Jörg Widmann conducts the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie

They are among the best young musicians in Germany. Since 1974, the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie has brought together music students between the ages of 18 and 28 who have one main goal: to later play in a renowned symphony orchestra. In the orchestra, the young instrumentalists can not only gain orchestral experience at a professional level, but also learn how to participate democratically in the planning of the programme and the choice of conductors and soloists. Contemporary music is an important focus of its repertoire.

For this performance at the Philharmonie Berlin, the members of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie have invited a triple talent: Jörg Widmann is a composer, clarinettist and conductor, and appears here in all three capacities. The concert opens with the Andante from the Clarinet Sonata in E-flat major, composed by Felix Mendelssohn at the age of 15. The movement captivates with its intimate, lyrical theme and has long inspired Jörg Widmann; in 2016 he transcribed it for clarinet, string orchestra, harp and celesta. He  also conducts his 2005 Messe for large orchestra.

Between Widmann’s two works, we hear Robert Schumann’s Second Symphony, with which the composer sought to overcome a serious psychological crisis in 1845/46 and which today is considered the epitome of the Romantic symphony. In the finale of this work, which was first performed by Mendelssohn, the composer quotes a melody from Ludwig van Beethoven’s song cycle An die ferne Geliebte – as a thank you to his wife Clara, who stood by him during this difficult time.

Junge Deutsche Philharmonie

Jörg Widmann