Dorothee Oberlinger is the undisputed queen of the recorder, critically acclaimed and the recipient of many awards. She has made a significant contribution to making the recorder, which is disliked by many, more popular again. Similarly, Nils Mönkemeyer, one of the most successful violists, has brought enormous attention to his instrument. Together they now span a wide arc through music history, from Hildegard von Bingen to Luciano Berio.

“His reputation as a guitarist is almost mystical,” says the New York Times about Habib Koité, “he combines rock and classical techniques with Malian tunings that make the guitar sound like a kora or n'goni.” It is mainly because of his rousing live performances that he has become one of the great stars of world music: a musician and storyteller who makes his musical roots accessible to a wide audience with charisma and skill.

With Rathenau, German history would have taken a different course, but his assassination on 24 June 1922 robbed the country of this highly gifted Jewish bourgeois who was committed to peace and economic cooperation. Journalist and bestselling author Thomas Hüetlin resurrects the tragic events - and draws parallels to the present. "A brilliantly narrated book of our time" praises the Süddeutsche Zeitung, "a fulminant reportage" the ZEIT.

Pianist and composer Malakoff Kowalski is – as Igor Levit puts it: “Brilliant. Brave, naked, intense, raw. Ultimately, that's what real art is about: when the artist talks about himself and the listener feels he's hearing his own story.” Kowalski makes you fell like home. Somewhere sacred between classical, jazz and theater.

The 14-piece orchestra from the successful ARD series “Babylon Berlin” is now touring the country. The programme will include the hit of the series “Zu Asche zu Staub”, with which they bring back the music and lifestyle of the 1920s and literally invite the concertgoer to the “Moka Efti”, one of Berlin's entertainment palaces of the 1920s and a prominent location from the series “Babylon Berlin”!

The father-daughter duo Julia and Clemens Hagen founded the "Duo Hagen" in 2021. Master cellist Clemens Hagen has been performing on all the world's great stages for decades, while his daughter Julia is well on her way to a great career. For the family duo, making music together is something very special and unites the joy of music on a family level - with wonderful and highly entertaining repertoire for cello duo.

Internationally, the relationship between colonial crimes and the Holocaust has long been debated. Are Jewish victims favored in memory over African victims? The debates surrounding the Humboldt Forum are now also forcing Germany to confront its colonial past. What distinguishes racism from anti-Semitism? Will it ultimately be possible to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and colonialism without relativizing history?

South African Abel Selaocoe is the rapidly rising star in the cello sky. Together with the extremely versatile and busy South African violist Gareth Lubbe, the musicians combine genres on this evening: their programme moves effortlessly between genres and styles and ranges from Bach to beatboxing to the phenomenal world of overtone singing.

Dave Dargie is one of South Africa's leading ethnomusicologists. His extensive research over several decades has led to incredible revelations about the overtone-rich musical culture of the Xhosa people of his country. The art of harmonic and throat singing will be introduced to the audience who will also be given the opportunity to try out this vocal phenomenon which is found in many ancient cultures around the world.

In midst the Bavarian Alps, Bartender Keven McFarland invites you on an herbal hike to Elmauer Alm. As you scout for wild herbs, fruits, and roots, Marie Rausch, beverage chef and owner of the Rotkehlchen restaurant in Münster, will share her expertise about herbs and their many uses. Referencing The Botanist Gin and with the help of Enrico Albrecht, Brand Ambassador and expert for Essences & Spirits at Rémy Cointreau, you will produce the age-old home remedy Oximel yourself at Elmauer Alm, using the nearly-forgotten technique of steam juicing to extract essences.

In midst the Bavarian Alps, Bartender Keven McFarland invites you on an herbal hike to Elmauer Alm. As you scout for wild herbs, fruits, and roots, Marie Rausch, beverage chef and owner of the Rotkehlchen restaurant in Münster, will share her expertise about herbs and their many uses. Referencing The Botanist Gin and with the help of Enrico Albrecht, Brand Ambassador and expert for Essences & Spirits at Rémy Cointreau, you will produce the age-old home remedy Oximel yourself at Elmauer Alm, using the nearly-forgotten technique of steam juicing to extract essences.

