PHACE »Solstices«

Georg Friedrich Haas: Solstices
Shrouded in absolute darkness, the sounds in »Solstices« by Georg Friedrich Haas come to light with unimagined intensity and brilliance. The musical events unfold as if in slow motion, drawing the listener into a meditative maelstrom of long-term undulations and developmental processes. The waywardness in the interplay of the instruments, the tuning, the microtonal shifts – that often seem so unclean in the usual, tempered context – come to light here in all clarity as tonal entities with a completely independent character and reveal rarely heard harmonies. The complete darkness is not only a challenge for the musicians, who have to memorise the entire piece. Listeners should also prepare themselves for an intense, demanding listening experience in which their attention wanders and their thoughts perhaps travel to surprising places, only to return with the dawn. The solstice in the title probably only refers to a limited extent to the darkness in the concert hall, which Haas has been using in his works for some time. The composer described the work as a love song, dedicated to his wife Mollena, whom he met on the winter solstice and married on the summer solstice.

program

Georg Friedrich Haas
Solstices (2018)

Place

Wiener Konzerthaus – A Temple of Music and Culture

The Wiener Konzerthaus is one of Europe's most prestigious concert venues and a cornerstone of Vienna’s vibrant musical scene. Since its opening in 1913, it has stood for musical excellence, stylistic diversity, and artistic innovation. With four magnificent halls – the Great Hall, Mozart Hall, Schubert Hall, and Berio Hall – the Konzerthaus offers exceptional acoustics and accommodates up to 1,865 guests.

From classical music and opera to jazz, world music, and contemporary compositions, the Wiener Konzerthaus is renowned for its diverse programming, featuring both international stars and emerging talents. Alongside the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, world-class orchestras, soloists, and ensembles grace its stage, making it an essential destination for music lovers.

Getting There by Public Transport

The Wiener Konzerthaus is centrally located in the 3rd district and easily accessible by public transport:

Subway:

• U4 Stadtpark station – about a 5-minute walk
• U3/U4 Landstraße (Wien Mitte) station – about a 10-minute walk

Tram:

• Lines 2, 71, D (stop Schwarzenbergplatz) – about a 3-minute walk

Bus:

• Line 4A (stop Schwarzenbergplatz)

Train:

• Wien Mitte/Landstraße (connection to CAT, S-Bahn, and subway) – about a 10-minute walk

With its excellent transport connections, the Wiener Konzerthaus is easily reachable for both locals and international visitors.
Wiener Konzerthaus – A World-Class Musical Experience.

As one of Vienna’s most important cultural institutions, the Wiener Konzerthaus seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, offering unforgettable concerts in one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls.