Previous concert

Sir Simon Rattle | Das Floß der Medusa

In honour of Hans Werner Henze

Friday

6

February 2026

8:00 pm

Munich, Gasteig HP8, Isarphilharmonie

Introduction: 6:45 pm

Musica viva

Saturday

7

February 2026

7:00 pm

Munich, Gasteig HP8, Isarphilharmonie

Introduction: 5:45 pm

Musica viva

$Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Programme

Olga Neuwirth

“Zones of Blue” for clarinet and orchestra (world premiere)

Interval

Hans Werner Henze

“The Raft of the Medusa”

Oratorio for soloists, speaking voice, choir, boys' voices and orchestra

Performers

Sir Simon Rattle conductor

Jörg Widmann clarinet

Kathrin Zukowski soprano

Georg Nigl baritone

Michael Rotschopf speaker

Tölzer Knabenchor

Bavarian Radio Chorus

WDR Rundfunkchor

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Unfortunately, Anna Prohaska had to cancel her participation in the concerts for health reasons. Musica viva and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra would like to thank Kathrin Zukowski for stepping in at short notice to perform the solo part in Hans Werner Henze's “The Raft of the Medusa” and wish Anna Prohaska a speedy recovery.

Information about the programme

Hans Werner Henze was not an ivory tower composer: uncompromising as well as politically committed, he viewed composing not in terms of style but rather as a means of exploring consciousness. Das Floß der Medusa (The Raft of the Medusa), dedicated to revolutionary leader Che Guevara, caused a scandal in the heated atmosphere of the 1960s. It tells the story of the frigate Méduse, which sank in 1816, and whose passengers, abandoned by its officers, drifted on a raft in the Atlantic Ocean for four weeks – an allegory of the abuse of power by those in authority. Sir Simon Rattle has immersed himself in this music, whose dark power and impulsive despair are impossible to ignore. Jörg Widmann will also be the featured soloist in the world premiere of Zones of Blue by Siemens Prize winner Olga Neuwirth.

Impressions from the rehearsals

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Score of Hans Werner Henze's “The Raft of the Medusa”.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Sir Simon Rattle welcomes the members of the Tölzer Knabenchor.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Full house at the Isarphilharmonie in Munich.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

BRSO principal bassoonist Marco Postinghel.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Sir Simon Rattle in conversation with baritone Georg Nigl.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Baritone Georg Nigl.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Speaker Michael Rotschopf.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Members of the Tölzer Knabenchor.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Baritone Georg Nigl.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Sir Simon Rattle, composer Olga Neuwirth and clarinettist Jörg Widmann.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Clarinettist Jörg Widmann.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

Composer Olga Neuwirth, whose work “Zones of Blue” will be premiered.

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

$04.02.2026 musica viva Probe BRSO mit Sir Simon Rattle © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

musica viva

This concert is part of the Bavarian Radios' musica viva series. Musica viva is one of the world’s most famous forums for future-oriented and contemporary music, where many experimental works and performances for orchestra and chamber music receive their premiere.

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