The devil and the nobility only exist if you believe in them, said the romantic revolutionary Heinrich Heine. After 1918, there was neither monarchy nor nobility in Germany - but did the Hohenzollerns become Hitler's stirrup holders? And what has been the truth since then about the German myth of the “king sleeping in the mountain”? Stephan Malinowski, one of Germany's leading historians and professor at the University of Edinburgh, published the “non-fiction book of the year” (SZ) with his “groundbreaking” (FAS) study “Die Hohenzollern und die Nazis” 2021.

The pianist Martin Stadtfeld hardly needs an introduction; he is one of the most sought-after and successful German pianists: competition wins, ECHO Klassik awards, concerts up and down the country and thousands of CDs sold speak for themselves. His programmes are also full of ideas - the latest one with "folk songs", a fond memory from his childhood, he now brings to Schloss Elmau. Frank-Thomas Mitschke will read texts and poems.

Helge Schneider, one of Germany's most popular entertainers, has been at home on the stages of this world for over 40 years now with his combination of jazz music, parody and improvisation - and will be a guest at Schloss Elmau for the first time in July!
In a highly entertaining evening, the comedian, cabaret artist, writer, film and theater director, actor and multi-instrumentalist will present his new program “A Man and His Guitar”.

Bigband jazz made in Bavaria. The Jazzrausch Bigband has made it its mission to inspire its audience with creative music-making. With an average of 120 concerts a year, it is one of the busiest big bands in Europe and brings together jazz fans and dance fans with “power of sound, groove and enormous stage presence” (FAZ) like probably no comparable ensemble currently. Groove with brains, electro with horns, jazz in a frenzy.

A “master of musical craftsmanship” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), endowed with a “winged virtuosity” (Classica) and “one of the greatest of her generation” (Piano Magazine), Shani Diluka is regularly invited by eminent orchestras and conductors. Born in Monaco to Sri Lankan parents, she bridges the gap between East and West. She studied with great masters such as Leon Fleisher and Menahem Pressler.

Sein langes kreatives Leben über führte Ingmar Bergman Arbeitstagebücher: kleine Spiralhefte, in denen er erste Entwürfe seiner Geschichten niederschrieb und auch während der Arbeit an einem Film oder Buch weiter Notizen machte. Diese Auswahl aus den Heften bietet nun einen einzigartigen Einblick in seinen kreativen Arbeitsprozess, zeigt aber auch den Menschen und Künstler Bergman noch einmal ganz neu. Es ist nicht zuletzt ein Bericht darüber, wie ein großer Künstler seine unvergesslichen Geschichten und Bilder zum Leben erweckt.

Die Schauspielerin Elisabet Vogler ist während einer „Elektra“-Vorstellung plötzlich verstummt. Sie hat seit drei Monaten nicht gesprochen und wird der Pflege einer Krankenschwester anvertraut.
Zwischen den beiden Frauen, der schweigenden und der sprechenden, entwickelt sich eine intensive Beziehung bis an die Grenzen der absoluten Identifikation, der Identitätsauflösung. Da Elisabet als körperlich und geistig gesund gilt, muss ihr Verstummen als ein willentlicher Akt, als Widerstandshandlung verstanden werden. Das Problem von Sprache als Mittel der Verständigung steht im Zentrum des Films „Persona“ von Ingmar Bergman aus dem Jahr 1966.

Canadian Rufus Wainwright is considered one of the most outstanding singers, composers and songwriters of our time, skilfully crossing the boundaries and paths between pop and classical music. After an intimate solo evening last summer, the critically and publicly acclaimed star will now perform for the first time with the renowned singer Danielle de Niese, whom the New York Times Magazine called "opera's coolest soprano".

Hailed by the music press as “one of the most gifted female pianists of her generation” and recipient of many international awards, German-Italian pianist Sophie Pacini invites us to share a moment from her latest solo album. In her own words: “In this programme, I have combined pieces from my current album “PUZZLE” which have accompanied and reassured me in seemingly small, but ultimately crucial moments of my life.” Sophie will present works by Chopin, Scriabin and Liszt.

Eigentlich klingt es ganz leicht: Frau ist begabt und klug, also kann sie ganz nach oben kommen. Aber oft genug ist der eine Platz schon besetzt, es scheint nämlich ein dämliches Gesetz zu geben, das lautet: Eine Frau reicht, mehr brauchen wir nicht. Die Komikerin, Schauspielerin und Feministin Carolin Kebekus stellt ihr neues Buch vor - pointiert, unmissverständlich und gleichzeitig urkomisch: Dass die Zeit überreif ist, alte (Männer-) Gesetze auf den Müll zu werfen.

