The present DVD brings together the recordings of two of Helmut Lachenmann’s orchestral works that originated far apart in time, but are similar in their small-scale scoring (strings and 3 grand pianos or just strings): “Klangschatten – mein Saitenspiel” (1972) and “Double (Grido II)” (2004).

We filmed “Double” in May 2016 with the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern under the musical direction of Peter Hirsch, who has long been collaborating with the composer. Two films have been created from the sectional rehearsals of several hours in length (“Sectional rehearsal violins”/ “Sectional rehearsal violas, cellos, double basses”) in which, among other things, Lachenmann explains in detail and demonstrates the relevant playing techniques.

Our camera could accompany the rehearsals of “Klangschatten – mein Saitenspiel” (SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden and Freiburg, conductor: Pascal Rophé) for only a few hours. The result is two shorter rehearsal films, giving nonetheless a good insight into the piece that Lachenmann describes as one of his “favorites” among his own works.

(Wiebke Pöpel)