Website: http://www.greekfestival.gr

Date: May 12 to September 12, 2010
Country: Greece


The Festival is held annually at ancient theatres, halls and museums, in the historic cities of Athens and Epidaurus. It has a diverse programme across various artistic disciplines, including classical music.

In the 2010 edition, young conductor Gustavo Dudamel will lead the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, to present works by Beethoven and Stravinsky. Under the baton of Daniele Gatti, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will play Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor. Turkish pianist Fazil Say will team up with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, to deliver his own composition, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 “The Silk Road”, and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor. Trumpeter Alison Balsom will join the Greek-Turkish Youth Orchestra, to interpret Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat major by Haydn. L’isola disabitata, an opera by the Austrian composer, will be brought to the audience by the Camerata Friends of Music Orchestra. The spotlight will also be on Dora Bakopoulou, Vassilis Varvaresos, Les Arts Florissants, Orchestra of Colours, and others.

Website: http://www.cruisepeople.co.uk/OceanSun2010.pdf

Date: August 24 to September 8, 2010
Countries: Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland


The Ocean Sun Festival is a marine journey that offers a unique musical experience for the participants. This year, the award-winning MS Europa, which is rated “the world’s best cruise ship” by Berlitz Cruise Guide, will carry musicians and audience from Kiel in Germany, to various beautiful cities in Britain and Ireland, and returns to Kiel after 15 days. During the voyage, numerous concerts, open rehearsals and other musical highlights will be held onboard, as well as ashore at historical sites. Participating artists include Gautier Capuçon, Magdalena Kožená, tenor Michael Schade, Ariel Zuckermann, string quartet from Munich Philharmonic, and others.

Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/

Date: July 16 to September 11, 2010
Country: United Kingdom


With the meaning of “Prom” as “Promenade Concert”, BBC Proms is one of the world’s greatest classical music festivals, featuring a number of diverse concerts across a wide spectrum of music genres in the “promenade” area of the halls. Its history dates back to 1895 in which the first Proms season was started with the concept by Robert Newman, and Henry Wood was the first conductor of the permanent orchestra at Queen’s Hall, which was the venue for Proms at that period.

For the 116th year of the Proms, a huge number of renowned artists and troupes will be involved in the Festival, namely, Sir Colin Davis, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Valery Gergiev, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Simon Rattle, Vladimir Jurowski, Plácido Domingo, Bryn Terfel, Renée Fleming, Anna Caterina Antonacci, Paul Lewis, Maria João Pires, Mikhail Pletnev, Julia Fischer, Hilary Hahn, Gil Shaham, Steven Isserlis, Sydney Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra, Berliner Philharmoniker, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Orchestre National de France, and many others. The program consists of a variety of different musical works, including music for young people, concertos, orchestral pieces, operas, chamber music works and much more. Many of them are predominated by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvořák, Mahler, Mozart, Schumann, Strauss, Tchaikovsky and Wagner. Apart from the showcases by professionals, the general public can choose to participate in the Proms’ Family Events, which allows people to be part of the family orchestra, chorus, or be involved in a number of interesting music-related activities.

Website: http://www.saito-kinen.com/e/

Date: August 10 to September 9, 2010
Country: Japan

Launched in 1992 by conductor Seiji Ozawa, the Festival is held annually in the city of Matsumoto, which is surrounded by the scenic Japanese Alps. It aims to provide performance opportunities for rising talents, and to enrich the cultural life of local citizens.

In the 2010 edition, the Saito Kinen Orchestra will present Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor; as well as featuring Japanese pianist Yu Kosuge, to play Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major by Beethoven. Violinist Robert Mann will lead string players, to deliver Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D. 810 “Death and the Maiden”. Chinese cellist Jing Zhao will join Yu Kosuge and violist Yoshiko Kawamoto, to interpret Viola Trio in A minor Op.114 by Brahms. Salome, Richard Strauss’ opera in one act, will be brought to the audience by American soprano Deborah Voigt, Jane Henschel, and British tenor Kim Begley, with Omer Meir Wellber on the podium. German composer Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel, to be performed by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra, will be an attraction for youngsters.

Website: http://www.lucernefestival.ch

Date: August 12 to September 18, 2010
Country: Switzerland

Founded in 1938, the Festival is held in the scenic city of Lucerne, central Switzerland. With an extensive programme across various artistic genres, including classical music, it has been a showcase for both renowned artists and rising talents.

In the 2010 edition, Lang Lang will team up with Vienna Philharmonic, to play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, under the baton of Nikolaus Harnoncourt. The Orchestra will also be directed by Gustavo Dudamel, to perform Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor “From the New World”. Pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout will be on stage with Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, to interpret Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat major by Mozart, with Ton Koopman on the podium. Frank Peter Zimmermann will deliver Schumann’s Violin Concerto in D minor with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera, will be brought to the audience in a semi-staged version, with the music presented by Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, and Claudio Abbado. In the recital by Maurizio Pollini, Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 28, and Debussy’s Études will be played. Anne-Sophie Mutter will be accompanied by American pianist Lambert Orkis, to interpret Brahms’ Violin Sonata Nos. 1-3. The spotlight will also be on András Schiff, Hélène Grimaud, Thomas Quasthoff, Simon Rattle, Pierre Boulez, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Philharmonia Orchestra, Berliner Philharmoniker, and many others.