His recording successes with Deutsche Grammophon made the young guitarist MILOŠ known worldwide within a very short time and made him "classical music's guitar hero" (BBC Music Magazine). Now, in his new programme "Homage to Segovia", he embarks on a varied journey from Germany with Johann Sebastian Bach to the stirring works of the Spanish and Brazilian composers Isaac Albéniz and Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Acclaimed for his technical mastery and musical intelligence, Siberian-born pianist Pavel Kolesnikov is also celebrated for his thought-provoking programming and fresh perspective on familiar works. He continues to fulfill the promise of his early entry onto the world stage, as grand prize winner of the Honens competition in 2012. Kolesnikov was honoured in 2019 with the Critics' Circle Young Talent Award for piano, praised for his “intensely personal interpretations” and “crusading vision”.

An artistic vein is probably a tradition in Viktoria Tolstoy's family: her great-great-grandfather was the Russian national poet Leo Tolstoy. The Swede is perhaps the most brilliant of all Scandinavian jazz singers with a voice that is both crystal clear and earthy. She has worked with legends like Esbjörn Svensson and big names of today's jazz scene like Nils Landgren. She is now joined by the Swedish trio around pianist Claes Crona.

Warschau 2014: Saturnin, ein alleinstehender Handelsvertreter und ehemaliger Leistungssportler, erhält eines Abends einen Anruf von seiner Mutter: Sein 96jähriger Großvater Tadeusz ist verschwunden. Entschlossen fährt er in sein Heimatdorf, um den Vermissten zu suchen.Wie in einer Familienchronik entfaltet sich die Geschichte dreier Generationen. Sie ist stark von den Erlebnissen eines Mannes geprägt, der vor allem eines war: ein zärtlich liebender Musiker, der nie Soldat sein wollte und wider Willen zum rächenden Partisanen wurde. Später wird er sich in tiefes Schweigen vergraben.

Gautier Capuçon is unquestionably one of the outstanding cellists of our time and is also a welcome guest at Schloss Elmau. The master cellist will be joined by the Turkish-born pianist Gülru Ensari, who can be heard in many major concert halls, especially in a piano duo with Herbert Schuch. On this evening, the two musicians will perform some of the great works for violoncello and piano.

Magdalena Kozena, one of the world's leading mezzo-sopranos, comes to Schloss Elmau for the first time. She will be joined by Yefim Bronfman, one of the great pianists of our time. Both musicians are linked by an intensive collaboration with numerous concerts and a CD recording. On the programme this evening are works of German Romanticism and rarely heard song cycles by Eastern European composers.

Four hands and four feet on two pianos: Two each belong to Marialy Pacheco, winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival Piano Solo Competition. Her sensual playing is a blend of traditional Cuban music and jazz. The others belong to Omar Sosa, who combines Latin jazz and African spiritualism, European classical music and sounds of the American West Coast. Together they present for the first time their new program "Manos" - a musical tribute to their homeland Cuba.

With “Walchensee Forever”, Janna Ji Wonders impressively tells the story of her family, which spans an entire century. To uncover the secrets of her family and its role in the chain of generations, Wonders takes us from the family café on the Bavarian Walchensee to Mexico to San Francisco to the “Summer of Love”, to Indian ashrams, a harem, and always back to Walchensee.

Millions of YouTube viewers can't be wrong. With more than 45 million clicks, the musicians Igudesman & Joo have taken the world by storm with their hilarious stage shows. The musicians combine humour with classical music and allusions to pop culture, filling classical concert halls as well as entire stadiums. Now they present their new programme “And Now Rachmaninov” at Schloss Elmau.

The new show, not only promises the return of the “Big Hands” and other classics of the duo's penmanship that involve the Russian giant, such as “Rachmaninov by Himself”, but also new mash-ups and songs that will include “They Call Me Sergei” – a humorous autobiographical song about the composer's hardships, and more recent numbers such as “Staying at Home”, blending the music of the Bee Gees with Rachmaninov.

The Musicbanda Franui from the inner alpine region and the duo from the Viennese lowlands have long since agreed on a summit meeting. “Franzensfeste” is the title and it promises to be a great celebration for Franz.
“Franzensfeste” is the latest in a series of programmes in which the East Tyrolean Musicbanda dedicates itself to classical and romantic composers, including Schubert, Franui's “soul mate”.

