The X-MAS CONTEMPORARY project set the goal of combining the concept of Christmas as it is experienced today with the music of our time.
X-MAS CONTEMPORARY
The Christmas Carol of the 21st Century
Concept
What does Christmas mean to you?
Dietrich Henschel asked this question of twelve different composers from different countries.
12 composers write 12 Christmas songs of the 21st century.
In collaboration with the ensemble of chief conductor Vladimir Jurowski, this project has been developed into a evening of music fit for the holidays. The premiere will take place on 7 December 2019 in the Konzerthaus Berlin.
Programming of the 12 Christmas Carols of the 21st century can be done according to the audience's wishes and can be supplemented by traditional Christmas carols.
This programme can also be combined with Dietrich Henschel's "X-mas Percussive" project with Simone Rubino.
"X-mas Contemporary" CD release: Farao Classics - 15 November 2019.
Programme
Composers
Karim Al Zand: Die Mistel für Bariton, Klavierquartett, Vibraphon
Detlev Glanert: Stille für Bariton, Streichquartett, Klavier, Schlagzeug
Jamie Man: Gebürt für Bariton & Ensemble
Arno Waschk: Frohes Fest für Bariton & Ensemble
Jose-Maria Sanchez-Verdu: White Silence für Bariton & großes Ensemble
Matan Porat: Puppenhaus für Bariton & Ensemble
Manfred Trojahn: Christmas Greetings from a Fairy to a Child für Bariton, Horn & Streichquarett
Annette Schlünz: La Blancheur abolit le temps für Bariton, Oboe, Klarinette, Trompete, Percussion, Akkordeon, Klavier, Violine, Viola, Cello
Olga Rayeva: Sotto voce für Stimme & Ensemble
Jobst Liebrecht: CHRISTMAS / weihnacht für Bariton & 8 Instrumentalisten
Michèle Reverdy: Soixante et quelques mains pour la Nativite für Bariton & Instrumentalensemble
Vanessa Lann: Tree of Life so green für Bariton & großes Ensemble
Cast
Dietrich Henschel
Baritone Dietrich Henschel is a towering figure, physically, intellectually, musically, and theatrically. His prowess as an interpreter, by which I mean precisely his ability to get below the surface of a song and right into its soul, is extraordinary. The Herald Scotland
ensemble unitedberlin
Das ensemble unitedberlin ist aus dem historischen Glücksfall der Wiedervereinigung entstanden. 1989 wurde es in Berlin gegründet - Sinnbild der wiedergewonnenen Verbindung von Musik und Musikern in der lange geteilten Stadt. unitedberlin ist nicht nur im musikalischen, sondern auch im internationalen Sinne grenzüberschreitend: Gastkonzerte auf Festivals neuer Musik in Albanien, Brasilien, Frankreich, Israel, Polen, Russland, Spanien, Südkorea, China, Ungarn, Schweiz, Iran und in den USA begleiten die regelmäßige Arbeit des Ensembles in Berlin.
References
X-Mas Contemporary is the most exciting idea for Christmas (...) A smooth, beautiful, sincere advent calendar for those who prefer to listen to Christmas instead of shopping.
RONDO Magazin, Carsten Hinrichs, Dez. 2019
There are several moments of this concert that go into the soul: Even if one can seldom lean back with a warm feeling, many of the songs artistically bring out those Christmas memories that we like to keep inside us.
Deutschlandfunk, Matthias Nöther, 09.12.2019
… relaxed mix of seriousness and irony, the lighting up of the music at the end has something of exalted Christmas joy.
Berliner Zeitung, Clemens Haustein, 9.12.2019
And then there is this singing personality of Dietrich Henschel: a flexible creator and highly intelligent text interpreter, witty and clever, characteristic and yet always serving the compositions.
Hundert 11, Albrecht Selge, 09.12.2019
Sometimes ironic, sometimes postmodern eclectic, sometimes completely based on sound or also discursive... Henschel proved an enormous interpretive range between classical singing, speaking, panting or even extending the vocal possibilities beyond the conceivable.
Westfällische Zeitung, Christian Oscar Gazsi Laki, 18.12.2019
Discography
Xmas Contemporary & Percussive
Dietrich Henschel, Vladimir Jurowski, ensemble unitedberlin, Simone Rubino
FARAO Classics, B 108106, Nov 2019