The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra is one of Europe’s leading orchestras and will celebrate its eagerly awaited debut in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall in 2026 together with the world-renowned maestro Thomas Sanderling. With the first work of the evening, the Dodecanese Suite No. 1 by Yannis Constantinidis, they will take the audience on a dreamlike musical journey to the Greek islands.
The program also includes Camille Saint-Saëns’ popular Cello Concerto No. 1, performed by the up-and-coming cellist Jeremias Fliedl. The second solo highlight of the evening is the virtuoso Nikos Xanthoulis. On his ancient Greek lyre, he presents the »Ballad of Ephesus«, the new concerto for ancient lyre by the renowned composer Fazıl Say.
The finale features Dmitri Shostakovich’s impressive Ninth Symphony, one of the most important composers of the 20th century. Maestro Thomas Sanderling had a special artistic friendship with Shostakovich. As a result, he premiered many of his works or recorded them on CD for the first time.
PERFORMERS
Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra orchestra
Jeremias Fliedl violoncello
Nikos Xanthoulis ancient greek lyra
Thomas Sanderling conductor
PROGRAM
Yannis Constantinidis
Dodecanesian Suite Nr. 1
Camille Saint-Saëns
Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33
- Interval -
Fazıl Say
Konzert für Antike Lyra op. 122 »Ballade von Ephesos« (Deutsche Erstaufführung)
Dmitri Schostakowitsch
Symphony No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 70