Violinist Emmanuel Tjeknavorian is already one of the great artistic personalities of his generation. Daniel Müller-Schott is one of the world's most sought-after cellists. Anna Vinnitskaya's piano playing is characterised by the highest virtuosity and poetic depth. These three exceptional musicians have come together to form a top-class trio and, after starting their collaboration for concerts at the major classical music festivals this summer, can now also be heard at Schloss Elmau.

Dieter Ilg has been one of the influential voices of European jazz for years. His electrifying vitality, intelligent curiosity, technical brilliance and total dedication to the moment have earned him his international reputation to this day. Since 2010, he has formed a permanent, award-winning trio with pianist Rainer Böhm and drummer Patrice Héral, whose recordings have been awarded the ECHO JAZZ prize twice, among others.

Pianist, producer and composer Francesco Tristano walks effortlessly between the world of classical music and the universe of new sound formats. This evening he presents his new album “On Early Music”.

Highest virtuosity and poetic depth: Anna Vinnitskaya can not only ignite spectacular fireworks, but also paint great paintings. Her technical brilliance is never a virtuoso end in itself, but always a means of expression. Since winning 1st prize at the Concours Reine Elisabeth in Brussels in 2007, Anna Vinnitskaya has made a major international chart and plays with the most important orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic under Kirill Petrenko.

Two evenings are dedicated to the Swedish multi-talent Hugo Ticciati. He has named his innovative concept “O/Modernt”, Swedish for “Un/Modern”, and refers to a group of world-class fellow musicians who redefine classical parameters. The philosophy of O/Modernt is future-oriented and passionate, the program compositions innovative and stirring – true to the great composer John Cage: “Invent the past”!

Two evenings are dedicated to the Swedish multi-talent Hugo Ticciati. He has named his innovative concept “O/Modernt,” Swedish for “Un/Modern”, and refers to a group of world-class fellow musicians who redefine classical parameters. The philosophy of O/Modernt is future-oriented and passionate, the program compositions innovative and stirring – true to the great composer John Cage: “Invent the past”!

Max Mutzke is probably one of the most versatile artists our country has to offer. His talent, his creative versatility and his down-to-earthness are the pillars on which the singer-songwriter's incredible success is based.

Ulrich Tukur und Christian Redl wollen an die Anfänge, an den Ursprung von Theater erinnern: Den Text, die Sprache mit der man eine gute Geschichte erzählt. Neben ihren Lieblingsgedichten haben sich beide dazu noch eine fast in Vergessenheit geratene Form ausgesucht: Die Ballade. Wie der Kriminalroman lebt sie von Spannungsmomenten und Knalleffekten. Und wie in diesem verwandten Genre geht es immer um Mord, Ehebruch, Verführung, Kindsmord und unerwiderter Liebe. Nur mit ihrer Stimme und ihrer Mimik zaubern Tukur und Redl mit Texten von Goethe über Fontane bis zu Brecht und Enzensberger phantastische Welten auf die Bühne, die, weil es immer um Schicksale von Menschen geht, tief berühren. Die Pianistin Olena Kushpler reagiert am Klavier auf die Texte mit Musikstücken u.a. von Liszt, Satie, Schönberg und Schumann, die oft zeitgleich zu den Gedichten entstanden.

Cristina Branco is one of the most important Portuguese voices: countless concerts all over the world and in major concert halls from the Elbphilharmonie to the Vienna Musikverein speak for themselves. Fado is the traditional song of her homeland - and it is, also traditionally, rather melancholy. In her neo-fado, she breaks with this tradition and also sings a lot about the beauties of life. “Fado is like tango”, she says, “the music of those who have a great soul”.

American baritone Thomas Hampson has enjoyed a unique worldwide career as an opera, concert and lieder singer. He has performed nearly a hundred operatic roles, recorded over 170 albums and sung close to a thousand songs. Among these, of course, is Schubert's "Winterreise", which marks the beginning of a first collaboration with the sought-after pianist William Youn, who has received rave reviews for his complete recording of all Schubert piano sonatas on SONY.

Particularly noted for his “shimmering voice” (BachTrack), Grammy nominated countertenor Reginald Mobley enjoys a prolific career in the States and has become a highly sought-after soloist in Europe. His repertoire goes far beyond the conventional countertenor repertoire. Together with Baptiste Trotignon who is considered one of the best jazz pianists of his generation, he will perform songs from his first solo recording “Spirituals”, which is being released this year.