Karneval der Klänge – Deutsche Radio Philharmonie

Classics for the Fifth Season

While the Kaiserslautern carnival season celebrates its peak with gala sessions, guard performances, and satirical speeches, the Karneval der Klänge offers its own form of festive music: The Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, the joint orchestra of Saarländischer Rundfunk and Südwestrundfunk, is a regular guest at the Fruchthalle Kaiserslautern, presenting a program that translates the festive mood of carnival into symphonic form. On February 15, 2026, at 5 p.m., the concert will take place in its current iteration.

Christoph Koncz at the Helm

The musical direction is by Christoph Koncz, an increasingly internationally sought-after conductor with Hungarian-Austrian roots, who also performs as a violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic. Koncz's conducting combines historically informed performance practice with classical-romantic repertoire and is particularly suited for Viennese dance music – to which this concert is programmatically linked.

Annija Adamsone as Soprano Soloist

The Latvian soprano Annija Adamsone performs as the vocal soloist. She represents a young generation of lyric sopranos who interpret the repertoire of Viennese and French operetta and concert literature with a fresh voice and stylish phrasing. Her contributions to the Karneval der Klänge include arias and concert pieces from the late Romantic and French festive music genres.

Program – Strauss, Chabrier, and More

The program aims to unite three sonic traditions. Viennese elegance is represented by works from Johann Strauss Father and Son – waltzes, polkas, and overtures that immediately evoke the atmosphere of the Vienna New Year's Concert. Slavic passion comes to the fore through selected pieces from the Slavic repertoire. French esprit is characterized by works from Emmanuel Chabrier and his contemporaries, music that provides a counterpoint to the Viennese tradition with pointed wit, elegant rhythm, and virtuosic orchestration.