The Kora is a West African harp instrument with 21 strings, traditionally played by men. Sona Jobarteh has broken this old rule! She plays the kora standing up and demonstrates her complex musical skills on stage as the front woman of her own band. In her compositions she uniquely combines the influences of modern music with traditional African music and thus remains connected to the roots of her homeland..

The Jazzrausch Bigband has become famous for its explosive mix of big band jazz and technoid rhythms. It is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and is presenting a total of ten different programmes at Schloss Elmau as Ensemble in Residence 2024. On this concert evening, the band has dedicated itself to Gustav Mahler's 5th Symphony, which Mahler himself struggled with for a long time: "My 5th Symphony is a cursed work. Nobody understands it," the composer complained. He couldn't yet think of the obvious solution: "It was written for techno big bands, although they didn't even exist back then," says Jazzrausch Big Band founder Roman Sladek with a twinkle in his eye.

Further concert dates: Thu 3 October, Sat, 5 October, Sat 28 December

Im 16. Jahrhundert ändert sich die Welt von Grund auf. Mit der Entdeckung Amerikas entsteht zugleich der Anspruch einer europäischen Herrschaft über diese „neue“ Welt. Die Literaturwissenschaftlerin Marina Münkler durchmisst dieses dramatische Zeitalter der Entdeckungen und Konflikte, schildert die Medienrevolution des Buchdrucks und die Reformation, die Geburt der modernen Naturforschung, aber auch Bauernkriege und Hexenverbrennungen. Ein Jahrhundert, das in jeder Hinsicht grundstürzend war – und das, wie Marina Münkler zeigt, viel mit uns verbindet.

In 2023, rapper Roger Rekless, singer Eva Ahoulou and pianist Matthias Bublath faced a major challenge: they were commissioned by „Bayerischer Rundfunk“ to transform six songs relating to the year 1923 into the present day in six weeks and perform these songs on stage in a concert. They were accompanied by a „BR“ camera team. The result is the documentary #Challenge1923 (ARD media centre).
Rekless, Ahoulou and Bublath were not only concerned with how to deal with music, but also with topics that were topical 100 years ago and still are today: Everyday racism, discrimination, but also the unifying power of music! This project can now be experienced live at Schloss Elmau in film, in conversation and as a concert.

How would music from 1923 by Bessie Smith, Lil Hardin or W.C. Handy sound nowadays? For the documentary #Challenge1923 (ARD-Mediathek), the three musicians were commissioned by Bayerischer Rundfunk to transform six songs in relation to the year 1923 into the present day within six weeks and perform these songs on stage in a concert on July 26, 2023. They were accompanied during this process by a camera team of the Bayerische Rundfunk for a film documentary. Now Rekless, Ahoulou and Bublath will present the music live again for the first time on stage in Schloss Elmau - a concert experience not to be missed!

Wolfgang Haffner is Germany's most successful drummer of recent decades and has been highly decorated with awards. He proves his class time and again in a variety of projects - fortunately also regularly on stage at Schloss Elmau. In this concert, he presents their programme ‘Take Five’ with his trio partners (Simon Oslender & Thomas Stieger) as well as trumpeter Sebastian Studnitzky and vibraphonist Christopher Dell.

Germany's "best" (Die Welt) and "coolest" (ARD ttt) drummer as well as the "most important drummer of his generation" (Süddeutsche Zeitung) - these are all superlatives with which Wolfgang Haffner is honoured by the experts. On this evening, the two-time ECHO Jazz Award winner will present his latest album ‘Life Rhythm’ with his trio, which will be released by ACT in autumn 2024.

The young cellist LiLa comes from China and studied at the famous Juilliard School in New York. She has been honoured at many international competitions and was also the youngest prizewinner at the 2014 International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Moscow. Before her concert at the major Verbier Festival in Switzerland, she is now performing a cello recital at Schloss Elmau for the first time. Her piano partner is the accomplished pianist Julien Quentin, who has already been on the stage with many great musicians.

Waltz dancing in the concert hall of Schloss Elmau is back
For decades, the pianist Otto Ludwig characterised dancing to piano music in Elmau. Now we are reviving this famous Elmau tradition – the renowned pianist Julien Quentin will be playing waltzes from Chopin to Tchaikovsky in the Great Hall. All levels of dancers are welcome, it's all about the joy of waltzing. In addition to the dance floor, there are also seating areas where you can take a break and simply enjoy the music and atmosphere.
Duration: 20:00 – 21:30 incl. intermission

The film tells the story of a wife suspected of murder. After her husband dies in unexplained circumstances, she finds herself in the middle of the investigation. As is typical of the legal drama genre, numerous secrets are revealed in the search for the truth. The film shines with its unique dramaturgy and acting, especially from lead actress Sandra Hüller.

