Unique sounds: Simone Young inspires in the Isarphilharmonie

Unique sounds: Simone Young inspires in the Isarphilharmonie

Isarphilharmonie, München, Deutschland - On May 15th and 16th, 2025, the Australian conductor Simone Young The BR-Symphony Orchestra in the Isarphilharmonie together to present an extraordinary musical experience. The program focused on works by the second Wiener School and included compositions by Anton Webern, Alban Berg and Alexander Zemlinsky. This concert was all about exploration of exceptional instruments such as mandolin, guitar, harmonium and tube bells.

The main work of the evening, Zemlinsky's "Lyric Symphony", is seen as an important piece of modern music and is a symphony in seven orchestral songs that are inspired by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore. This performance was the first for the BRSO since 1949 and illustrates the continuing influence of Zemlinsky in today's music world.

The challenges of the second Wiener School

The laid music was not easy because the pieces of mountain and weavers are known for their complexity. In an interview, Young explained that the combination of the different styles and forms of expression is a challenge. In particular, the "three orchestral pieces op. 6" from Berg are considered an extremely demanding score. Berg himself sees her as his most complicated work up to "Lulu", another of his masterpieces, which shows the traces of Schönberg's influence.

weavers, on the other hand, brings a collection of miniatures to the stage with its “five orchestral pieces op. 10”, which are performed in a total of five minutes. These works are significant for the development of the new music, which was significantly shaped by the Vienna School. Arnold Schönberg, whose influence on all these composers is strong, is considered a central point of reference to musical exploration. The Vienna School, which was formed around Schönberg, is considered a pioneer in the development of free atonality and twelve -tone technology in music history.

recognition for extraordinary achievements

Simone Young conducted Webern's pieces with their bare hands and used a conducting rod for Berg's more complex compositions. This creative approach to the music was enthusiastically accepted, which was documented by continuing applause after the performance. The baritone Michael Volle and soprano Maria Bengtsson set an impressive musical accent with her performances. They embodied the emotional depths of the music, which is sometimes difficult to interpret.

Despite the rarity selection in the program, which was expected to lead to empty chairs in the auditorium, the repetition of the concert still left tickets available on Friday evening. Young, who was the first woman to conduct the complete “Ring” in Bayreuth last year, remain an outstanding figure in classical music and is appreciated as a specialist for late romanticism.

The combination of the different musical approaches, as well as the connection to the Wiener School through the works of the composers presented, show the continuation of the relevance of this music in a modern context. Simone Young's commitment and her extensive experience with the complex sounds of the second Viennese school strengthen this musical journey.