Website: http://www.allegro-vivo.at

Date: August 13 to September 19, 2010
Country: Austria

Established in 1979 by violinist and conductor Bijan Khadem-Missagh, the Festival is held annually in historic castles, churches and abbeys located in the region of Waldviertel, Lower Austria. It aims to provide performance opportunities for rising talents, and to foster the appreciation of chamber music.

 The 2010 edition will open with J. S. Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor BWV1043, played by Martha and Vahid Khadem-Missagh. Pianist Till Alexander Körber will be on stage with musicians, to deliver Piano Trio No. 5 in D major “Ghost” by Beethoven. In the performance by Hyperion Ensemble Salzburg, Dvořák’s String Sextet in A major Op. 48 will be interpreted. On the closing day, cellist Georgy Goryunov will bring to the audience Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A minor Op. 129, accompanied by Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich.

Website: http://www.grafenegg.at/home/en

Date: August 19 to September 12, 2010
Country: Austria

Founded in 2007, the Festival is held annually in the areas of Grafenegg Castle, located in the market town of Grafenegg, Lower Austria. It aims to present classical music with high standard, and has been a showcase for renowned artists and performers.

In the 2010 edition, Lang Lang will team up with Vienna Philharmonic, to play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, under the baton of Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Kristian Bezuidenhout will be joined by Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat major KV482, with Ton Koopman on the podium. Nikolai Lugansky will deliver Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54, with the Bavarian State Orchestra Munich conducted by Kent Nagano. French pianist Hélène Grimaud will interpret Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major with Sydney Symphony Orchestra, directed by Vladimir Ashkenazy. German soprano Christiane Oelze will be on stage with NDR Sinfonieorchester, bringing to the audience Symphony No. 4 by Mahler. The Austrian composer’s Symphony No. 5 will be presented by Orchestre National de France, under the baton of Daniele Gatti. The Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra St. Petersburg, with Valery Gergiev on the podium, will play Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major. The spotlight will also be on Lise de la Salle, Paavo Järvi, Herbert Blomstedt, Andris Nelsons, Cristóbal Halffter, Franz Welser-Möst, Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, and many others.

Website: http://www.musikfest-bremen.de

Date: August 21 to September 11, 2010
Country: Germany

Situated in the historic city of Bremen, north-western Germany, the Festival aims to present classical music with high standard, and has been a showcase for renowned artists and rising talents.

In the 2010 edition, Hélène Grimaud will be joined by Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, to play Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54, with Paavo Järvi on the podium. Viktoria Mullova will be on stage with Helsinki Baroque Orchestra, to perform J. S. Bach’s Violin Concerto in E major BWV1042, under the baton of Reinhard Goebel. Cellist Sol Gabetta will team up with pianist Dejan Lazić and violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja, to deliver Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C major Op. 56, accompanied by Kammerorchester Basel. Soprano Olga Mykytenko and vocalists will interpret Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, with Bremer Philharmoniker. British conductor Daniel Harding will direct soloists, Swedish Radio Choir and Mahler Chamber Orchestra, bringing to the audience Elias by Mendelssohn. The spotlight will also be on Jos van Immerseel, Lise de la Salle, Janine Jansen, Maxim Rysanov, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Quatuor Ebène, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre des Champs-Elysées, and many others.

Website: http://www.meranofestival.com

Date: August 24 to September 27, 2010
Country: Italy

Launched in 1986, the Festival is held annually in the spa town of Merano, northern Italy. It aims to present classical music with high standard, and has been a showcase for renowned artists and performers.

In the 25th edition this year, Fazil Say will team up with Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, to play a series of his own compositions, as well as Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major. Young Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki will be joined by Sinfonietta Cracovia, to perform Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor by Chopin. Pinchas Zukerman will lead the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to interpret Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor. Kent Nagano will direct the Bavarian State Orchestra, to deliver Symphony No. 7 by Bruckner. Early music specialist Emma Kirkby will be on stage with Ensemble Florilegium, to present Stabat Mater by Pergolesi. At the closing night, Norwegian soprano Solveig Kringlebotn will bring to the audience Richard Struass’ Four Last Songs, with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christian Zacharias. The spotlight will also be on Pietro De Maria, Franz Welser-Möst, the Cleveland Orchestra, Venice Baroque Orchestra, and others.

Website: http://www.schubertiade.at/

Date: August 27 to September 12, 2010
Country: Austria

Founded in 1976 by German baritone Hermann Prey, the Festival is held in the towns of Schwarzenberg and Hohenems, located in Vorarlberg, western Austria. Being the world’s premier to celebrate the music by Schubert, it is a showcase for internationally acclaimed artists and performers.

In the 2010 Summer edition to be held in Schwarzenberg, a series of works by the namesake composer will be presented. French pianist David Fray will play in his recital Four Impromtus D. 899; cellist Sol Gabetta will deliver Arpeggione Sonata in A minor D. 821; bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff will interpret song cycles Die schöne Müllerin and Winterreise; Ian Bostridge will perform a number of Songs; and Emerson String Quartet will bring to the audience String Quartet No. 15 in G major. Meanwhile, Piotr Anderszewski will present J. S. Bach’s English Suites No. 3 and 5. Paul Lewis will play Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major “Waldstein” by Beethoven. In the performance by Andreas Scholl, works by Purcell, Händel and Dowland will be interpreted. Clarinetist Sabine Meyer will team up with Hagen Quartet, to deliver Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A major K. 581. The spotlight will also be on Elisabeth Leonskaja, Dame Felicity Lott, Tokyo String Quartet, Capuçon Quartet, and many others.