New season 25/26: Big names and innovations in the Philharmonie

It is a compulsory appointment for the cultural press: Even if the press spokeswoman for the Philharmonie, Fatima Rougi, announces the format of the season announcement as a « talk », the result remains similar on Monday morning compared to the past few years. The Philharmonie once sets international signs – as Minister of Culture Eric Thill emphasizes in his statement.

The most important partners of the concert hall – whether sponsors or cultural officials – are there when « namedropping » is delivered again. Packed in a marketing dress that you want to pass the history of the concert hall between tradition and time spirit with the means of music and to tell stories in many ways.

Yes, the big orchestras such as the Viennese and Berlin Philharmonic, the Filharmonia della Sacala and the Orchestra del Teatro della Scala or the Academy of ST Martin come in the field. And yes, Sir Simon Rattle is a guest (twice), Martha Argerich, Janine Jansen, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Anna Netrebko, Anna Prohaska, Sol Gabetta, Joshua Bell, Evgeny Kissin, Brad Regerau, John Scofield and Igor Levit give concerts, Kit Armstrong, Renaud Capuçon and Jazzer Michael Wollny are focus artists of the season.

And with Sir Eliot Gardiner, Jukka-Pekka Sarastste Paavo Järvi and William Christie, the Luxembourg Philharmonic International Sizes, who will officially work without chief conductors, will officially work without chief conductors as guests.

Construction site Philharmonie, construction site orchestra

Gustavo Gieno gives a guest performance 25/26 with his Toronto orchestra, but the farewell as a boss in Luxembourg is still in the current season. And the new chief conductor Martin Rajna? It only officially starts 26/27. But on March 27, 2026, he will interpret the Philharmonic as the first sign of Strauss and Beethoven’s new cooperation-the soloist is the exceptional pianist Maria João Pires.

A orchestra in change and a emerging construction site on the rear part of the Philharmonie, which should be completed by at least 2027 during the ongoing concert operation without any disturbing influences – that does work. Cost increases in the cultivation project for more flexible reception rooms, the new restaurant and a canteen for the staff and guests are not wanted. But of course you have to wait and see how the participants advertised across Europe have changed their prices, says Gehmacher.

The Philharmonie Oberen emphasize how strongly they interact with local cultural supporters. You want to be « bridge builders », says Gehmacher. The general director admits that the tightrope walk between the speech and artistic further development and artistic further development and intensive music interpretation for connoisseurs is always a challenge. Train horses must be.

World-class artists on instruments or the conductor desk are the be-all and end-all to generate attention. Luxembourg artist beyond the Philharmonicists can hardly be identified in the main series of the house. Only with the Orchestre de Chambre, the soloist European and the United Instruments of Lucilin may local heroes show their work in the concert hall – or in the children’s programs that the house produces.

India’s music scene comes to Kirchberg

Of course, not every concert can be really discussed in the talk length of almost an hour. At most the large lines. Where can you find real new things next to the who’s who of the European scene? « Indian music », throws Francisco Sassetti, the senior manager Artistic Planning, into the balance. « Echoes from India » is the focus that focuses on the music tradition and its current spearheads in the country. And otherwise? Especially those who look into the apparently smaller ranks of the house can look forward to some unusual project or selection of work.

« And Simon Rattle also comes because he can program quite differently here. I only remember the focus of this year for his 70 .. Mark-Anthony Turnages, Sco. Five Portraits for Electric Guitar and Orchestra ‘was a piece that he could do with us. And then there is a lot of innovation behind seemingly well-known names and expected programs. Programming – I am sure that we have an audience for him, ”said Gehmacher.

How else is the Heart Chamber of Classical Music in the country? The audience can no longer be bound. ABOS is abandoned. And yet the ticket purchase runs far more spontaneously. The solution: freely selectable « Pick & Mix » bundles, which are the focus of the seasonal marketing campaign.

Do you need a higher budget?

The financial reserves were dismantled at the request of the previous government. Luxembourg and thus the Philharmonie could be happy not to have to save on culture. Unlike, for example, in Berlin or France. This is not only swinging with director Stephan Gehmacher. The Minister of Culture initially promises cultural -political support in his contribution to the talk.

But will Eic Thill be strong even with higher financial needs for the concert hall? In any case, he sees the courage to innovate in the Kirchberg concert hall, emphasizes the minister, who generally wants more access to the culture for broad parts of the population.

And the string puller in the background, the long -time board of directors Pierre Ahlborn? Will he continue to throw his backing into the ring? « I plan to finish my mandate, » he says. Even under Sam Tanson, he had accepted the office again, but did not persevere. « Younger people should take over the helm once, » he says.

Anecdotically, however, in subordinate clauses of the press talk point out how he managed to get the Philharmonie architect Christian de Portzamparc on board with the help of the Grand Ducal Pair. The change in one’s own building goes through as a careful work on the future of the house. So much skill and standing is needed for a successor.

Further details about the new season can be found at www.philharmonie.lu.