Photoptosis

July 3, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
July 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Alfried Krupp Hall, Essen

The Essen Philharmonic's final symphony concert of the 2024/2025 season comes to light through the concert concept of Anselm Dalferth in collaboration with Orchester des Wandels e.V. Orchestral works and chamber music, percussion solo pieces (with soloist Alexej Gerassimez), and spatial compositions will be combined around the theme of sustainability. Sustainability initiatives and citizens from Essen are also invited to participate in the concert.

The program includes John Psathas's gripping composition "Leviathan", a work that deals with humanity's responsibility towards the earth. Soloist Alexej Gerassimez will play on plastic bottles, among other materials. In Michael Pisaro's experimental work "Rice Fall," rice grains are dropped onto everyday objects such as watering cans or flowerpots, bringing the sound of rain into the concert hall. With his "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," Paul Dukas created a musical fairy tale about water, which gained widespread popularity not least through Walt Disney's film "Fantasia." Bernd Alois Zimmermann's work "Photoptosis" (Incidence of Light) reflects on the color blue and fascinates with its opulent soundscape.

The evening's pieces will be performed in some unusual locations outside the usual concert stage of the Alfried Krupp Hall and, together with atmospheric lighting, will enable new sensory and acoustic experiences. During an extended interval between the two halves of the concert, the audience is invited to stroll through the foyers of the Philharmonie, engage in conversation with sustainability activists, and explore other artistic contributions.

Program:

Bernd Alois Zimmermann "Photoptosis" - Prelude for large orchestra

John Psatha "Leviathan" for percussion and orchestra (selection)

Paul Dukas "L'apprenti sorcier" (The Sorcerer's Apprentice)

Charles Ives "The Unanswered Question" and other works

Michael Pisaro "Ricefall"

Alexej Gerassimez, percussion
Essen Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrea Sanguineti, conductor
Anselm Dalferth, concept, concert design