A breeding ground for new talent and the flagship programme of the European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO), «Rising Stars» turns 30! The Philharmonie is naturally delighted to join in the celebrations, having welcomed nominees every year for the past two decades. All aged 30 or under and hailing from across the continent, this anniversary season's Rising Stars will perform on the stages of ECHO's member halls – each delivering a total of 15 to 20 performances. Indeed, one of the «Rising Stars» project's key aims has always been to build young musicians' endurance through the demands and repetitiveness of touring. It should also be noted that nominees conceive their own musical programmes. As Federico Rinaldi, Network Manager at ECHO, points out: «Ideas must come from them. Imposing something would go completely against the spirit of Rising Stars». As a result, far from solely focusing on classics which demonstrate technical virtuosity alone, performances feel like curated thematic journeys enhanced by evocative titles. In 2026/27, the artistic choices made by Rising Stars nominees showcase both a respect for tradition and an awareness of contemporary issues, and bring together both «big names» and personalities which history sometimes unfairly neglected – among them, many female composers. Alongside these exciting prospects, works composed for each nominee will premiere – an opportunity ECHO is especially proud to provide and which considerably enhances the programme. «This dimension was not present from the get-go», Federico Rinaldi explains, «but it quickly developed. Giving a stage to contemporary creation is a responsibility we all share». In addition to the new faces of the «class of 2026/27», audiences will be pleased to reunite with former Rising Stars throughout the season: Janine Jansen, Jean-Guihen Queyras, as well as Luxembourg's Cathy Krier and Pascal Schumacher to name but a few.
Eva Klein
