxham is a founder member of the Busch Trio, with whom he performed until 2015 and during which time it won several awards. He continues to play chamber music with some of the most renowned musicians. Many concertgoers local to Bremen will remember Bloxham’s thrilling debut at the 2018 ›Summer in Lesmona‹ for many years to come.

Piano

Iiro Rantala

This multiple award-winning pianist, Born in 1970, is considered »Finland’s most internationally renowned jazz musician« (Jazz Finland). As a »natural phenomenon on the keys« (Jazzthing) Iiro Rantala is a singular master of his instrument, able to expertly combine virtuosity with intelligence, emotion and humour.

Rantala studied Jazz Piano at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, as well as classical piano at the Manhattan School of Music. In his home country, he is a superstar and musical ambassador with his own television programme. However, this excellent all-rounder is well-known far beyond the borders of Scandinavia, having won an ›Echo Jazz‹ in the category ›Best International Pianist‹. His very own Trio Töykeät, with whom he also played until 2006, has given 2300 concerts in over 40 countries and with his surprising ideas, has turned many genres – particularly the tango – completely upside down.

In addition, Rantala has composed for numerous theatre pieces, musicals and feature films and since 2011 has been at the helm of the Jazz Piano Festival in Kapsäkki. Alongside his work for fim, television, radio and also as solo artist, Rantala has also produced several great albums; the album ›Lost Heroes‹ released in 2011 was celebrated by the Süddeutsche Zeitung as a »Masterpiece« and the German Record Critics’ Award was only one of several prestigious awards it received. The Finn regularly performs with the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen and never fails to amaze his audience.

Conductor

Jonathan Bloxham

Born in 1988, the conductor Jonathan Bloxham is an unusually versatile artist whose »innate musicality« is very much esteemed. Alongside his »deep knowledge and understand of the symphonic repertoire« (Paavo Järvi), Bloxham also has great passion for contemporary music.

This British artist began his musical career as a cellist. Having already won several awards, he gave his solo concerto debut in the Philharmonie Berlin. In his role as conductor, he works with well-known ensembles, most recently with the City Chamber Orchestra Hong Kong, with the RTE Concert Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and, as cover conductor with the New York Philharmonic. Until 2018, Bloxham was also Assistant Conductor with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. In Summer 2019 he assisted in Glyndebourne with “Rusalka” and in 2020 he will be directing productions of “Madame Butterfly”. Bloxham is also Founder and Artistic Director of the Northern Chords Festivals.

This season, debuts will see him with The Philharmonic Orchestra of Luxemburg and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Bloxham is a founder member of the Busch Trio, with whom he performed until 2015 and during which time it won several awards. He continues to play chamber music with some of the most renowned musicians. Many concertgoers local to Bremen will remember Bloxham’s thrilling debut at the 2018 ›Summer in Lesmona‹ for many years to come.