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Robert Neumann Shines at the Hagenhaus: A Masterful Piano Recital

On January 30, 2025, the Hagenhaus in Nendeln was treated to a piano recital that combined brilliance, intensity, and musicality in a way that few could match. The young, internationally renowned pianist Robert Neumann delivered a program that captivated the audience not only with technical perfection but also with an emotional depth that left a lasting impression.

The first part of the evening opened with Chopin’s 12 Etudes op. 25. Neumann played these pieces with a sense of ease that perfectly highlighted their virtuosity, while also bringing out the emotional nuances of each etude. The technical demands of the work were handled with naturalness, and every note seemed to come effortlessly yet with immense expressiveness.

In the second half, Neumann turned to Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, showing his remarkable ability not only to execute the intricate passages but also to evoke the vivid imagery contained within the music. His interpretations of The Old Castle and The Gnome stood out, capturing both the whimsical and dramatic elements of the piece with flair and precision.

The audience was entranced from start to finish, rewarding Neumann with prolonged applause and standing ovations. This evening was another shining moment in the Thursday at the Hagenhaus series, proving once again that Robert Neumann has the rare ability to captivate and transport his listeners.

Baroque Brilliance at the Hagenhaus: Chouchane Siranossian and Max Volbers Deliver an Unplugged Masterpiece

On January 23, 2025, the Hagenhaus in Nendeln hosted another extraordinary musical evening. Violinist Chouchane Siranossian and harpsichordist Max Volbers captivated the audience with an exquisite journey through the world of Baroque music as part of the Thursday at the Hagenhaus - Unplugged series.

The program was as diverse as it was demanding, showcasing the richness of Baroque composition. The evening opened with Francesco Rognoni’s Vestiva i colli, an intricate and expressive piece that set the tone for the night. Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi Mealli’s spirited Sonata La Cesta and Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber’s playful Sonata representativahighlighted Siranossian’s technical mastery and emotional depth. Soloing with Michelangelo Rossi’s Toccata settima, Volbers demonstrated the harpsichord’s surprising versatility and vivid expressiveness.

The pinnacle of the evening came with Giuseppe Tartini’s Le Trille du Diable. Siranossian delivered this devilishly challenging sonata with breathtaking virtuosity, her trills and cascades leaving the audience spellbound. François Francœur’s Violinsonata op. 2 No. 6 enchanted with its graceful dance-like movements, while Johann Sebastian Bach’s Violinsonata BWV 1023 provided the ideal framework to showcase the duo’s impeccable chemistry.

Siranossian’s deeply expressive yet delicate violin playing was perfectly complemented by Volbers’ rhythmic precision and dynamic command of tone. Together, they created moments of profound beauty and electrifying intensity.

The audience responded with thunderous applause, underscoring the impact of this remarkable performance. This evening was a vivid reminder that Baroque music is far from being confined to history – it remains as captivating, moving, and inspiring as ever.

An Evening Full of Magic: Lucienne Renaudin Vary and Félicien Brut Enchant in Nendeln

On Thursday evening, the Hagenhaus in Nendeln transformed into a place of musical magic. Celebrated trumpeter Lucienne Renaudin Vary and accordion virtuoso Félicien Brut took the audience on a journey through diverse soundscapes – from classical virtuosity and French chansons to rhythmic ecstasy.

The program offered a captivating arc of tension: from Carl Höhne's Fantaisie Slave and Rafael Méndez’s Romance to Fabien Waksman’s Suite Perfect Match, premiered in 2023, the repertoire impressed with its variety and emotional depth. Félicien Brut captivated as a soloist with a finely nuanced arrangement of Michel Legrand’s Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, before the duo brought the evening to a musical climax with Leonard Bernstein’s *Tonight* and Richard Galliano’s Tango pour Claude.

Lucienne Renaudin Vary, with her unparalleled trumpet tone and charismatic stage presence, demonstrated in every note why she is among the most sought-after musicians of her generation. Félicien Brut complemented her perfectly: his accordion playing felt like an extension of his soul – intense, virtuosic, and full of passion.

The audience was overwhelmed. The standing ovations at the end of the concert were not only a sign of enthusiasm but also a mark of respect for the outstanding performance of these two artists.

The concert was more than a musical evening – it was an unforgettable experience. Lucienne Renaudin Vary and Félicien Brut proved that music can transcend boundaries and touch the heart directly.

Maurice Ravel’s 150th Birthday: Seong-Jin Cho Opens Concert Series in Nendeln with a Masterwork Marathon

On Thursday evening, the Hagenhaus in Nendeln became the stage for a musical exceptional event: to inaugurate the new concert series and celebrate Maurice Ravel’s 150th birthday, pianist Seong-Jin Cho presented all of the composer’s piano works—a program of almost superhuman ambition.

Cho captivated the audience with technical perfection and interpretative depth. From the playful humor of Sérénade grotesque to the poetic melancholy of Tombeau de Couperin, he immersed the audience in Ravel’s dazzling soundscapes. It was an evening that not only honored Ravel but also brought him to life.

Long Review
Maurice Ravel’s 150th Birthday: Seong-Jin Cho Launches Concert Series in Nendeln with a Masterwork Marathon

With Seong-Jin Cho and Ravel: The Hagenhaus in Nendeln transformed on Thursday evening into the venue for a historic piano concert. To kick off the new concert series, not only did Ravel’s compositions take center stage, but they were also brought to life by one of today’s finest pianists.

Seong-Jin Cho took on the seemingly impossible task of performing all of Maurice Ravel’s piano works in a single evening. The program was monumental yet never overwhelming, thanks to Cho’s ability to explore Ravel’s complexity in all its colors, textures, and emotions.

The evening began with the early works: in Sérénade grotesque, the young Ravel sparkled with humor, while Pavane pour une Infante défunte gave Cho the opportunity to showcase his lyrical sensitivity. With Jeux d'eau and the Sonatine, the first part reached an interpretative climax, where Cho’s technical brilliance made the shimmering water games truly shine.

After a short intermission, Miroirs and Gaspard de la Nuit followed as the central highlights of the evening. Here, Cho became a storyteller: the birds in Oiseaux tristes seemed to sing, while the dark drama of Scarbo left the audience breathless.

The second intermission provided a moment of respite before the final section offered an intimate glimpse into Ravel’s elegance and sophistication. Valses nobles et sentimentales danced between delicacy and irony, while Le Tombeau de Couperin concluded the evening with a homage to French Baroque music—a reflection of both sorrow and beauty.

Cho’s performance showcased not only technical precision but also a deep connection to Ravel’s sonic world. It was as if he was unfolding the facets of Ravel’s personality right before our ears: the dreamer, the perfectionist, the ironic humorist.

The audience in the sold-out Hagenhaus responded with standing ovations. An evening like this demonstrates that world-class artists like Seong-Jin Cho can fill not only grand concert halls but also intimate venues like Nendeln with magical moments. A spectacular start to the concert series—and a tribute to Ravel that is unparalleled.