Rock band Pankow gives last concert in Dresden
"The Last Waltz" for Pankow: after 44 years, the rock band is finally calling it quits. In the 1980s, it was one of the most influential bands in the East German rock scene.
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Kraftklub's surprise concert has repercussions
The band Kraftklub gives a spontaneous concert in front of thousands of people in Chemnitz. This has consequences for the musicians.
Caspar David Friedrich becomes a stage character in a musical
In 2024, Dresden and Greifswald made a city bet about the painter Caspar David Friedrich. Now the artist is becoming a stage character in a musical.
Japanese drummers delight with new show in Dresden
Drumming as a high-performance sport: when the Yamato ensemble - The Drummers of Japan - are on stage, you can feel the pure energy. The new show is no different.
Shostakovich Days in Gohrisch meet with great response
A small festival with a big impact: the Shostakovich Days in Gohrisch in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains enjoy an excellent reputation in the music world. Everything here revolves around the great composer.
60,000 guests listen to the Gewandhaus Orchestra in the open air
Experience the world-famous Gewandhaus Orchestra for free in the open air: This is possible in Leipzig. Tens of thousands of people listened to the melodies of "Waltz King" Strauss in the park at the weekend.
Andreas Gabalier rocks the stadium in Dresden
A hot atmosphere at what felt like 40 degrees Celsius: Austrian Andreas Gabalier creates a great atmosphere in Dresden's Harbig Stadium and considers this performance to be something very special.
Musical space flight for the planetarium anniversary
The first planetarium was opened in Munich 100 years ago. Since then, the vastness of the universe has also been explored musically.
Young musicians from 20 countries at Moritzburg Academy
The Moritzburg Festival for Chamber Music exudes a special flair. Music is mainly performed on a terrace of the baroque Moritzburg Castle. And sometimes the next generation sets the tone.
Bach Festival in Leipzig attracts around 75,000 visitors
Every year, the Bach Festival delights visitors from all over the world. This year, there was even a virtual encounter with the famous composer.
Dresden Castle Night invites you to the 15th edition
Rock, swing, indie pop, samba, house music - the program attracts visitors with a diverse range of music in front of the castle backdrop.
Human rights activist Sherbakova opens Shostakovich Days
The composer Dmitri Shostakovich always had a vision of a better Russian homeland. The human rights activist Irina Scherbakowa also has this dream of the future.
More than a hundred thousand visitors at the "Kosmos"
It was a record attendance for the Chemnitz festival. In addition to the performances by the big stars, the smaller formats were also popular. The organizers are delighted.
"Magical moment": Blond meets the Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra
The pop group Blond and the Robert Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra drew thousands of listeners to their crossover performance at the "Kosmos" festival against a historic backdrop. There were a few surprises.
Staatskapelle Dresden is on tour in the trendy Neustadt district
Tailcoats and evening dress are their official attire at concerts in the Semperoper and elsewhere. Once a year, the musicians of the Sächsische Staatskapelle can dress more casually.
Dresden Music Festival draws positive balance
This time, the most famous classical music festival in eastern Germany was all about love. The organizers of the Dresden Music Festival struck a chord with the audience - once again.
Meissen Castle Festival celebrates anniversary - Biennale in the future
The place is over 1,000 years old and the scene of Saxon history. In summer, the courtyard of Albrechtsburg Castle Meissen becomes a theater and concert stage - for plays and music.
Much more than Juli & Blond - "Kosmos" festival begins
The summer months are the heyday of open-air festivals. In Chemnitz, the "Kosmos" has developed into a crowd-puller. Around 300 program items are offered with free admission.
Crucians successful at national competition
Regular individual lessons in singing and instrumental playing are part of the training at the Dresdner Kreuzchor. This pays off in the performances of the famous ensemble - and in competitions.
"Klosical" by Prinzen singer - not a quiet place
Tobias Künzel is known as the singer of the Prinzen, but also writes musicals. As befits a true prince, his new musical also features a throne.
Happiness hormone at concerts: music more effective than kissing and sex
Oxytocin is considered the cuddle hormone. It is released during hugs and kisses, can strengthen the immune system and minimize stress, anxiety and pain. But there is another trigger.
Tango in Saxony: Capital of Culture looks to South America
How much Saxony is there in tango? The Capital of Culture program explores this in numerous events.
Kraftklub surprisingly right in the middle of Rock am Ring
On the second day of the anniversary, there will once again be surprises at the Nürburgring Festival. But not on the big stages.
Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig begins
The black scene has dominated Leipzig at Whitsun for decades. Thousands of fans are expected to attend the 32nd Wave-Gotik-Treffen.
Bachfest Leipzig shows "Transformation" of the composer
This year's Bachfest Leipzig aims to make the composer's transformations comprehensible. The artistic director has also announced a special encounter.
