Entlang der schönen blauen Donau

A musical and literary journey. With Maximilian Schairer (piano) and Jasmin Bachmann (reading)

The Danube: Napoleon called it the "Queen of Europe's rivers". On its 2857-kilometre journey through ten countries - from Donaueschingen in Baden-Württemberg to its mouth in the Black Sea - it flows past historic castles and monasteries. It is the setting for myths and fairy tales from various cultures, inspires with its magnificent natural spectacles and has always been a source of inspiration for composers and writers alike. The two-hour concert invites you on a musical and literary journey along the "beautiful blue Danube".

Pianist Maximilian Schairer has put together a program full of timbre and narrative power for the Haus der Heimat des Landes Baden-Württemberg: Schubert songs in Liszt's impressive arrangements meet musical impressions from Vienna. Virtuosity, poetry and a touch of Viennese charm await the audience. Readings by Jasmin Bachmann round off the evening.

Program
Franz Liszt/Robert Schumann: Widmung (aus Mythen). op. 25 A flat major
Franz Liszt/Franz Schubert: Ave Maria. P. 558 No. 12 in B flat major
Franz Liszt/Franz Schubert: Erlkönig. P. 558 No. 4 in G minor
Franz Liszt/Franz Schubert: Auf dem Wasser zu singen. P. 558 No. 2 A flat major
Alfred Grünfeld/Johann Strauss: Soiree de Vienne. op. 56 D flat major
Alfred Grünfeld/Johann Strauss: Frühlingsstimmenwalzer. op. 57 B flat major
Adolf Schulz-Evler/Johann Strauss: Donauwalzer. Strauss op. 314 E flat major

Readings:
Claudio Magris (*1939): Excerpt from "Danube - Biography of a River"
Die Geisterschiffe (Fairy Tales from Austria)
Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788-1857): Encounters on the Danube (abridged)
Marie Eugenie delle Grazie (1864-1931): In Vienna
Sándor Petöfi (1823-1849): Two Wanderers
Nature description from the Romanian fairy tale "The Seal"
Friedrich Leopold Graf zu Stolberg-Stolberg (1714-1765): Singing on the Water
Mór Jókai (1825-1904): The Iron Gate

Maximilian Schairer was awarded the title "Steinway Artist" by Steinway & Sons and won several first prizes at festivals and competitions in Europe and the USA. He made his orchestral debut with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra at the age of 12 and studied in Stuttgart, Leipzig and Munich.
Jasmin Bachmann is project manager for music education at the SWR Symphony Orchestra. Until 2021, she was a member of the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation's announcing team and hosted the ARD Nachtkonzert.