"bewegt" - 2026/2027
“We live in moving times.” But have there ever really been still times? Who sets time in motion – or is it, rather, time that moves us? Just as events and actions move us outwardly, inwardly we are usually moved by what happens when time itself seems to stand still: a particularly poignant, slow movement of a symphony. Or the mighty sonic eruption of the full orchestra in Mahler, Bruckner and Shostakovich. It sets the air molecules in the hall racing so rapidly that we perceive them as one great, resounding sound.
Music moves the senses, the heart and the soul. That is why we have chosen this small word with such a powerful effect as the motto for our new season. “Moved” is more than simply motion: music moves not only the orchestra and its audience, but also composers themselves as they create new sounds. Above all, there is one composer whose music has moved generations to come, and whom we will commemorate in 2027 on the 200th anniversary of his death: Ludwig van Beethoven. His symphonies moved not only music, but literature, art and society too – even politics – culminating in the “Ode to Joy” from the finale of his Ninth Symphony, which today serves as the European anthem, expressing the values all nations aspire to share: freedom, peace and solidarity.
With Beethoven’s music, and that of many other composers inspired by him, we too want to use “moved” as a reminder of freedom and peace in the new concert season. As cultural ambassadors and a “world orchestra”, we take the Bamberg sound to other countries – this season especially across Europe: to Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic. We are delighted to perform three complete cycles of Beethoven’s nine symphonies in places where the great artist himself worked: the Rhineland, Prague and Vienna. Residencies at the Elbphilharmonie and leading festivals complete the season.
For more than a decade now, Jakub Hrůša has been moving the hearts of Bamberg audiences and his orchestra. We are delighted that he will continue to do so for a further three years as our Chief Conductor. We also look forward to stirring appearances by our Honorary Conductors and to an illustrious line-up of guest conductors, who will inspire us in Bamberg once again – or for the first time – including Semyon Bychkov, Alan Gilbert, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Vladimir Jurowski and Kent Nagano.
Together with you, we would like to experience how music moves us – in the concert hall, on our travels, and through this season’s great works.
We look forward to meeting you.
Marcus Rudolf Axt
President and CEO
Please find our season brochure here.