SUMMER IN THE CITY 2024 - Heidelberger Sinfoniker & Laura Lootens

It is one of the most popular concertos in music history: with borrowings from dances such as the fandango or supplicatory songs such as the saeta, Joaquín Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" is a synthesis of the most diverse elements of Spanish music. It was quickly regarded abroad as the flagship of Spanish culture - and Rodrigo, who almost went completely blind at the age of three, as its ambassador! The world-famous Adagio not only echoes Spanish folk tunes, but also reflects personal dramas in the composer's life: Rodrigo developed the impressive opening motif from the 'Erbarme Dich' from Bach's St. Matthew Passion.

The virtuoso guitar solo in the 'Concierto de Aranjuez' is played by Laura Lootens, who won one of the most important guitar competitions in the world, the Andrés Segovia Competition in Andalusia in 2022: a milestone in the career of this passionate, exceptional guitarist! Conductor Benjamin Reiners, who has been General Music Director in Kiel since August 2019, ensures "pure euphoria" among the press and audience and leads and presents a rousing evening.

"Literature can inspire me, a walk, sometimes the music itself - and vague feelings, impressions that come from within: I never know that exactly," Joaquín Rodrigo told Radio Barcelona in 1963.