“The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
RHINE
2019
DUDOK QUARTET A er comple ng their studies with dis nc on at the Dutch String Quartet Academy in 2013, the Quartet started to have success at interna onal compe ons and to be recognized as one of the most promising young European string quartets of the year. In 2014, they were awarded the Kersjes Prize for their excep onal talent in the Dutch chamber music scene. The Quartet was also laureate and winner of two special prizes during the 7th Interna onal String Quartet Compe on 2013 à Bordeaux and won 1st place at both the 1st Interna onal String Quartet Compe on 2011 in Radom (Poland) and the 27th Charles Hennen Interna onal Chamber Music Compe - on 2012. In 2012, they received 2nd place at the 6th Joseph Joachim Interna onal Chamber Music Compe on in Weimar (Germany). The members of the quartet first met in the Dutch street sym- phony orchestra “Riccio ”. From 2009 un l 2011, they stu- died with the Alban Berg Quartet at the School of Music in Cologne, then to study with Marc Danel at the Dutch String Quartet Academy. During the same period, the quartet was coached intensively by Eberhard Feltz, Peter Cropper (Lindsay Quartet), Luc-Marie Aguera (Quatuor Ysaÿe) and Stefan Metz. Many well-known contemporary classical composers such as Kaija Saariaho, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Calliope Tsou- paki and Max Knigge also worked with the quartet. In 2014, the Quartet signed on for several recordings with Resonus Classics, the world’s first solely digital classical music label. They performed with many renowned guest musicians such as Pieter Wispelwey, Dmitri Ferschtman, Quirine Viersen, Hannes Minnaar and Mikhail Zemtsov. The musicians have also performed at many pres gious fes vals and performed con- certs at every major concert hall in the Netherlands, as well as venues in France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus. The quartet took its name from Willem Marinus Dudok (1884 – 1974) who was a famous Dutch architect and a great lover of music. He came from a musical family and composed music in his spare me. “I owe more to composers than I owe to any architect”, he wrote. “I feel deeply the common core of music and architecture; a er all, they both derive their value from the right propor ons.”
NATHAN QUARTET The Nathan Quartet (Dana Anka, Maja Hunziker, Ro- switha Killian, Arne-Chris an Pelz) was founded in Ham- burg and is firmly anchored in the musical life of the Hansea c city. Since 2005, the Nathan Quartet has been organizing two concert series of its own: in Ham- burg's Laeiszhalle and in Scala Basel. With five concerts in the season, the Nathan Quartet shows its unique con nuity in the concert ac vity, always featuring spe- cial programs. The fresh and lively musical style of the ensemble is characterized by a musical commitment to the con nu- ous development of the works for the concerts in Basel and Hamburg. The Quartet followed masterclasses with the Amadeus Quartet and the Borodin Quartet, thus developing a large and varied quartet repertoire. One focus of the quartet work is the performance of modern and contemporary composi ons, which are carefully selected according to musical content. These are works by famous composers of the 20th century such as Kurtág, Lige , Shostakovich, Bartók and Lera Auerbach as well as by contemporary composers who find a podium through the composi ons commissioned by the Nathan Quartet . The Nathan Quartet is the ini ator of chamber music highlights in the concert life of Hamburg and Basel. The four musicians strive to create many inspiring moments and shared musical experiences, as they are possible in the atmosphere of a concert hall in front of a music- interested audience.
