Kamen delights in a symphonic city trip with music by Piazzolla and Gershwin

Kamen delights in a symphonic city trip with music by Piazzolla and Gershwin

The musical city trip of the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen was an impressive event that took place on October 8, 2025 in the concert hall in Kamen. Under the direction of general music director Rasmus Baumann, who acted as both conductor and tour guide, the audience was taken on a musical tour of discovery through various metropolises.

The event not only offered special instrumental travel souvenirs, but was also characterized by a unique program that ranged from the sounds of Argentina to the jazz rhythms of New York and the melodies of Istanbul. Particularly noteworthy was the encore, in which Frank Dupree and Rasmus Baumann alternated on the piano, which gave the performance an additional dynamic. Dupree once again illustrates his preference for jazz-soaked classical music, emphasizing the stylistic diversity of the performance.

Sounds from Buenos Aires and New York

The evening began with the impressive sounds of Astor Piazzolla and his work “Tangazo”, which was interpreted by the violinists under the direction of Misha Nodelmann. The music reflected the pulsating everyday life of the Argentine city and led the audience through various emotional facets of tango. This was followed by rearranging the chairs and instruments, which initiated the musical journey to New York.

Frank Dupree impressed with Gershwin's “Concerto in F,” which was originally composed for the city of New York. The performance had jazz elements and echoes of Gershwin's best-known work, "Rhapsody in Blue." The audience rewarded both the soloist and the entire orchestra with great applause, with the female trumpeter in particular receiving much applause for her performance.

The way to Istanbul

The third stop on the musical city trip was Istanbul. Under the direction of Fazıl Say, an important living musician from Turkey, his “Istanbul Symphony”, which premiered in Dortmund in 2010, was performed. This combines classical oriental sounds with contemporary elements and meets the diversity demands that Kamen places on his events.

Special instruments, such as the ney flute and kanun, as well as hand drums played by Murat Çakmaz, Mehmet Boyaci and Christian Meyer, enriched the performance and took the audience on a sonic journey through the historical and cultural landscape of Istanbul.

The “Istanbul Symphony” and the selection of pieces by Piazzolla and Gershwin illustrate Fazıl Say's intention to build bridges between different musical styles and between East and West - a central aspect of his work.

Outlook for upcoming concerts

The next event in the symphonic series will take place on November 16th in Kamen and will be mystical. The theme is witches and ghosts, and the audience can look forward to exciting sounds.

The musical city trip was undoubtedly a complete success and was enthusiastically celebrated by the audience. Information about the upcoming series of the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen can be found on the Philharmonie's website, which contains, among other things, the details of the concerts in Gelsenkirchen, Recklinghausen and Herne that took place before and after Kamen. Kamen Web also offers further details, reporting on the city's cultural highlights.

For further impressions and facts about this event and the current season, please visit Came web or New Philharmonic Westphalia.