Dance, art, pop: festival summer for the Capital of Culture year
In the upcoming summer months, Chemnitz's Capital of Culture program will feature one festival after another. Here's what visitors can expect.
Positive results at the halfway point of the Dresden Music Festival
The Dresden Music Festival is enjoying a sustained response. Once again, the top-class program of the most famous classical music festival in eastern Germany is well received - and the proceeds are needed.
Ovations for the London Symphony Orchestra in Dresden
The Dresden Music Festival is the best-known classical music festival in East Germany. Even before the fall of the Berlin Wall, stars from the West performed here. Even now, the festival scores points with big names in the industry.
Writing in Chemnitz suggests Kraftklub performance
A mysterious sign in Chemnitz has been causing speculation for days. Since Wednesday, "Kraftklub" can also be read in large letters. A countdown begins in the evening.
Brentano String Quartet delights at music festival
For one month, everything at the Dresden Music Festival revolves around love - that is the festival's motto. A string quartet from the USA quickly wins the hearts of the audience.
Leipzig wants to extend contract with St. Thomas cantor in the long term
Andreas Reize has held the office of Leipzig's Thomaskantor since 2021. According to the city council, this will remain the case for many years to come.
Semperoper brings Handel oratorio "Saul" to the stage
George Frideric Handel was already a superstar in the music world during his lifetime. In 1739, he landed a hit with the oratorio "Saul". It can now be experienced in a staged version at the Semperoper.
Gabalier keeps fit for shows in the gym
Alpine rocker Andreas Gabalier really pushes himself on stage. He also gets himself in shape in everyday life. He will soon be able to prove his fitness again in Germany.
Thuringian archive now maintains part of the Amiga heritage
In the GDR, the Amiga label released records by artists such as Frank Schöbel and the Puhdys, but also by musicians from the West. An important archive of these records is now maintained in Eisenach.
Frauke Roth remains director of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra
The Philharmonie is Dresden's municipal orchestra and is no less renowned than the Sächsische Staatskapelle. Conductors of distinction past and present bear witness to this.
Regular trouble with techno parties in Königsbrücker Heide
Techno fans regularly meet up to party in the Königsbrücker Heide. There are complaints about noise. Just last weekend, the police broke up two parties there - and found a body nearby.
Dresden Music Festival kicks off - motto: "Love"
Japanese sound culture at the Dresden Music Festival. The artistic director also takes up the instrument. For one month, everything revolves around love at the most famous classical music festival in eastern Germany.
More than 200 musicians accompany the Capital of Culture Marathon
As the European Capital of Culture, Chemnitz is also celebrating its sporting culture. More than 8,000 runners have registered for a marathon. It also offers a broad music program.
Festival season 2025: What Saxony has to offer
Partying with friends, having fun and listening to good music at the same time. Many people look forward to this festival feeling. The selection in Saxony this year is once again large and varied.
Dresden Music Festival under cost pressure
The Dresden Music Festival can point to a high level of popularity. Nevertheless, the best-known classical music festival in eastern Germany has to cope with shrinking subsidies.
Singer Uschi Brüning receives jazz award for her life's work
The jazz scene appreciates its icons - and one of them is Uschi Brüning. The singer with the nickname "Ella Fitzgerald of the East" is now being given a great honor.
Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra and Kreuzchor in Hamburg and Munich
The Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kreuzchor are regarded as musical ambassadors for their home city. Now both institutions are guests in renowned concert halls elsewhere.
Association deplores shortage of specialists at German music schools
Music schools are about more than just learning to play an instrument. Girls and boys are also taught other virtues. Specialists are needed for this.
Start of the new Heino tour "Made in Germany"
Heino has been in the business with folk music and hits for decades. At 86, he is going on tour again - and will soon be performing at Ballermann on Mallorca.
Philharmonic Orchestra from Munich and Israel play memorial concert
Two orchestras from two countries form a joint ensemble and perform a memorial concert in Dresden to mark the end of the Second World War. The 97-year-old composer is also present.
Leipzig Opera: bumpy appointment of new artistic director
Leipzig Opera has to look for a successor to the prematurely departing artistic director Tobias Wolff. However, the search so far has not been successful.
Dixieland Festival Dresden expects hundreds of thousands of fans
Dresden claims to host the biggest festival of old-time jazz in Europe. In fact, the Dixieland Festival is celebrated as a folk festival. This explains the high attendance figures.
Instrumental competition celebrates anniversary - 21 countries represented
The Markneukirchen Instrumental Competition celebrates its 60th birthday with violins and violas. Most of the participants come from China.
Social project with grades: Cross of Merit for female founders
In the Dresden project "Musaik", children from many countries learn to play an instrument and set an example for making music without borders. The founders are now being honored for their commitment.
