Presenting the World-Class Orchestras of the 18th Festival Edition
The World-Class Orchestras series is the festival’s true showcase, featuring world-renowned conductors and outstanding soloists. Which big names will capture your interest this year?
The first two festival evenings in the Dvořák Hall at the Rudolfinum belong to the Frankfurt Radio Symphony and its Chief Conductor Alain Altinoglu, holders of the Diapason d’Or award. The opening concert on 5 September will feature Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor (with Gautier Capuçon) and his New World Symphony. On 6 September, the spotlight shifts to Sibelius’s Violin Concerto performed by Julian Rachlin and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 8, a deeply human celebration of life.
Born in Paris in 1975 to an Armenian family originally from Istanbul, Alain Altinoglu studied piano at the Paris Conservatoire, though conducting was his true passion. Today, he regularly appears with leading orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic.
The Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden returns to the Festival after seven years. One of the world’s oldest orchestras, founded in 1548, it now enters a new chapter under Chief Conductor Daniele Gatti, who succeeded Christian Thielemann in 2024/25. Notably, Wagner once called this orchestra his “miraculous harp”. On 14 September, they’ll perform Schumann’s Piano Concerto with Kirill Gerstein, followed by Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, including the famous Adagietto.
British-Hungarian pianist Sir András Schiff, beloved by local audiences, returns on 15 September in a dual role – as soloist and artistic director of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. The programme includes Dvořák’s serenades and two of Mozart’s most celebrated piano concertos – in D Minor and A Major.
France’s national treasure, the Orchestre National de France, recently appeared at the rain-soaked opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, broadcast worldwide. At Dvořák Prague, they’ll close the festival under their Grammy-winning Chief Conductor Cristian Măcelaru. Their vibrant final concert includes Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, performed by the legendary Rudolf Buchbinder, and Ravel’s La Valse – a dazzling finish to the season.