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PIANIST MARTIN IVANOV Born in 1990 to a Bulgarian family of musicians, Mar n Ivanov is quickly establishing himself as an outstanding and cap va ng pianist. He began playing piano in 1994 with his mother, and graduated the Na onal Arts School of Ruse in 2009. He par cipated in over 50 piano com- pe ons in Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Russia, Spain and the USA, with huge success at each one of them. In 2008, Mar n was awarded the prize Ruse XXI Century (Bulgaria) for extraordinary accomplishments in music. In 2009, he began studying with Prof. Maisenberg at the Uni- versity for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and later with Prof. Stevan Vladar. Mar n has given concerts at fes vals in Bulgaria, Austria, Spain, Holland, the USA, France, Italy and Romania. In 2012 he was invited to play at the Life Ball Vienna charity event in front of Hollywood stars and famous singers. ORGANIST DANIEL MAURER Daniel Maurer studied in Paris with Jean Langlais, who dedicated one of his organ composi ons (“Noël N ° 3 avec varia ons”) to him in 1979. He accompanied Langlais regularly on tours as an assistant and played several concerts for four hands and four feet with him. Daniel also studied with André Marchal, Marie-Claire Alain, Guy Bovet and Lionel Rogg. In 1982 he won the Premier Prix d'Honneur at the Interna onal Compe on in Paris, as well as the Premier Prix d'orgue at the Conservatoire Na onal Supérieur de Musique in Paris. Daniel Maurer is a tu- lar organist at the J.A. Silbermann organ of the St. Thomas church in Strasbourg. He teaches as a professor of organ and improvisa on at the Conservatoire and at the Académie Supérieure de Musique in Strasbourg. STUTTGART STRING QUARTET
Stefan Balle (1st violin) was born in Stu gart in 1966 and has been first violinist of the Stu gart Philharmonic since 1996. He studied with Prof. Lukas David in Detmold and with Prof. Tibor Varga in Sion, for whom he also worked as an assistant. In addi on to chamber music train- ing with Christoph Poppen (Cherubini Quartet), he also studied in the master class of Young-Uck Kim (Beaux Arts Trio). In 1989, Stefan found- ed the Arensky Trio, with which he won numerous prizes and awards during compe ons. He performed as a chamber musician in various ensembles and, as a soloist, performed at fes vals in Switzerland, in the south of France and South America. Julius Calvelli-Adorno (2. Violin) received his first violin lessons at the age of six and by the age of eleven, he had begun his musical career in the Taunus string orchestra, successful at the Würzburg orchestra compe on in 1986. He studied violin at the Hochschule für Musik Det- mold. Julius devoted himself intensively to piano trios and string quartets, with mentors like the Opus 8 trio, the Cherubini and the Vogler Quartets. Between 1991 and 1998, he was ac ve as a member of the Detmold Chamber Orchestra, mainly as voice guide of the second violin and concertmaster. A er working at the Staatstheater Kassel, at the Städ schen Bühnen Osnabrück and at the Münchener Kammerorches- ter, Julius Calvelli-Adorno joined the Stu gart Philharmonic (March 2000). As a sought-a er chamber musician and commi ed educator, he regularly takes part in various ensembles and fes vals in Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, the USA and Japan. Mar n Höfler (viola) studied violin and viola at the Freiburger Musikhochschule and the Amadeus Quartet in Cologne. With the Spohr Quartet, which was founded in 1984, he won first place at the Freiburg University Compe on in 1985. This ensemble not only represented the ARD at the “Interna onale Musiktage” in Salzburg in 1986, but also performed numerous concerts and broadcasts for various ins tu- ons. As an orchestral musician, he has played with the SWR-Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, the baroque orchestra Collegium Aureum in Cologne, the Ensemble Aventure for contemporary music in Freiburg and the Bach-Collegium Stu gart of the Interna onal Bach Academy. As an accomplished chamber musician, Mar n is also involved in chamber music performances of various combina ons with colleagues of the Stu gart Philharmonic.
Bernhard Lörcher (violoncello) was born in Freiburg in 1970 and toured throughout Europe as a youth with the “Landes- und Bundesju- gendorchester”. With his cello trio, he won 1st place at the “Bundeswe bewerb Jugend Musiziert”. He studied with Prof. Mar n Ostertag in Karlsruhe and received his chamber music educa on in Vienna with the Alban Berg Quartet and the Haydn Trio. Together with various cham- ber music ensembles, Bernhard was a guest at many music fes vals and received invita ons to concerts all over Europe. In 1994, he won the Mendelssohn Compe on in Berlin. Since 1999 he has been a cellist with the Stu gart Philharmonic and has been a solo cellist since 2001. In 2006, he performed for the first me at the Santa Catarina Music Fes val in Brazil, where he has since been invited as a guest lecturer and soloist.
