Precious Wood

November 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
WDR Broadcasting Studio, Köln

In the mood for some South American spirit and fiery colors of sound in ever-changing ensembles? Heitor Villa-Lobos’s First String Quartet and his Quintet combine a folkloric pulse with the neoclassical elegance the Brazilian composer discovered in Paris. The French composer Darius Milhaud likewise blends European modernism with South American music in his clarinet trio Suite and the Danses de Jacarémirim. The program reaches a dazzling finale with Astor Piazzolla’s captivating Tango Ballet, in which Argentine tango merges with jazz and classical music.

The chamber concert program Edelhölzer (“Precious Wood”), conceived by Nina Arnold from the WDR Symphony Orchestra’s Orchester des Wandels working group, aims to highlight the beauty of the rainforest and the urgent need to preserve it. Alongside the expressive music of the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, footage of rainforests will be shown, allowing the beauty of music and nature to merge and reinforce one another. During the concert interval, visitors will have the opportunity in the foyer to learn more about the organization’s work and exchange ideas at an information stand.