Foundation promotes culture in the countryside
A financial boon for culture outside the big cities: the Arts Council supports projects with funding - but the next funding round could be a long time coming.
Music school congress expects over 1,000 teachers in Dresden
Many music schools in Germany are in a tight financial situation. This will also be discussed at the nationwide congress of the Association of German Music Schools in Dresden.
Top orchestras play under the banner of peace in Dresden
Two top international orchestras perform together in Dresden. In the run-up to the music festival, they are setting an example of reconciliation - in memory of a dark past.
Installation transforms park into interactive soundscape
The Dresden Symphony Orchestra is known for its love of experimentation. Now they are sending a musical message to Slovenia - to the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica.
Jazz prize for Marina Schlagintweit and Stephan Deller
Leipzig-born pianist Jutta Hipp is considered a pioneer for women in jazz. She once played in New York with some of the greats in the industry. A prize in Saxony commemorates her.
"Leipzig shows courage": festival for cosmopolitanism
Traditionally, on the evening before 1 May, people at the "Leipzig Shows Courage" festival show their commitment to solidarity with one another. They set an example against right-wing extremism and racism.
Shostakovich Days Gohrisch on the 50th anniversary of his death
The small village of Gohrisch in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is a place of pilgrimage for fans of the composer Dmitri Shostakovich. He composed an important work here in 1960.
Too little demand - Yvonne Catterfeld cancels two concerts
Sad news for fans of Yvonne Catterfeld: her "Move" tour is being cut short by two shows. Which concerts are affected?
Festival to increase security measures due to terror threat
The Dixieland Festival attracts tens of thousands of fans from Germany and abroad every year. In the short term, the festival is faced with considerable additional costs due to anti-terrorism measures.
Oper Leipzig starts season with new General Music Director
Oper Leipzig starts the new season with diversity and new accents. From musicals to world premieres - there are also signs of change backstage.
Orchestras are inventive in their search for new audiences
Classical music is no longer a sure-fire success. Orchestras are therefore using new formats to attract audiences. The coronavirus pandemic has also changed consumer behavior.
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden plans several tours
Founded in 1548, the Staatskapelle Dresden is one of the oldest orchestras in the world and, according to many critics, also one of the best. With Daniele Gatti as conductor, the successes are set to continue.
Inka Bause: Career start with overalls made of diaper fabric
Clothing was rare in the GDR. So the daughter of the country's most successful pop composer went to a tailor before her very first appearance as a singer. He didn't have much choice either.
Silbermann Days 2025 celebrate the "Sound of Europe"
The Silbermann Days transcend borders - geographically and musically. Innovative concert formats are also on the program in September.
Moritzburg Festival offers musical journey through Europe
Vienna, Paris, Prague, Rome or St. Petersburg: Europe has many musical centers. The renowned Moritzburg Festival for Chamber Music invites you on a tour of the continent.
Gewandhaus: Focus on the Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony
The new season at the Gewandhaus has two focal points: in addition to the "Tacheles - Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony" series, guests can look forward to music by the composer Arvo Pärt.
Weilerstein and Ax celebrated with the Staatskapelle Dresden
Honorary conductor Herbert Blomstedt had to cancel due to illness. He was replaced by his compatriot Joshua Weilerstein, who also made his debut with the Staatskapelle Dresden - with great success.
Honecker and the Queen - new musical by Prinzen singer
Tobias Künzel is known as the singer of the Prinzen. But he also writes musicals time and again. Now his new play is coming to the stage - first in London, then in Halle.
Semperoper Dresden announces twelve new productions
The Semperoper has never been able to complain about a lack of audience interest. But in the first two months of this year, capacity utilization climbed to around 99%.
Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra focuses on Great Britain
The Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra will have a new chief conductor in the new season. With Sir Donald Runnicles, music from Great Britain will become a focal point.
Dresden Boys' Choir receives support from the USA
Last year, the Dresden Boys' Choir sang in front of the Pope and was granted an audience with the Holy Father. The boys' choir has also attracted attention in the USA.
July comes to Chemnitz for the Kosmos Festival
The Kosmos Festival attracted around 70,000 visitors last year. It will be back for another edition in June. The first items on the program have now been announced.
Call for entries for the Jutta Hipp Prize for jazz musicians is open
Saxony has a lively jazz scene. One of its co-founders is the pianist Jutta Hipp, who ended up in the jazz stronghold of New York.
Bach Archive receives collection worth millions
Valuable gift for the anniversary: The Bach Archive Leipzig is delighted to receive important pieces from a private collector in New York.
St. Thomas Choir goes on tour in the USA
The Leipzig St. Thomas Boys Choir will be performing in the USA in March. The young singers want to perform Bach, Bruckner and Brahms in front of an American audience.
Theater Erfurt with new General Music Director
The position at Theater Erfurt has been vacant for some time. Now there is an interim solution - which has a chance of lasting longer.
