Ruth Zechlin's 100th birthday - Concert series "On the Zinne^" - new sound!
REALITY AND DREAM - Program starts on April 19, 2026
1st Concert: REALITY AND DREAM - RUTH ZECHLIN ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY
The first concert in the Ruth Zechlin series will feature a world premiere. Zechlin composed the organ work "Reality and Dream" in 1982, commissioned by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, but it has never been performed before. Organist Kerstin Petersen, who discovered the manuscript in the archives, will now give the world premiere performance at this concert. Alongside this work will be the second version: "Dream and Reality" (1983), as well as the energetic piece "Synthesis" for organ and percussion, composed in 1986 for the Vienna Festival, and "Rest and Movement" for two organs (1996).
A striking contrast is provided by the 2024 composition "murmeln" by the young Hamburg composer Sebastian Zaczek. A large-scale ensemble improvisation on Ruth Zechlin's "Unendlicher Kanon" (1996) completes the program.
The performers of the evening are the internationally renowned percussionist Cornelia Monske, the composer Sebastian Zaczek, the organist Benjamin Saupe and the artistic director of the series and multi-award-winning organist Kerstin Petersen.
Program:
Ruth Zechlin (1926-2007)
Reality and Dream for Organ (1st version 1982) World Premiere
Commissioned by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra for the organ dedication in the Berlin Konzerthaus
Dream and Reality for Organ, 2nd version 1983
Synthesis for Organ and Percussion (1986) Composed for the Vienna Festival
Rest and Movement for 2 Organs (1996)
Improvisation on Ruth Zechlin's Infinite Canon (1996)
Sebastian Zaczek (*2002) murmeln (2024) for 4 musicians with glass marbles
Contributors: Cornelia Monske (percussion), Sebastian Zaczek (glass marbles, composition),
Benjamin Saupe (organ), Kerstin Petersen (organ and conductor)
Admission to the opening concert and other events is free.
Venues: Luther Church Bahrenfeld, Lutherhöhe 24, 22761 Hamburg and Paulus Church Altona, Bei der Pauluskirche 2, 22769 Hamburg
With the kind support of: Musikfonds eV, The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Luthergemeinde Bahrenfeld, Pauluskirche Altona, Verband für aktuelle Musik Hamburg, Orgelstadt Hamburg
Further information: To mark her 100th birthday, the Hamburg concert series "Auf der Zinne^ - neuer Klang!" (On the Citadel - New Sound!) is dedicating seven concerts to the composer Ruth Zechlin (1926-2007). Renowned artists from Dresden, Leipzig, Greifswald, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg will interpret more than 20 rediscovered Zechlin works from 1943 to 2007, as well as new compositions and experimental improvisations. Under the artistic direction of Kerstin Petersen, unusual ensembles will interact with instruments including anvil, glass marbles, two organs, theremin, and primal screams.
Ruth Zechlin was one of the most influential composers and a highly esteemed organist who profoundly shaped the musical life of both East and West Germany. She left behind numerous outstanding works for choir, orchestra, ensembles, and solo instruments. Music that sounds just as powerful and energetic today as when it was first created. Music imbued with a deep religiosity and reflecting the composer's intense engagement with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, but above all with the avant-garde. This extraordinary musical treasure is waiting to be rediscovered in the seven concerts of the series "Auf der Zinne^ - neuer Klang!" (On the Peak - New Sound!). You are cordially invited!
