Illtonic - Soli pour vous
On Sunday, May 3rd Esther and her sister Lea Birringer on the violin started the new live stream concert series 'Illtonic - Soli pour vous' at the Illipse Illingen.
The concert was broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube. The program included among others Igor Strawinsky's 'Trois mouvements de Pétrouchka'.
'Digital cultural program in Illingen'
The Opus Kulturmagazin reports on the new series of events 'Illtonic - Soli pour vous' at the Illipse in Illingen, which is being broadcast live and has a connection to the neighbouring country
France. Esther and Lea Birringer will start the live stream concerts.
'Corona Concerts' during lockdown
The Corona crisis and the cancellation of numerous events and concerts that accompanied it, however, creates new perspectives and possibilities in addition to this
special situation of social isolation. In this context Esther Birringer has launched a living room concert series.
Corona virus
Due to current precautions, all concerts are cancelled until further notice.
At the moment it is not yet possible to assess whether they will be caught up, but we will inform you about everything. Security measures are a priority at
the moment and the most important thing is to counteract further spread of the virus, avoid health risks and still remain hopeful and positive.
Keep you and your loved ones healthy and hope to see you soon!
Awards for 'Di tanti palpiti'
Esther and Lea Birringer's latest CD appears on the longlist 1/2020 and has been nominated for the independent record award 'Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik' in the category 'best new
release in the chamber music section'.
The album also received a nomination for the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) 2020.
The CD has received numerous positive reviews from radio and media stations, won the Supersonic Award of the classical music magazine Pizzicato and was nominated for the two prestigious record awards. All this is proof of the exceptional quality of the album.
The portrait of the CD release at "buten un binnen" on Radio Bremen
New Album 'Di tanti palpiti'
Although Lea Birringer and her violin are the focus of this production, she is not alone: the collaboration with her sister Esther Birringer, which has been tried
and tested for many years, is once again impressively successful. While the pianist elicits melodies "full of intimate lyricism and sparkling fluency" (Voralberger Nachrichten) from her
instrument, she rounds off the overall impression excellently with her exquisite piano artistry.
Concert at the Q.lisse in Quierschied on 26/10/19 at 7 pm
Tickets are available at the municipal library of Quierschied, Tel. 06897-961195, at the box office or here.
'Sound experience' at the Bad Schallerbach Music Summer
'The sibling duo Lea and Esther Birringer inspired [...] with their perfectly coordinated music-making and sparkling virtuosity. This rousing interpretation turned the sensitive harmonic work
into a melodic listening experience.'
Kronen Zeitung, 20.11.18
Here you can listen
to the encore.
The Birringers with 'Lifelines' above the clouds
Since August the new CD of the siblings Lea and Esther Birringer, which was released by Rubicon Classics in January 2018, has been part of the Lufthansa In-Flight Entertainment programme. 'After
their debut three years ago, the second album of the two sisters from the Saarland with works from the late romantic period is now following. The two violinists then span the musical emotional
worlds of the 19th century.'
Lufthansa
'LIFELINES' - The new CD of the Birringer sisters on course for success
'Interpretational moments of bliss' - Pizzicato
'With full blooded commitment' - Gramophone
'A musical force to be reckoned with' - Concerti
'Terrific, engaging release' - The Arts Fuse
'With passionate temperament and fine musical harmony' - Fono Forum
'A keeper' - Audiophile Audition
'Magical' and 'expressive' - The New Listener
'Infectious musicianship' - WDR 3
'Intimate manner of playing, tonal beauty, greatest precision' - SWR 2
NEw CD - Lea und Esther Birringer evoke romantic feelings in virtuoso competition
Rubicon Classics will release their new album Lifelines on 26/01/2018, also thanks to successful crowdfundings. After a rare repertoire from the 20th century, the
Birringers now in their second album create a bridge between the musical emotional worlds of the 19th century: From a little played youthful work of Edvard Grieg from the legendary Scandinavia to
touching lamentations of Franz Liszt and the highly dramatic life cycle of César Franck, the two sisters also impress in concert: 'Full of pressing passion the bow of the violin with the dancing
fingers on the piano seemed to perform a kind of virtuoso competition.'
