Art and culture are not the privilege of large cities - on the contrary: in Radstadt, with its population of just under 5,000, Elisabeth Schneider, festival director and head of the established cultural institution Kulturkreis Das Zentrum, has been presenting an exceptional concert and cultural program for over 35 years.
The festival has been an insider tip among music lovers for years. Old acquaintances and exciting new discoveries bring life to the "Old Town in the Mountains" at the foot of the Radstädter Tauern. Organ music in the spirit of Paul Hofhaimer, considered the most important organist of his time (born 1459 in Radstadt, died 1537), cantatas by J. S. Bach and an audiovisual open-air performance on the town wall form the frame of reference for early music and new sounds.
Organist Martin Riccabona and the Bachwerkvokal ensemble call their program "Himmelwärts" (Heavenwards). The organ cycle L'Ascension by the French composer Olivier Messiaen is considered one of the most groundbreaking pieces of organ music of the 20th century and is the focus of the program. The visual artist Florian Nitsch (live projections) and the musician Toni Burger (violin and electronics) improvise and create live projections on the city wall including the city tower (Hexenturm) together from the moment, thus creating a lively, unique work of art. The two South Tyrolean musicians Manuel Randi (acoustic guitar) and Alex Trebo (piano) offer "instrumental acrobatics". Their stylistic diversity ranges from jazz, bossa nova and Italian swing to ambient and African reminiscences and Bach.
Duo Manuel Randi & Alex Trebo © Tiberio Sorvillo
Ich bin maßlos in allem is the title of the book about the fateful love affair between the great Austrian poet Christine Lavant and the painter Werner Berg. The two actors Maria Hofstätter and Wolfram Berger read from the correspondence, which documents an existential artistic connection beyond all conventions.
The performance of the festival-proven Minguet Quartet can be described as a musical highlight. Their passionate and intelligent interpretations make for an inspiring listening experience.
Unconventional musical encounters in unusual spaces complete the program: early music and new sounds are made audible here.
May 28 to June 1, 2025