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DAY 1 | NETHERLANDS: AMSTERDAM DAY 3 | GERMANY: COLOGNE - BONN Begin your classical music odyssey in the Dutch capital city of A er breakfast venture out into the vibrant city of Cologne Amsterdam. A er embarking and se ling into your home for the with its famous twin spired cathedral, through an op onal next 8 days, join the cruise director for a Welcome Cocktail follo- walking tour or on your own. Return to the ship for lunch as wed by a special Welcome Dinner. This evening listen to the your vessel con nues to the next stop along the Rhine river sounds of Mozart and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy in a special con- - Bonn. Con nue your music educa on with a visit to the cert onboard - a wonderful beginning to your cruise. Beethoven House - a memorial site and museum focusing on the life and work of composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Wri en in 1772 when Mozart was just 15 years old, the Diver - Music of Beethoven is the focus of a private piano concert. mento K. 138 in F major reflects not only his youth period, but also his journeys around Europe and especially in Italy. The y- To understand Ludwig van Beethoven’s work of art, one oung Mozart immersed himself in the Italian musical styles, new must comprehend the young man’s childhood. His first years explora ons that would influence him later in preparing his work in Bonn were tragically unhappy, because of his father’s for stringed instruments. This bright composi on embracing the demented ambi on to turn his boy into a “child prodigy” Italian grace was meant as background, outdoor music for social like Mozart. A musical enthusiast, but a violent alcoholic, his events, such as garden par es. The tle Diver mento in the ma- father, who was also his first teacher, forced him to prac ce nuscript is not Mozart’s handwri ng. all the me and if mistakes were done, he would punish him. The father would o en wake up the boy in the middle Composer, conductor, pianist and organist, Felix Mendelssohn- of the night to play for his drunken friends. Yet, the suffering Bartholdy significantly developed the German musical scene. was transposed in sensi vity and joy for music. Given his Jewish heritage, his reputa on was altered when the Nazis banned his music and tore down his statue in front of the Ludwig van Beethoven ’s deafness started by the age of 26 Leipzig Gewandhaus. The String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80 and aggravated deeply in me, so a er the age of 50, the was composed in 1847 as homage to his sister Fanny who had musician was in complete silence. Though devasta ng the died on 17 May of that year and it bore the tle "Requiem for brilliant pianist, his public performances and social events, Fanny." It was the last major piece he completed before he died the composer’s deafness revealed more of his capacity to two months later on 4 November 1847. create music, ringing freely in his inner ear. The “Conversa on Books” are a priceless tes mony of that peri- DAY 2 | AMSTERDAM - UTRECHT od; records of conversa ons between the composer and his Explore the beau ful canal city of Amsterdam during this morni- friends or visitors that facilitated their discussions in wri ng. ng's city tour. As a special highlight, we will visit the beau ful In Beethoven House Museum in Bonn, one can view his hea- Dominicus Church for a private concert. Relax as you listen to ring aids, such as a special ear horn. the strains of Schubert and Schumann are performed. Con nue through the picturesque countryside in the north of Holland, to DAY 4 | COCHEM rejoin the vessel for a peaceful a ernoon onboard. Relax onboard while cruising the lovely Moselle River to the roman c wine-growers village of Cochem. Spend the Born in the Heaven’s Courtyard (Himmelpfortgrund), a suburb of a ernoon exploring the village or join a walking tour with a Vienna, Franz Schubert did not have what we can call a paradisi- tas ng of the famous wines of the Moselle region. This eve- ac life. One of the nineteen children of a school master, Franz ning enjoy an exclusive concert onboard highlighted by mu- was considered an extremely talented musician from an early sic of Haydn and Mendelsohn-Bartholdy. Your vessel de- age. Despite his rich work, he lived in poverty and died at the age parts later this evening. of 31, before his 32nd birthday. When he died, his only possessi- ons were a bed, some clothes and his music. He was buried next Born in 1732, Franz Joseph Haydn is one of the most influen- to Beethoven, whom he admired so deeply that he acted as one al composer of his me and not only. Known as the “father of the thirty torch bearers at Beethoven’s funeral. of symphony”, his work had a great impact on all the other genres, also. His crea ons are as present today as in the Robert Schumann commenced his remarkable instrumental past because one of his songs, “The Deutschland Lied", is explora ons in 1842 with three string quartets. The Quartet No.3 the na onal anthem of Germany. “Papa Haydn”, as he was is the most structurally tradi onal work of the group. The very called by his friends in apprecia on of his good sense of first gesture of the first movement's brief introduc on is iden - humor, never had children, but helped as much as he could cal, harmonically and mo vically, to the opening gesture of young struggling musicians as Mozart, whose s rring Requi- Beethoven's Op.31, No.3, and one must suspect a conscious or em was played at Haydn’s death. subconscious debt on Schumann's part.
