When does the concert Of Men and Gods take place?

The concert takes place on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 8 PM.

Where is the Symphony Concert held?

The venue is the Great Hall of the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle, Lampingstraße 16, 33615 Bielefeld.

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are available from 34 Euros according to event information. Discounted tickets start at 17 Euros.

What works are on the program?

Featured are Icarus by Lera Auerbach, the Cello Concerto in A minor op. 129 by Robert Schumann, and Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D major Titan.

Who conducts the concert?

The musical direction is taken by Robin Davis.

Is there an introduction before the concert?

Yes. Robin Davis will provide an introduction in the Small Hall 45 minutes before the concert starts, at 7:15 PM.

Bielefeld Philharmonic live in Bielefeld 2026

Name: Of Men and Gods – 1st Symphony Concert
Start: 2026-10-16T20:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-16T22:00:00+02:00
Location: Rudolf-Oetker-Halle, Großer Saal

Between Soaring Flight, Cello Poetry, and Titanic Sound Power

The Bielefeld Philharmonic opens its Symphony Concert season 2026/27 with a musical panorama of human ambition, inner depth, and the overwhelming power of the orchestra. Under the musical direction of Robin Davis, "Of Men and Gods" combines Lera Auerbach's dramatic Icarus with Robert Schumann's lyrical Cello Concerto and Gustav Mahler's monumental First Symphony.

Icarus: The Sound of Risky Flight

Lera Auerbach's Icarus opens the evening with a modern soundscape that translates the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus into an intense orchestral experience. Driving rhythms, ascending lines, and the atmospheric sound of the theremin depict a musical flight between boundless freedom and impending failure. The orchestration creates tension, movement, and a stage atmosphere full of light and shadow.

Schumann: Intimate Dialogue for Cello and Orchestra

At the center of the second part of the program is Robert Schumann's Cello Concerto in A minor op. 129. This work, created in 1850, unfolds its effect not through external virtuosity but through the intense dialogue between the solo instrument and the orchestra. The multiple award-winning British cellist Steven Isserlis makes his Bielefeld debut in this piece. His warm, versatile cello tone meets Schumann's sensitive melody and a finely tuned musical synchronization.

Mahler: Awakening of Nature and Titanic Departure

Gustav Mahler's First Symphony in D major carries the title “Titan” and forms the monumental conclusion of the concert. Sounds of nature, folk melodies, grotesque humor, and eruptive orchestral outbursts guide through a large tension arc. Mahler processes motives from his Songs of a Wayfarer and transforms “Brother Jacob” into a surprisingly dark funeral march parody. From fine colors of sound emerges an overwhelming apotheosis.

Introduction before the Concert

Robin Davis will give a 45-minute introduction in the Small Hall of the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle 45 minutes before the start. It offers a concentrated access to the three works and makes audible how myth, romantic cello poetry, and late romantic symphonic music are interconnected in this program.

The Concert Experience in the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle

The Great Hall of the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle provides the suitable framework for this colorful program. From the immediate presence of the cello to Mahler's large orchestral apparatus, the spectrum of this evening spans wide. The live atmosphere arises where breath, conducting, acoustics, and audience mood merge into a shared musical moment.

Conclusion: A Season Opener with Great Emotional Range

“Of Men and Gods” leads from the mythical flight through the intimate language of the cello to the titanic energy of Gustav Mahler. Those who want to experience orchestral colors, strong musical contrasts, and an outstanding soloist encounter live will find an impressive opening of the new season in this Symphony Concert.