Casa da Música chooses Austria as nation-theme for 2018

The Casa da Música, in Porto, shall devote the year 2018 to Austria. This country had already been the theme for 2010.

Next year, the venue will programme the symphonies by Anton Bruckner and the Concertos for Violin by Mozart. The residential composer will be Austrian composer Georg Friederich Haas, "one of the finest nowadays", whose work will be subject to a review background, starting January.

The association artists will be German harpsichord player Andreas Staier and Austrian violinist Benjamin Schmid, whereas Gonçalo Gato becomes the youngest Composer, Resident at Casa da Música during the year 2018.

According to the Artistic Director of Casa da Música, António Jorge Pacheco, the fact that Austria has been selected arises from the fact that it has a "positively inexhaustible programme regarding composers".

"The "Austria Year" is a real feast for the four Resident artistic projects, with an endless repertoire".

One of the most significant concerts in 2018 will happen 24 February, with The Symphony Orchestra Choir interpreting "Gurre-Lieder", by Arnold Schoenberg, a piece that is rarely played and that will debut in Porto.

The official opening of the year devoted to Austria will happen 12 January, with the Symphony Orchestra of Porto interpreting Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 7, conducted by Michael Sanderling.

The opening cycle runs till 21 January and includes "Te Deum", by Bruckner and the piece "In Vain", by Haas and by Remix Ensemble.

As usual, the Invicta Music Films runs from 17 to 20 February, with particular reference to Wolfgang Mitterer's "Das Kabinett des Doktor Caligari" and also "On the Waterfront" by Elia Kazan, with soundtrack by Leonard Bernstein.

The programming for next year at Casa da Música includes a Jazz Cycle as well, featuring renowned artists such as Terence Blanchard and Joshua Redman.