Dresden Wagner project continues with chamber music
The New York Times has rated the Dresden Music Festival's Wagner project as one of the world's best performances of 2024. Part of the project is now touring Saxony.
First composition competition of the Dresden Boys' Choir
Alongside the Dresdner Kreuzchor and the Thomanerchor in Leipzig, Saxony has another renowned ensemble of this kind. The Dresdner Kapellknaben are now looking for newly composed music.
"We are in play fever": 50 years of Karat
Five gentlemen on stage, mostly dressed in black, look back on half a century. Their musical repertoire is vast. The audience loves the songs from the GDR the most.
Karat celebrates its 50th birthday - anniversary tour starts
It all began on February 22, 1975 in a cultural center near Dresden. The band Karat performed there for the first time. Exactly 50 years later, they are celebrating. With a new tour and a fresh album.
"Over seven bridges" - The rocky road of the rock band Karat
With moustaches and bell bottoms, six young men sit on a meadow. A band from East Berlin launched their career with this autograph card motif in 1975. Their name is Karat.
Silly has to interrupt current tour due to illness
The wave of colds can also be felt in concert halls. It's not just the audience that is thinning out, artists have also caught it.
Karat singer likes to go to punk concerts
His job: rock singer. But in his free time, Claudius Dreilich is also interested in a few other genres of music.
Days of contemporary music
New sounds from Dresden: the Days of Contemporary Music were founded here in 1987. The festival has long been an internationally acclaimed stage.
Heino wants to sing the national anthem at concerts
Heino is looking forward to singing his hits in full on stage during a tour starting in May. He also plans to sing the German anthem in the halls: "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit".
Till Brönner likes to play crossover with orchestra
He is the most successful German jazz trumpeter. However, Till Brönner also enjoys working with classical orchestras.
Top-class at the Oberlausitz 2025 chamber music festival
Since 2020, Upper Lusatia has been a must for music lovers in summer. Renowned soloists and ensembles also appreciate the chamber music festival - in historic locations and landscapes.
"Candide", Lippi and Giesinger - Anniversary Semper Opera Ball
In 1925, the first opera ball was held in Semper's famous theater building in Dresden. The modern Semper Opera Ball celebrates the millennium with an opulent program - both indoors and outdoors.
Staatskapelle's new concert format meets with a great response
The audience at classical music concerts is usually very old. This is why orchestras are trying to rejuvenate audiences and are also testing new concert formats.
Number of neo-Nazi concerts in Saxony down
For a long time, Saxony was considered the preferred stage for neo-Nazi concerts. However, an analysis now shows that the scene has at least become quieter with its music in the Free State.
Till Brönner plays at the Semper Opera Ball Dresden
The Dresden Semperoper Ball continues to change. After a successful relaunch in 2024, the organizers are coming up with further innovations - in addition to celebrities from music, theater, film and showbiz.
The Count is back on stage - Unheilig celebrates comeback
The band said goodbye to thousands of fans over nine years ago - now they are returning to the limelight with new music and concert dates.
Music competition attracts young talents to Saxony
Concentrated silence, then the first bow stroke - in May, young violin and viola talents from all over the world compete in Vogtland. Juicy prizes await the best.
Silly bassist Reznicek: You're never a finished musician
Hans-Jürgen "Jäcki" Reznicek is considered one of the best bassists in Germany. He not only plucks the bass with Silly, but has also written standard works on the instrument and taught as a lecturer.
Silly continues "Electroacoustic Tour" in Halle
Silly hits in a new guise. This is what the band's current tour promises. Even at the advanced age of the musicians, their sound still sounds fresh.
Pianist Jan Lisiecki triggers storms of applause in Dresden
When Dresden's Kulturpalast is filled to the last seat, a special performance is on the cards. Canadian Jan Lisiecki strikes a chord with the audience straight away.
Semperoper celebrates its 40th birthday with a week of festivities
An abundance of melodious sound: the Semperoper Dresden has been attracting music fans for four decades. A sumptuous menu to celebrate its birthday.
Right-wing extremist concert in Dresden prevented
The police arrive at an alleged birthday party in Dresden. There they encounter two right-wing scene bands and visitors.
Singer Klaus Mertens receives the Saxon Mozart Prize 2025
Every year, the Sächsische Mozart Gesellschaft honors special achievements in the interpretation, dissemination or research of the works of its namesake.
Staatskapelle Dresden on New Year's Eve with America program
Conductor Karina Canellakis from the USA makes her debut with the Staatskapelle Dresden on New Year's Eve and takes the orchestra on a musical journey to her home country.
Ludwig Simon on filming with his father Devid Striesow
Ludwig Simon and his father meet for the first time in leading roles. Here, the 26-year-old talks about the family shoot and the high heels he wore for the first time in his life for the movie.