Kurt Schwertsik: This is how the music is celebrated for the 90th birthday!

Kurt Schwertsik: This is how the music is celebrated for the 90th birthday!

On June 2, 2025, the Linz music director Kurt Schwertsik, who soon celebrates his 90th birthday on June 25, 2025, celebrated a remarkable performance in the Golden Hall of the Music Association. Swords, an important Austrian composer, is not only known for his own music, but also for his connections to outstanding personalities such as Leonard Bernstein and Philip Glass. The program included works that impressively demonstrated swordsics influences and creativity.

The event began with Leonard Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story", a piece, social criticism and the search for love in a violent environment. Schwertsik's composition "Muertes en relay" op. 126, inspired by an entry in Frida Kahlos Diary, followed and was conducted by Dennis Russell Davies, the chief conductor of the Brünner Philharmonie. Schwertsik's piece, a seven -sized night, reflects the logic of dreams and contains ironic elements.

versatile performance

During the evening, the Brünner Philharmonie showed its lyrical qualities in the calm passages, but the more energetic dance numbers were less successful. Schwertsik integrates Mexican sounds in his music, while amber uses Puerto-Rican elements. These cultural influences make the connection between the two composers particularly exciting and lively.

Another highlight of the evening was the Viennese premiere of Philip Glass' new piano concert "Mishima", which was specially designed for the concert. It is based on the music of the same name. In contrast to the film score, the concert version is more oriented towards Glass' developed symphonics, with a combination of solo and orchestral -stretched passages. The pianist Maki Namekawa, who appeared in an elegantly designed Kimono, was celebrated with a standing applause.

Schwertsik's musical journey

Kurt Schwertsik has composed a variety of works to this day and also worked as a hornist. He is known for his collaboration with various artists, including choreographer Johann Kresnik. The Filharmonie Brno has already performed three of its works, which underlines its continuing popularity and relevance in contemporary music scene. Unlike many of his contemporaries, swordsics has set striking accents in modern music through its innovative approaches and cultural influences.

The event was an important cultural event that not only put the talents of the composers into the spotlight, but also emphasized the importance of cultural connections between America and Europe. The interaction of classical music and modern elements gave the audience a unique insight into the world of Schwertsik, Bernstein and Glass.

For more information and details about the performances, visit the pages of the , the Filharmonie brno and from Classical Radio .