DRÜBEN. A German journey through time

Anniversary concert to mark the 35th Day of German Unity

The pre-programme for the event below begins at 18:30. One hour before the concert, there will be scenic interludes thematising the division of Germany. The concert starts at 19:30.

Friday, 3 October 2025 | 7:30 pm | Dresdner Sinfoniker | Freiheitshalle Hof
Together with the Dresdner Sinfoniker and the Foundation Places of German Democratic History, the city of Hof has now launched an extraordinary musical project. On 3 October 2025, the Day of German Unity, all interested citizens of Hof will be able to experience at first hand what it was like 35 years ago in the Freiheitshalle Hof at "DRÜBEN", when the overcoming of German division moved the world.

On 3 October 1990, Germany celebrated its reunification. Prior to this, courageous protests by East Germans had led to the surprising opening of the border. A reason to celebrate for the city of Hof and its residents at the time. Many still remember the special trains carrying GDR refugees from the West German embassy in Prague. Their first stop in the West was at Hof railway station - among the refugees was Markus Rindt, now director of the Dresden Symphony Orchestra.

Three years ago, the Dresdner Sinfoniker gave this special moment in German history a spectacular musical form. The highly acclaimed concert with theatrical elements at the Kulturpalast Dresden is now experiencing its second performance - or, if you like, its "first performance in the West". Partition and reunification are staged in a musical-theatrical setting, with the audience becoming active participants in a production that also focuses on our present day.
DRÜBEN, the anniversary concert to mark the 35th anniversary of German reunification, is a project by the Dresden Symphony Orchestra and the City of Hof in cooperation with the Foundation Places of German Democratic History.
Further financial support is provided by Sparkasse Hochfranken. In cooperation with the Staatliche Fachoberschule und Berufsoberschule Hof (FOS BOS Hof) and with the kind support of the Förderverein FOSvor Hof e.V.

Programme:

Staged pre-programme with the start of admission

Wieland Reissmann Hüben und Drüben (2022)
Arranged songs from East and West
Markus Lehmann-Horn Utopian Melodies - yelling at Me! (2022)

- Break -

Charlotte Bray Landmark (2022)

Igor Stravinsky Concerto for piano and wind orchestra (1923/24)

Pianist: Andreas Boyde
Conductor: Jonathan Stockhammer