Fall sees Gilbert return to the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra for works by Bartók and Brahms, with Rudolf Buchbinder as soloist in the latter’s Second Piano Concerto (Dec 1 & 2). The Gewandhaus Orchestra is another of the venerable German ensembles where Gilbert is a favored guest; eight years ago, when he led its season-opening performances at home and on tour, their account of Mahler’s Third Symphony was named one of the highlights of the London BBC Proms season by the UK’s Independent, which declared: “Gilbert blew not just our socks but everything else off.” Likewise, their rendition of Beethoven’s Ninth on the penultimate night of the festival “found Beethoven’s fire, with clear and controlled playing in the earlier movements giving way to an explosive choral finale” (The Guardian).

Two December programs complete Gilbert’s NDR lineup this fall: an evening of Mozart and Barber, whose music remains underrepresented in Germany, with MacArthur fellow Alisa Weilerstein as soloist in the American composer’s Cello Concerto (Dec 8–10), followed by a festive New Year’s Eve program. Scheduled to air live on Germany’s ARD TV, this will feature recent Musical America “Artist of the Year” Julia Bullock, who makes her NDR debut in songs by Gershwin and Margaret Bonds (Dec 30–Jan 1).

Dec 1 & 2
Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
BARTÓK: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 2 (with Rudolf Buchbinder, piano)

Dec 8–10
Hamburg Germany
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
MOZART: The Magic Flute Overture
BARBER: Cello Concerto (with Alisa Weilerstein, cello)
BARBER: Adagio for Strings
MOZART: Symphony No. 38, “Prague”

Dec 30 & 31; Jan 1
Hamburg Germany
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
GERSHWIN: songs, various (with Julia Bullock, vocalist)
BONDS: songs, various (with Julia Bullock, vocalist)
STRAUSS: Der Rosenkavalier Suite
BOULANGER: D’un matin de printemps
RAVEL: La valse