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Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Sonata No. 3 in E major for Violin and Piano, BWV 1016

César Franck (1822–1890)
Sonata in A major for Piano and Violin

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Tzigane for Violin and Piano

Concert without intermission

A wedding gift can only evoke positive emotions, right? French composer César Franck wrote his great violin sonata in A major as a wedding gift for violin virtuoso Eugène Ysaÿe. The moving interpretation by master violinist Kolja Blacher also features Bach's soothing and comforting violin sonata in E major. In Bach's time, the effect of his music was described as “invigorating the spirit”; today we can say that Bach simply makes us happy.  

Subject to change.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847)
String Symphony No. 10 in B minor

Arvo Pärt (*1935)
Tabula Rasa

Concert without intermission

String music touches the heart – not least because this was one of the reasons for founding the Kronberg Academy. When Johann Sebastian Bach's comforting music blends with the warm, soothing sound of a solo violin, the result is an ideal symbiosis. Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor features the charismatic young soloist Geneva Lewis, accompanied by Kremerata Baltica, who will then delight the audience with a string symphony by Bach fan Mendelssohn. Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable concert experience at the Casals Forum! 

CONCERT INTRODUCTION K10
At the beginning of the concert in the Great Hall with Eckart von Hirschhausen

Subject to change.

Enjoy double and save
You can also book this concert as a package deal.
Save 20% compared to buying individual tickets.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Piano Concerto No. 14 in E-flat major, KV 449

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975)
Four Poems of Captain Lebyadkin, Op. 146 (Arranged by Yevgeniy Sharlat for Violin and Strings, German Premiere),
 

Michail Pletnev (*1957)
Z-Defilee for Violin, Strings, and Percussion (German Premiere)

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975)
Three Fragments from the Jazz Suite (Arranged by Alexander Pushkarev for Strings and Two Percussionists, German Premiere)

Concert without intermission

Would you like to experience the Mozart effect for yourself? You know, that fascinating fact that Mozart's music puts you in a good mood and may even improve brain function. Keyboard wizard Lucas Debargue brings Mozart's Piano Concerto in E-flat major to Kronberg – an intimate dialogue between piano and orchestra. Dmitri Shostakovich's Jazz Suite with Andrei Pushkarev on percussion creates a completely different vibe – rhythmic jazz that conveys emotions more intensely than almost any other musical style. 

Subject to change.

Enjoy double and save
You can also book this concert as a package deal.
Save 20% compared to buying individual tickets.

Arvo Pärt (* 1935)
Für Alina
Embodied awareness

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
La cathédrale engloutie
Listening to textures

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Präludium und Fuga Nr. 9 E-Dur BWV 878
Listening to the space

György Ligeti (1923–2006)
Étude XVI „Pour Irina“
Visualizing musical narratives

Alexander Scriabin (1872–1915)
Sonate Nr. 2 gis-Moll op. 19
I. Andante
II. Presto

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 (arr. von Nicolas Namoradze)

Concert without intermission

Pianist, composer, and neuropsychologist Nicolas Namoradze draws upon the connection between two powerful forces: classical music and meditation.
Works by J. S. Bach, Debussy, Pärt, and others.
Music can heal: it helps people find themselves and their inner centre. The Kronberg Festival offers a concert format tailored to this with its ‘Mindful Recital’: composer and neuropsychologist Nicolas Namoradze draws on the connection between two of the most powerful forces of human existence, classical music and meditation. Namoradze's compositions blend with works by Bach and Debussy, immersing the audience in contemplative silence. Why not meditate with us …

Subject to change.

A breath of fresh air for your ears with the hr Big Band! In their program “Bach goes Big Band,” the versatile musicians of Hessischer Rundfunk present the music of the Baroque master in a new guise – from groovy pop to jazzy Bach! The guest for the pre-concert talk is none other than Eckart von Hirschhausen – popular entertainer and TV presenter, as well as doctor and science journalist. Before the concert, he will share entertaining insights into his personal view of music with us. Don't miss this consultation with the TV doc!

Concert without intermission
 

CONCERT INTRODUCTION K13
At the beginning of the concert in the Great Hall with Eckart von Hirschhausen

Subject to change.

Concert on the Theme of Healing with Moderation

John Cage (1912–1992)
In a Landscape (Arr. J. Messina)

Evan Ziporyn (*1959)
From „Qi“: II. Garden

Reena Esmail (*1983)
Zeher (Poison)

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
From String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132: „Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit, in der Lydischen Tonart“

Caroline Shaw (*1982)
Schisma

Philip Glass (*1937)
String Quartet No. 4 „Buczak“
 
Concert without intermission

Concert on the theme of healing with commentary
Want to let your mind wander while listening to music? You can do just that on 28 September at the Casals Forum in Kronberg: minimal music by the Brooklyn Rider string quartet will transport you to infinite expanses. The works performed also revolve around healing and health: in his 15th string quartet, Ludwig van Beethoven sets to music the ‘sacred song of thanksgiving of a convalescent to the deity’, while Evan Zyporin embarks on a search for the energy of qi in his quartet piece. Presentations between the pieces promise meditative contemplation.
Let yourself be healed by the superpower of music!

Subject to change.

Music, Humor, and Madness – a spectacular show in which Igudesman & Joo look back on their career before saying farewell to the stage at the end of 2025.
Laughter is healthy: the duo “Igudesman & Joo” aims to make music accessible, not with seriousness, but with low-threshold humor. In their entertaining show, the violinist and pianist present a colorful mix of classical music, pop, and comedy, garnished with a pinch of craziness. With their program “The Final Nightmare Music,” the duo looks back on its development at the Casals Forum before bidding farewell to the stage at the end of 2025. Get your laugh muscles ready on September 28 at the Casals Forum—last tickets available!

Concert with intermission

6:30 PM, Casals Forum, Great Hall
CONCERT INTRODUCTION K15
What the Music Does to You!
With Prof. Stefan Kölsch

Subject to change.

Surprise Program featuring works by well-known and yet-to-be-discovered composers.


Concert without intermission

What could be better than being surprised? Experience the inexhaustible diversity of music at the Kronberg Festival in a concert à la surprise: classical music great Gidon Kremer has put together an evening full of works by well-known and lesser-known composers whose works are well worth discovering. Also on board: Latvian actor Gundars Āboliņš, who brings the concert's motto, “Fragments of Life in Letters,” to life with his recitations. Let yourself be enveloped by the special aura of this concert evening!

Subject to change.

Eckart von Hirschhausen: Music Makes You Happy! An Evening of Punchlines, Piano, and Cello

“Music makes you happy!” That's the firm belief of renowned physician and science journalist Eckart von Hirschhausen—and he shares this view in an entertaining and informative concert evening on the topic of music and health. 

Together with cellist Tanja Tetzlaff, he presents a colorful bouquet of classical music and cabaret, singing and improvisation. Along the way, you will learn how music influences us unnoticed in everyday life and affects our body and mind. 

A doctor's appointment for physical, mental, and planetary health that you should not miss!


Concert with intermission

Subject to change.