Hans Werner Henze »Symphony No. 9« in Luzern

A Symphony Against Forgetting

»What unfolds in this symphony is nothing less than an apotheosis of terror and suffering… Yet while it reflects a deeply German reality, the work is above all a powerful tribute to those who resisted the horrors of Nazi tyranny and gave their lives for the freedom of thought.« Inspired by Anna Seghers’ novel »The Seventh Cross«, Hans Werner Henze composed his Ninth Symphony as a deeply personal reckoning with the Nazi era – experiences that, as a young man, shaped him into a committed anti-fascist. Across seven striking movements, he confronts this dark chapter of history with unflinching intensity.

Henze’s Ninth at the Repertoire’s Core

The Rundfunkchor Berlin shares a special bond with this landmark choral symphony, having given its world premiere alongside the Berlin Philharmonic on 11 September 1997. Since then, it has remained a cornerstone of the choir’s repertoire. Now, under the baton of Chief Conductor Joanna Mallwitz and joined by the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the Rundfunkchor brings this compelling work back to the stage – both in Berlin and in Lucerne.