Days of contemporary music

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Experience one of the most fascinating and intense song cycles in contemporary music. In his 'Kafka Fragments' op. 24, the Hungarian composer György Kurtág weaves intimate diary entries, letter excerpts and notes by the writer Franz Kafka into a highly expressive masterpiece for soprano and solo violin.
A breathtaking kaleidoscope of human emotions unfolds in condensed musical miniatures. From the deepest existential isolation to absurd comedy and fleeting moments of tender poetry: Kurtág's radical and delicate music illuminates Kafka's enigmatic textual worlds down to the smallest musical corner. The two performers enter into a captivating, almost intimate dialog that demands the utmost virtuosity and expressiveness. On this evening, you will hear the first part of this cycle.
The vocal works are framed by a multifaceted selection from Kurtág's instrumental oeuvre in the form of solo works for cello and duos for strings and piano.

Program (exclusively works by György Kurtág):
Zeichen
"Az hit ..."
"op. 5b, Jelek III (Sign III)"
"Pilinszky Janós: Gérard de Nerval"
"Népdalféle"

Eight pieces for piano, op 3 (1960)
I. Inesorabile. Andante con moto
II. Calmo
III. Sostenuto
IV. Scorrevole

"Játékok (Games)"
"Perpetuum mobile"

"Tre Pezzi" for violin and piano

"Árnyak" for violoncello and piano

Messages for violoncello solo
"In memoriam Aczél György"
"Message-consolation à Christian Sutter"
"Kroó György in memoriam"
"Szókratesz búcsúja"

"Kafka-Fragmente" op. 24 PART 1 for soprano and violin
- Die Guten gehn im gleichen Schritt
- Wie ein Weg im Herbst
- Verstecke
- Ruhelos
- Berceuse I
- Nimmermehr (Excommunicatio)
- Wenn er mich immer frägt
- Es zupfte mich jemand am Kleid
- Die Weißnäherinnen
- Szene am Bahnhof
- Sonntag, den 19.Juli 1910 (Berceuse II) Hommage à Jenny
- Meine Ohrmuschel ...
- Einmal brach ich mir das Bein Chassidischer Tanz
- Umpanzert
- Zwei Spazierstöcke Authentisch-plagal
- Keine Rückkehr
- Stolz (1910 / 15.November, zehn Uhr)
- Träumend hing die Blume Hommage à Schumann
- Nichts dergleichen

The musicians are
Oda Lou Johansen | soprano
Yaodong Zhang | violin
Michaehl Heupel | cello
Matteo Weber | piano

Eintritt frei

Registration is required and can be done via eventbrite.

The Days of Contemporary Music are sponsored by the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius.

Dates at a glance
07.06.2026, 8 p.m.
08.06.2026, 7 pm
08.06.2026, 8:30 pm
09.06.2026, 7 pm
09.06.2026, 8:30 pm
10.06.2026, 7 pm
10.06.2026, 8:30 pm
11.06.2026, 7 pm