Löwenmusiken

Music from three centuries in the warm timbre of the cello – the new series

“Löwenmusiken – exquisite chamber music at the Löwenpalais”

showcases the talents of young musicians outside their engagements as orchestral players. The series begins with the stately beauty among the string instruments, and in a formation of four at that.

The cello quartet of the Camerata Europaea (C E) makes its debut with a concert programme as varied and inspiring as its performers from four corners of Europe. Nerina Mancini, John Benz, Taneli Turunen and Tonio Henkel come from Italy, England, Finland and Germany. Permanent positions in renowned orchestras in Berlin and Switzerland brought them together in Berlin. For the Löwenmusiken, these outstanding cellists have formed a quartet.

The Baroque base ingredients of Löwenmusiken I are arrangements of chorales, artful contrapuntal exercises and dances by Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706), Henry Purcell (1659–1695), J. S. Bach (1685–1750) and G. F. Handel (1685–1759). Romantic works from the 19th century by Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) and Wilhelm Fitzenhagen (1848–1890) provide the refinement. The wild mix is made up of tango, Charleston and Spanish pieces from the last century by Eduard Pütz (1911–2000), Enrique Francini (1916–1978), Matyas Seiber (1905–1960) and Brian Kelly (b. 1934), with the special touch of Joschi Schumann’s (b. 1958) striking composition “The Cello Burns Longer” (“Das Cello brennt länger”).

The Löwenmusiken at the Löwenpalais were created by the Camerata Europaea and combine high-quality, appealing musical offerings with the familiarity of a salon. A glass of sparkling wine is included in the admission price. The programmes are introduced, and a leisurely wind-down, conversation and exchange between artists, organiser and audience are welcome.