• Fri. 19.01.
  • 8.00 p.m.
  • Bremen
    ·Die Glocke

Of earthly love and the heavenly life

1st First Night subscription concert

Works by Schumann and Mahler

Music about life with all its hopes and disappointments, abrasions and ecstasies is presented by Principal Guest Conductor Tarmo Peltokoski at the start of the new concert year, alongside Israeli soprano Chen Reiss, who made her brilliant Chamber Philharmonic debut at the ›Summer in Lesmona‹ in 2022. In ›Frauenliebe und Leben‹, Schumann uses eight of Chamisso’s poems to trace a woman’s path: her first time falling in love, the emotional rush of love, the joys of marriage and motherhood. However, the early death of her lover brings an abrupt end. In contrast, the folk song ›Der Himmel hängt voll Geigen‹ suggests a glimpse into a »heavenly life« Mahler was inspired by the text from ›Des Knaben Wunderhorn‹ for the finale of his Symphony No. 4, a score that draws an alternating cycle of bliss and doubt, ironic distance and blissful dreamlike forlornness with unusual transparency of sound. In the end, the »heavenly joys« prove to be very earthly and Mahler’s concept of paradise a radical commentary on the course of the world.

Programme

    • Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
    • ›Frauenliebe und Leben‹ for soprano and orchestra
    • Gustav Mahler (1860–1911)
    • Symphony no. 4 in G major

Conductor

Tarmo Peltokoski

»…talent of the century«, so described the Tagesspiegel Tarmo Peltokoski. This Finnish conductor was appointed ›Principal Guest Conductor‹ by the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen in January 2022 – the first conductor to hold this position.

In recent seasons, Peltokoski has debuted at many major festivals, including the Rheingau Music Festival and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, as well as in the great concert halls such as the Köln Philharmonie and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. In addition, he has given debuts with the hr-Sinfonieorchester, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the Rotterdam Philharmonic. At just 22, Peltokoski conducted his first complete Ring Cycle as well as another significant Wagner work – Tristan und Isolde – at the Eurajoki Bel Canto Festival. In the same year, he was also appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonisch Orkest, Musical and Artistic Director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Designate of the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.

In the 2022/23 season, Tarmo Peltokoski is due to conduct the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, the RSB Berlin, The Hallé, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, Göteborgs Symfoniker, San Diego Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Hollywood Bowl.

In 2023 Tarmo Peltokoski was awarded the OPUS Klassik for his recording with the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen.

In addition to piano and conducting, Peltokoski also studied composition and arranging and has a particular penchant for musical comedy and improvisation.

Soprano

Chen Reiss

This much-celebrated soprano enchants the audience with »a voice full of silvery brilliance and clarity« (Bachtrack). Israeli-born, Chen Reiss’ singing career began at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich under General Music Director Zubin Mehta. Since then, numerous engagements have taken her to renowned opera houses such as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the Teatro alla Scala and the Israeli Opera. In addition, the soprano was Resident Artist at the Wiener Staatsoper for many years and is currently Artist in Residence at the Rotterdam Philharmonisch Orkest, where she offers a broad spectrum ranging from Mozart to Korngold.

Reiss also appears regularly at international festivals, from the BBC Proms to the Salzburg Festival. She regularly works with major orchestras such as the Wiener and Münchner Philharmoniker, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Berlin, as well as with outstanding conductors including Daniel Barenboim, Daniele Gatti and Vladimir Jurowski. In December 2014, she sang at the Christmas Mass for Pope Francis, which was broadcast worldwide. With the Wiener Philharmoniker, she appeared as guest soloist at a gala concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of Suntory Hall in Tokyo. She also worked with the Berlin Philharmoniker and Sir Simon Rattle on the soundtrack to Tom Tykwer’s film ›Perfume‹. Chen Reiss has an extensive discography. Recent releases include Mahler’s 4th Symphony with Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic and Schreker’s ›Vom ewigen Leben‹ with Christoph Eschenbach and the Konzerthausorchester Berlin. After her celebrated debut at the ›Summer in Lesmona‹ 2022, this soprano now returns to the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen.

Conductor

Tarmo Peltokoski

»…talent of the century«, so described the Tagesspiegel Tarmo Peltokoski. This Finnish conductor was appointed ›Principal Guest Conductor‹ by the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen in January 2022 – the first conductor to hold this position.

In recent seasons, Peltokoski has debuted at many major festivals, including the Rheingau Music Festival and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, as well as in the great concert halls such as the Köln Philharmonie and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. In addition, he has given debuts with the hr-Sinfonieorchester, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the Rotterdam Philharmonic. At just 22, Peltokoski conducted his first complete Ring Cycle as well as another significant Wagner work – Tristan und Isolde – at the Eurajoki Bel Canto Festival. In the same year, he was also appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonisch Orkest, Musical and Artistic Director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Designate of the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.

In the 2022/23 season, Tarmo Peltokoski is due to conduct the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, the RSB Berlin, The Hallé, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, Göteborgs Symfoniker, San Diego Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Hollywood Bowl.

In 2023 Tarmo Peltokoski was awarded the OPUS Klassik for his recording with the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen.

In addition to piano and conducting, Peltokoski also studied composition and arranging and has a particular penchant for musical comedy and improvisation.