Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Joana Mallwitz

Chief conductor Joana Malliwitz describes the evening: “It is a programme with different tonal languages by different composers, but which unites a basic principle of music, the so-called chiaroscuro, the question of light and dark. This is a principle that was already part of the style of classical music in contrasts in the smallest of spaces, as we hear in Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 102, for example. In Wagner's Lohengrin Overture, this process is now spread over a much larger area and finally we experience it in Missy Mazzoli's work as the central theme of the piece itself. She uses the double bass as her solo instrument, which is still a real rarity in symphony concerts. In this piece, it offers an extreme range of expression, from strong and dark colours to breathy harmonics. It's wonderful, of course, and I'm delighted to be working with our principal double bass Maria Krykov! There is always a special energy when one of our fantastic orchestral musicians steps forward and is accompanied by all her colleagues.”