FreundschaftsSpiele – In the Spirit of Friendship
In the FreundschaftsSpiele series, great artistic personalities open their musical hearts for a weekend: curious, free, and full of ideas. They bring friends, companions, and young talents from the Kronberg Academy with them — people with whom something special can unfold.
Together, they shape an entire concert weekend and create programmes that thrive on trust, spontaneity, and genuine togetherness. Musical conversations across generations, countries, and styles — entirely in the spirit of Pablo Casals.
Advance ticket sales begin on 1 June 2026. Friends of the Kronberg Academy can secure the best seats from 20 May.
FreundschaftsSpiele with Jánoška Ensemble
THE FOUR SEASONS IN JÁNOŠKA STYLE
Participants
- Jánoška Ensemble
- Kronberg Young Soloists
Programme
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons has been one of the best-known works in music history for more than 300 years. The Jánoška Ensemble has brought this work into the 21st century with newly composed passages, joining forces with the young string players of the Kronberg Academy to combine Baroque splendour with improvisation, rhythmic freedom, and virtuoso joy in performance.
The result is a fresh and lively interpretation that approaches the original with respect while being full of energy, spontaneity, and surprising moments.
Subject to change
JÁNOŠKA: VIRTUOSOS
Participants
- Jánoška Ensemble
Programme
Virtuoso masterpieces for violin and piano are at the heart of this programme. The Jánoška Ensemble presents works by Paganini, Kreisler, Liszt, Waxman, and other composers in its own distinctive voice — the Jánoška Style.
Technical brilliance, improvisational freedom, and profound musicality merge in an interpretation that is spontaneous, passionate, and marked by the highest virtuosity.
Subject to change
JÁNOŠKA MEETS KRONBERG YOUNG SOLOISTS
Participants
- Jánoška Ensemble
- Kronberg Young Soloists
Programme
The Jánoška Ensemble meets the young soloists of the Kronberg Academy. This joint concert features both characteristic works by the Jánoška Ensemble and classical pieces developed together with improvisational elements. The improvisations emerge in the ensemble’s signature Jánoška Style.
The result is an inspiring dialogue between experience and the next generation, shaped by technical excellence, joy in performance, and a shared passion for music.
Subject to change
FreundschaftsSpiele with Gidon Kremer
ALL FOR KREMERATA BALTICA
Participants
- Gidon Kremer violin
- Kronberg Young Soloists
- Kremerata Baltica
Programme
Arvo Pärt (*1935)
Passacaglia
Valentin Silvestrov (*1937)
Five Pieces
Alfred Schnittke (1934–1998)
Moz-Art à la Haydn
Victor Kissine (*1953)
Swan Time
Giya Kancheli (1935–2019)
Rag-Gidon-Time
Georgs Pelēcis (*1947)
Blooming Jasmine
Hans Werner Henze (1926–2012)
For Manfred
Andrius Žlabys (*1977)
From “Kaleidoscope”
Luigi Nono (1924–1990)
Hay que caminar
Dmitry Stepanovich (1751–1825)
String Quartet “Gidon Kremer Portrait”
Alexander Bakshi (*1952)
Shostakovich Concerto for Two Violins
Alexander Wustin (1943–2020)
Pour Gidon
Andrei Pushkarev (*1974) & Giya Kancheli (1935–2019)
Yellow Button
Subject to change
KREMER.MIDORI.MAISKY: KLASSIKER UND KLANGSPRENGSTOFF
Participants
- Gidon Kremer violin
- Midori violin
- Mischa Maisky cello
- Kronberg Young Soloists
- Kremerata Baltica
Programme
Tālivaldis Ķeniņš (1919–2008)
Suite
Sofia Gubaidulina (*1931)
The Tightrope Walker
Wolfgang A. Mozart (1756–1791)
Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478
Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
Du bist die Ruh, D 776, Op. 59 No. 3
Mieczysław Weinberg (1919–1996)
Sonata, Op. 69
Alfred Schnittke (1934–1998)
Quintet
Subject to change
GIDON'S SHORT CUTS - ENCORE!
Participants
- Gidon Kremer violin
- Midori violin
- Alina Ibragimova violin
- Kronberg Young Soloists
- Kremerata Baltica
Programme
Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
Concerto No. 10 in B minor, Op. 3
Alexander Raskatov (*1953)
5 Minutes from the Life of W. A. M.
Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
Rondo in A major, D 438
Raminta Šerkšnytė (*1975)
This too shall pass
Leonid Desyatnikov (*1955)
The Russian Seasons
Georgs Pelēcis (*1947)
Blooming Jasmine
Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)
Pezzo capriccioso in B minor, Op. 62
Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990)
Serenade after Plato’s “Symposium”
Giya Kancheli (1935–2019)
A Little Daneliade
Stevan Kovacs Tickmayer (*1963) & Johann S. Bach (1685–1750)
Lasset uns den nicht zerteilen
Victor Kissine (*1953) & Johann S. Bach (1685–1750)
Aria from the Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
The concerts are held on the occasion of Gidon Kremer’s 80th birthday.
Subject to change
FreundschaftsSpiele with Janine Jansen
JANINE JANSEN & FRIENDS: POETISCHE FARBEN
Participants
- Janine Jansen violin
- Denis Kozhukhin piano
- Kronberg Young Soloists
Programme
Wolfgang A. Mozart (1756–1791)
Duo for Violin and Viola No. 1 in G major, K. 423
Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Piano Trio in A minor
Further works will be announced at a later date.
Subject to change
JANINE JANSEN & FRIENDS: DRAMATISCHE VARIATIONEN
Participants
- Janine Jansen violin
- Daniel Blendulf cello
- Denis Kozhukhin piano
- Kronberg Young Soloists
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Sonata No. 4 in A minor, Op. 23, String Quintet in C major, Op. 29
Benjamin Britten (1913–1976)
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge for chamber orchestra, Op. 10
Subject to change
JANINE JANSEN & FRIENDS: WEITE KLÄNGE
Participants
- Janine Jansen violin
- Daniel Blendulf cello
- Denis Kozhukhin piano
- Kronberg Young Soloists
Programme
Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat major, D 898
Erich W. Korngold (1897–1957)
String Sextet in D major, Op. 10
Further works will be announced at a later date.
Subject to change