Because the Philharmonie’s concert hall must remain empty, they are offering music lovers an array of free holiday programming. You’ll find many options to enjoy holiday music from the streaming of the annual Christmas Concert to a family concert of the perennial favourite the Nutcracker . You’ll also be able to enjoy the chamber-music version of the “Chrëschtkaraoke”. The Philharmonie invites everyone to participate in a musical holiday season!
Usually the Philharmonie fills up just before Christmas when the traditional «Chrëschtconcert» marks the beginning of the holidays – given the current hygiene regulations, this became quite a challenge for conductor Pierre Cao and the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg (OPL).
Chrëschtconcert, photo by Sébastien Grébille 
Chrëschtconcert, photo by Sébastien Grébille 
Chrëschtconcert, photo by Sébastien Grébille 
Chrëschtconcert, photo by Sébastien Grébille
Together with the Pueri Cantores directed by Pierre Nimax junior and the Choeur de Chambre du Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg, a new concept and safe concept had to be developed, since choral singing is out of the question in this moment.
So after the orchestra recordings were complete, the choristers had the opportunity to record their voice at home on video. Thus, the «Virtual Choir» was born. The results will be available on the Facebook and YouTube channels of the Philharmonie from December 23 at 7pm!
OPL Brass Bus with the Fondation EME- Bringing music to places it doesn’t usually reach!
For more than ten years, the Fondation EME has been working actively towards that goal, and especially during the current situation, it remains true to it. Aboard the OPL Brass Bus, a small brass ensemble will deliver holiday cheer in the form of an atmospheric open-air concert from the open upper deck of the bus, particularly for hospitals and senior citizen’s residencies in the city on Saturday.
Chrëschtkaraoke – Singing with the Entire Family
For many people, singing together makes advent and yuletide such a special time. Therefore, the OPL musicians have been recording several classic Christmas carols during the past weeks, offering them in several languages on the familiar channels as sing-along karaoke versions.
You can find the entire playlist here!
For the Young Audience
The series «Kids’ Phil» offers not only advent stories, but also interactive videos for children to join in. These feature well-known faces such as the storytellers Betsy Dentzer and Julie Kieffer, but also the OPL and Luxembourgish guest musicians, such as Anik Schwall and Viktor Kraus. Bob Minette shows how to build a miniature drum set in no time at home. Find the links here!
Nutcrackers for Schools and Families
The story of The Nutcracker, set to music by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, will be told in a version for a young audience aged six and up, narrated by the German KiKa presenter Juri Tetzlaff.
As early as December 18, the concert will be streamed live for elementary school children via the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.
On Monday, December 21, at 5:30pm there will be a stream open to everyone, which remains available for two weeks online.
After a short break, the new concert year begins on January 8 with a streamed New Year’s Concert conducted by Leopold Hager.
