Timpani as a solo instrument: University orchestra on 27 and 28 June

The University of Kassel Symphony Orchestra will perform a summery, varied program from the USA in its two end-of-semester concerts on June 27 and 28. The focus is on a timpani concerto by contemporary composer Lee Actor. The soloist is Ulf Bauer, a longtime timpanist in the University Orchestra. The concert, in which orchestra and soloist engage in a rhythmic-melodic exchange of blows in a jazzy manner, will also be an impressive demonstration of the symphony orchestra's four new timpani. 

Under the proven musical direction of Malte Steinsiek, works by Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin. Ferde Grofè and Philip Glass will be heard.

The "Mississipi Suite" by Grofé (1892-1972) takes the listeners on a musical journey along the famous American river, introducing them to Huckleberry Finn, the spirituals of Louisiana and the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. A sunrise in Crand Canyon is also part of the concert program.

George Gershwin's (1898-1937) "Strike Up The Band"  and Leonard Bernstein's (1918-1990) "Divertimento", in which you can hear a turkey staggering around, among other things, offer a fair amount of musical humor and tonal variety.

In contrast, the piece "Facades" by Philip Glass (*1937), one of the best-known representatives of minimal music, has an almost hypnotic effect. Through the smallest harmonic and rhythmic changes of the theme, which repeats itself time and again and barely noticeably changes, the composition unfolds its suction effect.

Dates: Thursday, June 27, and Friday, June 28, both at 8 p.m., at the Friedenskirche.

Tickets: 12 euros, reduced 6 euros. Advance booking at Bauer & Hieber, Ständeplatz 13. Reservations for the evening box office also over the map telephone of the orchestra: 0561/499 79 77.

About the soloist: Ulf Bauer was born in Siegen and received lessons in classical percussion from the age of 11. He gained orchestral experience early on and later received numerous engagements, including as a soloist. After studying mathematics, he embarked on a career as a software developer and consultant and is now self-employed. Ulf Bauer has been a member of the University Orchestra since 2006 and has since performed in over 50 concerts.

About the conductor: Malte Steinsiek, born in 1966 in Gütersloh, has been conducting the University of Kassel Symphony Orchestra since 1997, and has also been artistic director of the Westphalian Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Gütersloh for many years. In his concert programs, Steinsiek likes to devote himself to lesser-known composers or compositions. His musical openness and versatility can also be expressed in figures: he has conducted over 300 orchestral works by almost 150 composers from the Baroque to the present day.