Gulda Cello Concerto now also available for symphony orchestra
On 1 January 2026, the audience at the Kurhaus Wiesbaden experienced a special musical premiere: as part of its festive New Year's concert, the HR Symphony Orchestra presented Friedrich Gulda's Concerto for Violoncello and Wind Orchestra for the first time in a newly arranged version for violoncello and symphony orchestra by Ingmar Sonnenmoser.
Under the baton of Vitali Alekseenok, principal conductor of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein since 2024, the work was performed in symphonic form for the first time. This preserves the original character of the concerto while opening up new tonal perspectives. The demanding solo part was performed by cellist Anastasia Kobekina. With technical brilliance, tonal diversity and great stylistic flexibility, the internationally acclaimed soloist guided the audience through the extremely varied expressive worlds of the work.
Composed in 1980, the concerto for cello and wind instruments is best known for its striking mix of rock, jazz, classical and traditional wind music styles. The arrangement remains stylistically close to the original, but transfers the often chamber music-like gesture into a symphonic context – without losing any of its authenticity. A central concern of the arrangement was to give the unchanged solo part the greatest possible transparency, thus enabling it to be performed without electronic amplification.
Seven awards at the German Musical Theatre Awards
DIE WEISSE ROSE best musical
At the Deutscher Musical Theater Preis 2025 (German Musical Theatre Awards) at the TIPI am Kanzleramt Berlin, the Festspielhaus Neuschwanstein production received seven awards, including the top category of ‘Best Musical’. The work received a total of nine nominations. Awards included Best Book and Best Director (Vera Bolten), Best Lyrics (Vera Bolten & Alex Melcher), Best Arrangements and Sound Design (Alex Melcher, Marc Tritschler, Sven Raff), Best Choreography (Bart De Clercq) and Best Lighting Design (Andreas Hönig). The musical tells the story of the White Rose resistance group led by Sophie and Hans Scholl and sends a strong message about contemporary German-language musical theatre. The authors: ‘We want to show that there were people who resisted, who did not look away. Who even risked their lives for their convictions. Providing role models is an important aspect for us.’
Find more about the Musical here, and listen to rbb radio's report here.
DIE WEISSE ROSE: World premiere of the musical
The new musical DIE WEISSE ROSE (The White Rose) by Vera Bolten (libretto) and Alex Melcher (music) celebrated its acclaimed premiere at the Festspielhaus Neuschwanstein.
The play about the young resistance fighters Sophie and Hans Scholl, who were executed by the Nazi regime in 1943, deeply moved not only the audience. The press was also impressed. The Süddeutsche Zeitung praised the clever use of original texts, which authentically portray the intellect and inner conflict of the young resistance fighters – the characters are ‘exceptionally clear’ and lively. Pitfalls such as trivialisation, kitsch or romanticisation have been skilfully avoided. Authentic quotations from leaflets, letters and diaries of the young resistance fighters make the play historically credible.
The music for a seven-piece band brings all this to life in a congenial and versatile way: melancholic and quiet, then energetic, rocking and loud.
Further performances will follow until the end of July 2025 in Munich and Füssen.
Find out more about the musical here.