When does the concert start and is there an introduction

The concert starts on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 7:30 PM; a concert introduction takes place at 6:30 PM in the upper foyer.

Where does the symphony concert take place

The venue is the Festsaal of Freiheitshalle Hof, Kulmbacher Str. 4, 95030 Hof.

How much does a ticket cost

Single tickets for symphony concerts are available depending on the seating group; for this concert, prices start at 31 euros.

Are there discounts available

Yes, students and pupils up to 26 years old usually receive a 50 percent discount, as long as quotas are available.

What is the parking situation at Freiheitshalle

At the main entrance, the Volksfestplatz is available as a large visitor parking lot; the access is well signposted.

How long does the concert last

The program duration is typically about one and a half hours plus a break; the end is expected around 9:30 PM.

Shostakovich and Weinberg united: Hof Symphony Orchestra ignites Hof's Festsaal night with fiery sound color

Name: 10th Symphony Concert of the Hof Symphony Orchestra – In Friendship
Start: 2026-06-19 19:30:00
End: 2026-06-19 19:30:00
Location: Freiheitshalle Hof

Shostakovich and Weinberg united – an evening full of tension, sound color, and grandeur

On Friday, June 19, 2026, the Hof Symphony Orchestra will transform the Festsaal of the Freiheitshalle into a vibrant center of symphonic emotion. Chief conductor Martijn Dendievel together with star cellist Andrei Ioniță will span a large dramatic arc: Weinberg's epic cello concerto meets Shostakovich's breathless Tenth – two friends, two styles, an intense concert experience.

Sound dramaturgy with depth

The program idea focuses on contrast and correspondence: Weinberg's Cello Concerto in C minor op. 43 opens a narrative world between Klezmer echoes, lyrical intimacy, and virtuosic vigor. Ioniță molds the solo voice with a singing line and powerful tone – a cello sound that immediately captivates the hall. After the intermission, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 in E minor op. 93 condenses the atmosphere: cutting rhythms, eruptive outbursts, deep melancholy – an orchestral tension arc that lasts until the last chord.

Live atmosphere that gets under your skin

The Hof Symphony Orchestra utilizes the acoustics of the Festsaal for precise orchestration and transparent voice leading. Woodwind colors shine, brass chorales set striking signals, and the strings develop collective warmth. The lighting direction emphasizes pauses, the mood of the audience shifts from rapt listening to spontaneous enthusiasm – a concert experience that resonates long after.

Expertise at the podium, gold on the cello

Martijn Dendievel shapes large lines, ensures clear synchronization, and directs with precision down to the detail. His interpretation combines dramatic intensification with breathing phrasing – a stage performance that gives the orchestra maximum expressiveness. Soloist Andrei Ioniță, awarded the gold medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition, brings technical brilliance and narrative imagination together – ideal conditions for Weinberg's idiomatic solo part.

Concert introduction and service

At 6:30 PM, an introduction in the upper foyer invites deeper immersion into the history of the work and its structure. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Thanks to generous parking spaces at the Freiheitshalle, arriving is comfortable; the cloakroom and catering areas are organized efficiently.

Conclusion

An evening for heart and mind: poetic cello singing, orchestral power, historical references – all in one program. Those who want to experience the emotional breadth of Weinberg and the existential force of Shostakovich live should secure tickets in time.