Kronberg Festival
“Courage!” – The Kronberg Festival 2026 invites audiences to the Casals Forum from 22 September to 4 October and poses a question that speaks to us all: Where do we find the courage to follow our inner voice?
Across some 30 concerts, music becomes a source of strength – telling stories of new beginnings and resistance, of hope, humanity and the boldness to forge new paths. Inspired by Pablo Casals, whose 150th birthday will be celebrated in 2026, the festival unfolds as an experience that touches, awakens and connects.
International artists, outstanding ensembles and young talents come together in this celebration of music to reveal just how much courage music can hold – and how deeply art can encourage us to act with conviction in our own lives.
Concert
ILLUMINATION
Participants
- Anna Prohaska soprano
- Noah Bendix-Balgley violin
- Ensemble Resonanz
- Riccardo Minasi director
Programme
Benjamin Britten (1913–1976)
Les Illuminations, Op. 18
Edward Elgar (1857–1934)
Elegy
Wolfgang A. Mozart (1756–1791)
Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218
Subject to change
SCHICKSAL
Participants
- Nicolas Altstaedt cello
- Ensemble Resonanz
- Riccardo Minasi director
Programme
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921)
Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Subject to change
WIE KANN ICH MEIN INSTRUMENT OPTIMIEREN?
Participants
- Dr. Ing. Thomas Zwieg
Programme
Dr.-Ing. Thomas Zwieg, Chief Developer at the string manufacturer Larsen Strings A/S, offers insights into the interaction between instrument, strings, bow and bowing technique — and into what musicians can do themselves to influence the response, articulation, volume and timbre of their string instrument.
The lecture will be held in English and is intended for participants in the Cello Masterclasses as well as interested visitors.
Subject to change.
PREISTRÄGERKONZERT
Participants
- Teilnehmende der Cello Meisterkurse
- Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn
Programme
Excerpts from:
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb 1 and No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb 2
Luigi Boccherini (1743–1805)
Concerto No. 3 in G major, G 476
Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)
Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33
Max Bruch (1838–1920)
Kol Nidrei in D minor, Op. 47
Prizewinners’ Concert of the Cello Masterclasses
Subject to change
ENTDECKUNGEN
Participants
- Teilnehmende der Cello Meisterkurse
- Korrepetitoren
Programme
Final Concert of the Cello Masterclasses
The programme will be announced at a later date.
Subject to change
DAVID GERINGAS ZUM 80STEN
Participants
- Dr. Jan Brachmann Reading
- David Geringas cello
- Jens Peter Maintz cello
- Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt cello
- Tatjana Geringas piano
Programme
David Geringas (*1946)
Excerpts from “Sag das niemandem: Lebenserinnerungen eines Cellisten”
Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
Widmung No. 1, Op. 25
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
Minnelied No. 5, Op. 71
François Couperin (1668–1733)
Pièces en concert arranged for three violoncellos by David Geringas
Kronberg Academy honours the great cellist and pedagogue on his milestone birthday with a special event featuring music and recitation.
Subject to change
MENDELSSOHN SCHUMANN I
Participants
- Chamber Orchestra of Europe
- Sir András Schiff conducting & piano
Programme
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847)
Overture, Op. 26 “The Hebrides”
Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
Subject to change
MENDELSSOHN SCHUMANN II
Participants
- Miklós Perényi cello
- Chamber Orchestra of Europe
- Sir András Schiff director
Programme
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61
Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129
Programme subject to change
PODIUMSGESPRÄCH "CASOURAGE"
Participants
- Sir András Schiff piano
- Paul Lendvai
- Cosima Soulez Larivière violin
- Charlotte Miles cello
- Maximilian Maier
Programme
To this day, cellist Pablo Casals stands for artistic truthfulness, moral integrity and civil courage.
How important is civil courage — also for artists? Sir András Schiff reflects on this question with publicist Paul Lendvai and young soloists from Kronberg Academy.
Subject to change.
SUPERMUSIK
Participants
- Khadim Seck Tama, djembe, Peul flute, and vocals
- Alireza Meghrazi Kamancheh and vocals
- Berivan Canbolat Bağlama and vocals
- Naina Doroshenko Bandura and vocals
- Nicola Vock double bass
- Dennis Merz Guitar
- Oliver Riedmüller Conzept
Programme
“What? You don’t know that song? Everyone knows it!” – Who hasn’t heard that before?
They exist everywhere: world hits that supposedly everyone knows. Dere Geliyor Dere, Scarborough Fair, Mastom Mastom or Danzi — melodies that linger in your ears for a long time. But when you listen more closely, you may discover that one or another of these world hits is surprisingly unfamiliar.
Six musicians from the Bridges Chamber Orchestra have reinterpreted their favourite pieces for an interactive family concert. Together with the audience, they journey through an impressive playlist of global-local world hits and explore what connects all this music — in other words, what makes music truly super.
On this journey through their playlist, there is not only plenty to listen to, but also moments to join in, sing along, and for some children even to change the music — because, after all, world hits belong to no one and to all of us at the same time!
Recommended age: 6–11 years
Subject to change.