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Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy ’s quartet in D major op. 44 no. 1 Though born in a German family from Halle, Germany, was completed on 24 July 1838. On 30 July 1838 Mendelssohn Georg Friedrich Händel will spend most of his life in Eng- wrote from Berlin to the violinist Ferdinand David that “I have land (over 45 years) un l his end. There, he becomes the just finished my third Quartet, in D major, and I would like it a na onal idol and composer, but also the headline musician lot if it pleased you too. I almost believe it will, since, it appears of the Teutonic musical galleries. Deeply appreciated among to me, it is more fiery and more grateful to the players than the the aristocra c and intellectual groups, Handel was ap- others.“ Mendelssohn’s op. 44 is concerned predominantly with pointed Musical Director of the Royal Academy of Music – a the element of buffoonery that exists in Roman c irony. society meant to promote the opera works. For its opening, Radamisto was Händel’s first opera that he wrote, his grea- DAY 5 | KOBLENZ - RÜDESHEIM test performance un l that moment. Enjoy a music-filled day in Koblenz and Rüdesheim! This morn- ing, visit the ancient city of Koblenz, a gateway to the terraced Mozart 's Diver mento in D major, K. 136 (K.125a) is the vineyards and castle ruins of the Rhine Gorge. A er your visit, first of a group of works collec vely known as the your ship travels through the roman c Rhine region. Enjoy a "Salzburg" symphonies. These works stands apart from Mo- musical tea party onboard, taking in the passing scenery while zart's remaining symphonies, in that they are set for strings listening to beau ful musical pieces from the world of opera alone, rather than for the otherwise customary mixed in- and waltz. Before dinner arrive in Rüdesheim, where you will strumenta on including winds. Mozart's Diver mento mir- have the opportunity to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Mu- rors the style of Italian concertos for strings, which he must seum, which is, as the name suggests, all about music and in- certainly have encountered during his several visits to Italy. struments. A er a delicious dinner, your vessel con nues along Antonin Dvořák’s en re life and work strongly resonate the Rhine. with his statement registered on his 7th Symphony, “God, DAY 6 | SPEYER Love and Country”, showing his emo onal connec on with the Czech homeland. There was though also something mo- A er breakfast, arrive in the former imperial residence of Spey- re personal: the recent deaths of his mother and eldest er, which you can explore during a leisurely morning stroll child. His spirituality may be the very reason why Neil Arm- through the city. A er lunch, travel to the university town of strong, the first man to walk on the moon, chose the com- Heidelberg. Tour this well-preserved old town, famous for its poser’s 9th Symphony to take it with him among stars, as picturesque castle ruins. This evening the captain invites you to the highest peak of human crea ng powers. Ambassador of a fes ve Captain's Gala Dinner. the Czech musical culture, Dvořák was the Director of the DAY 7 | FRANCE: STRASBOURG Na onal Conservatory in New York. At breakfast me, you arrive in Strasbourg, which boasts a ma- The String Quartet No. 12 Op 96 " The American " was com- gical, historic old town. A city sightseeing tour is part of the posed in the summer of 1893, during Dvořák’s stay in Ameri- morning’s program, culmina ng in an organ concert in the ca. Retreated in the small town Spillville of Iowa, a farming church of St. Thomas, featuring the music of Bach, Händel, and community of 400 people, he found the spirit of his country- Mozart. This evening, celebrate your musical journey with a men that he yearned for. There, the Czech composer writes farewell concert celebra ng the music of Mozart and Dvorak. in only two weeks the quartet that would become the most known and appreciated of his work. The melodic inspira on Johann Sebas an Bach’s interest in playing the organ started melts itself with the rigors of musical architecture in a work early in his childhood. A er his parents’ death, he moved to of art, but nevertheless, the composi on reflects themes Ohrdruf, Germany, to live with his brother, Johann Christoph, encountered by Dvořák in the American space. who was the organist at St. Michael's Church. His brother gave him the first lessons on keyboard instruments. Bach explored DAY 8 | SWITZERLAND: BASEL the organ building when his brother had to repair the larger of Arrive this morning in Basel. Enjoy a generous breakfast on the two organs at Ohrdruf. The organ brought him later a repu- board before disembarking. The en re AMADEUS team ta on, but also got him in trouble; once for a conflict with a wishes you a pleasant journey home and many great me- fellow musician and once for being caught distrac ng a mories of your trip on board. We hope to welcome you "strange maiden" in the balcony. again soon!