Double album “Concert apéritif du Piano”

“The Beautiful” is possible through Tours fabuleux! – Anke Mattern stands behind the name and presents the new double album “Concert apéritif du Piano”, which was recorded on a Bösendorfer grand piano 280VC. Inspired by an exclusive “Hydrangea” garden tour in the Normandy this summer 2020, this unique Solo Recital comes on two CDs. As a result of the cooperation with Mrs. Mattern, who acted as a whole production team in one person – conception, delicious catering, realization, etc. -, the recording transports the beauty of the music and reflects the joy of all people involved. Thank you very much, Anke Mattern!

The album is available online here.

Jury member “Music & Stars Awards”

For the first time I am proud to join the jury of the international music competition “Music & Stars Awards”. Competitions are part of every young emerging musician. From my experience, beside all hard work an important part of standing out in competitions is luck. Even winning international prizes do not guarantee a career. Therefore, it is more important than ever, to find the personal benefits and integrate it into the artistic work. The wonderful example with this very competition ist e.g. the prize for a CD recording. I wish every participant lots of success!

Application deadline: 19 November 2020

© Christa Strobl

Friedrich Hölderlin & “Lied” (German for “Song”)

During this summer we not only had many beautiful first performances with live audiences, but also mezzo-soprano Magdalena Hinz and me had an equally marvellous project with “Lieder” (songs). Together we formed a repertoire including masterworks by Hugo Wolf, Franz Schubert and the like. Furthermore, we premiered the musical version of Friedrich Hölderlin’s poem “Die Kürze” (The Brevity) by German composer Stefan Heucke (*1959), which can be watched at the end of the video.

Aside from the Corona- and Beethoven-year 2020, we also celebrate German poet Friedrich Hölderlin’s 250th anniversary – same as master Beethoven.

“Destiny” Symphony

Beethoven’s “Destiny Symphony”. Corona locked the doors of our world’s concert halls. But when the destiny “knocks” on the door with probably the most popular theme in music history, new possibilities are awaiting us.

The Beethoven anniversary goes on and the composer’s works should not be missing on any concert program. Although travelling further distances is not possible due to Corona, there are some concerts happening in attendance of an audience. E.g. in:

2 September – Schloss Langenburg (DE)
11 September – Mortantsch, Mehrzweckhalle (AT)

25 October – Bonn, Bad-Godesberg (DE)

4 December – Weiz (AT)

Live Concerts start again

Finally! The first live concerts will be possible very soon. Within an intimate atmosphere the first public performance is at the wonderful garden trips (Tours Fabuleux) by Anke Mattern. Furthermore, the duo recitals with Norwegian violinist in August are fixed. And last, as a soloist it will go on – my personal highlight is definitely playing in my home town in Austria in September.

I am very much looking forward to seeing you!

© Ralph Lauer

Thank you for your support!

Despite the lockdown and all the cancelled concerts, there were
wonderful projects and silver linings possible for me. Besides plenty of time to rethink I had my daily Couch Concerts, one world premiere and the passion for Styrian folk music has newly sparked my enthusiam. Without you all this would not be possible – that’s why I want to say “Thank You” from all my heart!

I am looking forward to meeting you again in the concert hall! See you soon!

Corona Meditation

Even during these tough times due to the corona crisis, art and music does not stop. The Austrian composer Gerd Kühr wrote the piano piece “Corona Meditation”, which has its world premiere on Thursday, 30 April 2020 at 20:20 CET. Two special things about this project are: (1) The concert organisation “styriarte” helds this whole event online and (2) everybody can paly along live via the app “Zoom”.

I am very excited and happy to be part of this unique and fantastic project and invite all of you to be a part of it, too. More information here:

https://styriarte.com/corona-meditation-infoseite/