«For motifs of a songful character, the delicate white hand moves through the air in long and slow lines; then suddenly it becomes a clenched fist slashing the air when a divisive chord explodes. When the end approaches with expanding, broad chords, he lifts both arms and spreads his hands wide apart.» Thus, Hermann Uhde describes the impressive movements of Franz Liszt, who revolutionised the image of a conductor with his physically expressive, expansive gestures.
Each of the conductors stepping onto the podium with the Luxembourg Philharmonic during the 2025/26 season has his own take on this tradition. The nuances of their gestures and musical visions become clearer to the observer the more often we have the chance to marvel at them. Thus, it is our good fortune that some of them appear in Luxembourg on more than one occasion this season – for example Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Tugan Sokhiev, both of whom have long-standing relationships with the Philharmonie. The latter conducts Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony N° 2. Jukka-Pekka Saraste also leads two programmes, featuring both of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Violin Concerti to mark the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death. We also look forward to the return of long-standing friends of the Philharmonie, such as the former Music Director of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Leopold Hager, now its conductor laureate, and Paavo Järvi, who has been a regular guest for more than ten years.
One reunion offers particular reason for happy anticipation: Martin Rajna, Music Director Designate of the Luxembourg Philharmonic who takes up the role from 2026/27, offers a preview of his upcoming seasons in two concerts. He is joined in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto N° 4 by none other than Maria João Pires. On 04.07., he will conduct the traditional Summerconcert op der Kinnekswiss for the first time. That’s the proof no one can resist coming back to Luxembourg!
Daniela Zora Marxen
Concert dates
