Travelling Across Europe with Beethoven

The 12 Hellweg Cellists, Conductor: Felicitas Stephan

The 12 Hellweg Cellists come from nine different countries, but have two things in common: they all live along Germany’s ancient east-west route, the Hellweg, in Duisburg, Essen, Bochum, Dortmund, Witten, Unna and Werl, and they are all virtuoso cellists. They delight us with their virtuosity, wit and ingenuity. The ensemble was founded for the first "Celloherbst am Hellweg" festival in 2004.

For many, especially young listeners, the encounter with the 12 Hellweg Cellists is their introduction to the often unknown world of classical music. The beautiful family concerts are designed for everyone from age five to 95 years.

The visit to Beethoven in Bonn is the highlight of the 12 Hellweg Cellists’ new programme. We will hear Beethoven's "Pastorale" played by 12 cellos for the first time. The 12 Hellweg Cellists will interpret the melodies of Beethoven with their very own brand of virtuosity and musical sensitivity, creating a very special concert experience with the warmth and richness of sound of their instruments.

Further stops on their sonorous journey across the European continent will be in: France with Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Eurovision Anthem, Spain with Isaac Albeniz’ Asturias, Norway with Edvard Grieg’s Peer-Gynt Suite and Italy with Giovanni Sollima’s Vibrez, before the next highlight of the journey at the Celloherbst, where they will perform Maurice Ravel's Bolero in the extraordinary line-up of 12 cellos for the first time.

www.felicitas-stephan.de

www.celloherbst.de