Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen
Frauenchor der Universität Tübingen
Charles Koechlin 'En Mer la Nuit' – symphonic poem
Maurice Ravel 'Daphnis et Chloé', Suite No. 2
Claude Debussy Trois Nocturnes
Maurice Ravel 'La valse'. Poème chorégraphique for orchestra (with extensive percussion, Celesta, and 2 harps)
Charles Koechlin was a lush orchestrator with an original language: he left behind over two hundred works and tried his hand at almost all genres. Particularly noteworthy is the collection of piano pieces and the many symphonic poems, in which 'En Mer la Nuit' based on Heinrich Heine is included. This great cycle, begun in 1899 and completed in 1940, is considered the crowning achievement of his symphonic oeuvre.
The ballet 'Daphnis et Chloé' is not only Maurice Ravel's longest opus but, in the words of Igor Stravinsky, also "one of the most beautiful products in all of French music" - and very elaborate: 15 different percussion instruments, a mixed choir on and off stage, and a wind machine are required for the two full-length suites. In the 2nd Suite performed today, the most famous section of the ballet, 'Lever du jour' (Daybreak), features the piccolo and solo violins sensually rising above a muted, murmuring sound carpet of flutes and strings. The special charm of Ravel's 'La Valse' arises from the continuous interplay between orchestral and chamber music structures, as well as the breathtaking final point postponed until literally the last note.
With the use of a female choir in the final part, 'Sirènes', the vocal-symphonic triptych 'Trois Nocturnes' by Claude Debussy merges instrumental and vocal elements into a mutually dependent unity for the first time. The mysterious and seductive atmosphere of the wordless vocalizing female choir is prepared in the 'Fêtes' with the refined use of percussion, creating bright, ghostly effects, and completes the connection between the natural and the supernatural of the 'Nocturnes'.
The conductor Ariane Matiakh is characterized by versatility, musicality, and technical precision, but above all by the naturalness and infectious passion. As the daughter of two opera singers, the Frenchwoman grew up in an extremely musical environment and learned to play the piano at an early age. She studied orchestral conducting in Vienna. As a guest conductor, she is invited by leading ensembles across Europe, such as the Orchestre de Paris, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, or the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
The Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen (WPR) has developed into an internationally active symphony orchestra with members from approximately fifteen nations since its founding in 1945.
Master Concert Great Cycle
Ariane Matiakh
Conductor
Concert introduction at 7:15 PM in the 'Aktionen 1' room