Nach dem großen Erfolg seines Buchs "Februar 33" stellt der Schriftsteller und Journalist Uwe Wittstock nun sein neues Buch vor, in dem er sich dem Schicksal der Emigranten widmet.
Juni 1940: Hitlers Wehrmacht hat Frankreich besiegt. Die Gestapo fahndet nach Heinrich Mann, Franz Werfel, nach Hannah Arendt und unzähligen anderen, die in Frankreich Asyl gefunden haben. Derweil kommt der Amerikaner Varian Fry nach Marseille, um so viele von ihnen wie möglich zu retten. Szenisch dicht und feinfühlig erzählt Uwe Wittstock von unfassbarem Mut und größter Verzweiflung. Das Gespräch mit dem Autor führt die Literaturwissenschaftlerin Rachel Salamander.

Ein Liederabend über die Liebe von und mit Florian Paul, Komponist und Frontmann der angesagten Münchner Band „Kapelle der letzten Hoffnung“, und Schauspielerin Liliane Amuat, die am Residenztheater in großen Rollen wie Tony Buddenbrook und Lulu sowie in Filmen wie „Das Mädchen und die Spinne" zu erleben ist. Sie wurde 2021 mit dem Bayerischen Kunstförderpreis ausgezeichnet.

Am Anfang dieser Geschichte steht die Schlaflosigkeit. Und ein Erzähler, der sich nichts sehnlicher wünscht, als davon befreit zu werden. Zurück ins Glück. Geheilt sein. Nach dem hochgelobten Debüt greift Timon Karl Kaleyta in seinem zweiten Roman den allgegenwärtigen Wunsch nach Heilung auf, um von etwas so Aktuellem wie universell Menschlichem zu erzählen: Was als Kuraufenthalt beginnt, von dem sich der Protagonist ein Ende seiner durchwachten Nächte erhofft, wird zu einer rastlosen Suche nach dem Glück. Aber wie findet man das Glück heute?

He is one of the great pianists of our time: Evgeny Kissin has been performing on stages around the world for over three decades, impressing audiences as a virtuoso and as a serious pianist dedicated exclusively to music. Recently, he has also emerged as a political artist, taking a stand against his native Russia and condemning the attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms in a public discussion at Schloss Elmau. On this August evening, he will take his seat at the Elmau grand piano for the first time for a piano recital with works by Beethoven, Chopin and Prokofiev.

There is hardly a musical summit that singer Thomas Quasthoff has not yet stormed. It is no coincidence that the three-time Grammy winner and recipient of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is one of Germany's most important artistic personalities. In the year of his 50th stage anniversary, the artist will once again showcase his full diversity when he performs one of his anniversary concerts at Schloss Elmau - a venue with which he has a long history and numerous concerts.

Marcus Willaschek presents his book “Kant – Die Revolution des Denkens“

The American pianist Claire Huangci is the winner of the first prize and the Mozart Prize at the important Concours Géza Anda 2018. She gives guest performances worldwide with important orchestras and plays piano recitals in the major concert halls. The Salzburger Nachrichten attested to her “glittering virtuosity, creative sovereignty, wide-awake interaction and subtle sound dramaturgy”. Inspired by an irrepressible spirit of exploration, she demonstrates her versatility with an unusually broad repertoire. She is also an ambassador for G. Henle Verlag.

Big band jazz made in Bavaria. Like no other big band, the Jazzrausch Bigband stands for an energetic fusion of electronic music and jazz.
This year, the band is celebrating its tenth anniversary and will be presenting a total of ten different programmes at Schloss Elmau as Ensemble in Residence 2024.
Further concert dates: Sat 28 December

Big band jazz made in Bavaria. Like no other big band, the Jazzrausch Bigband stands for an energetic fusion of electronic music and jazz.
This year, the band is celebrating its tenth anniversary and will be presenting a total of ten different programmes at Schloss Elmau as Ensemble in Residence 2024.
Further concert dates: Sat 28 December

The Swiss instrument Hang, an sounding body with a meditative sound, has made the Tyrolean Manu Delago a star – and a video on YouTube that was clicked almost 5 million times. He is responsible for sold-out houses from India to Mexico, from the USA to Germany. World stars like the Icelandic pop icon work closely with him. Now the Tyrolean musician and composer can be experienced for the first time in Schloss Elmau and presents a splendid interplay of experimental pop, detail-loving electronics and rocky chamber music.

„In einer Zeit vor der Schrift war unser Sternenhimmel ein Kino der Nacht“ (Raoul Schrott). Mit ihrer ungeheuren Einbildungskraft haben die Menschen in den Sternen ihre ältesten Kunstwerke geschaffen und dadurch ihre Kulturen dargestellt. Raoul Schrott präsentiert 17 Sternenhimmel von allen Kontinenten. Unser Großer Wagen war für die Maya ein göttlicher Papagei, für die Inka der einbeinige Gott des Gewitters, für die Inuit ein Elch, für die Araber eine Totenbahre.