Oberbayerisches Volksblatt
Esther Birringer as a lecturer at the Xiamen University in China
In December 2017, the pianist will perform in the Chinese cities of Qingdao, Nanjing, Xiamen and Guangzhou. Besides giving master classes, she will give
lectures to deepen the knowledge of the students.
© Fritz Jurmann, Vorarlberger Nachrichten 29/09/17
'Bull's eye with Grieg concerto'
The Vorarlberger Nachrichten describe the performance of pianist Esther Birringer in Dornbirn together with the Collegium Instrumentale under Guntram Simma as "great cinema for the ears".
'The German pianist Esther Birringer grew up in the school of Karl-Heinz Kämmerling. In the full-stopping piano part, she fulfils the highest expectations as a great talent, powerfully virtuoso
and flawlessly, an equal partner of the musicians, full of intimate lyricism and sparkling fluency.'
Dialogue without words
'The music speaks for itself. Provided we give her a chance.'
Yehudi Menuhin
Watch Esther Birringer's brand new video and experience the artist in a very special portrait.
FAMILY ZONE - this year's theme of the Davos Festival
What fits thematically better than two sisters who have been making music together since they can remember?
Experience Lea and Esther Birringer from 6 to 20 August 2016 in Davos, Switzerland. Listen to the siblings in various instrumentations with works by Schubert, Silvestrov, Martinu, Casella and
many more.
Exciting concert highlights
This season holds exciting projects and concerts for Esther Birringer.
The tour starts with recitals in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Other highlights include debuts at the Usedomer Musikfestival, at the Schlosskonzerte Winnenden and at the Homburger Meisterkonzerte. In addition the pianist
will perform Bach's epochal Goldberg variations several times this season in cooperation with the Ballet of the Stadttheater Bremerhaven.
Esther Birringer is also looking forward to a CD recording in co-production with the Saarländische Rundfunk..
'There must be discussion, friction, or there is boredom.'
'Different work process, different demands, different ways of making music.
"Exciting," that's the term the two sisters finally agree on.'
Here you can find the whole article about Lea und Esther
Birringer, their cooperation as a duo and their this year's participation at the Davos Festival.
Musik&Theater, Special Edition Davos Festival 2016
Text: Christoph Vratz
Esther Birringer at the 'Zentrum für Musik und Sprache Hannover'
From now on Esther Birringer teaches at the Centre for Music and Language Hanover. Here you can find more information and the possibility to register for
classes.
Classic meets School - Esther & Lea Birringer on behalf of Rhapsody In School
She sees her visit as 'an important opportunity to bring children and young people into contact with classical music', explained Esther. It is particularly important to her to introduce classical
music to her students in a way that is not often associated with it, namely young, fresh, varied and not only suitable for older audiences. And the two sympathetic sisters have succeeded in this
to the highest degree. The school hour was almost not enough to answer the many questions of the knowledge-hungry students. Afterwards, the enthusiastic students had their two stars sign numerous
autographs. They will probably not forget this special kind of music lessons so quickly.
Text © Wochenspiegel, June 2 2016
Extract from the current CRESCENDO magazine in cooperation with the German Mozart Society
'My sister is my harshest critic', says pianist Esther Birringer about her sister Lea. Both pursue their individual careers as violinist and pianist, but also enjoy performing together on stage.
According to Esther Birringer, playing together with her own sister is different from playing with chamber music partners from other countries, but above all it is easier: 'We always save
ourselves the phase of getting to know each other and can go one level higher. In other line-ups you always have to get to know the people and their musical style first.' Getting to know the
musical style of the counterpart, that is, learning his musical mother tongue. For siblings, this is often the same. Having one's own brother or sister as a chamber music partner is therefore one
thing above all: a privilege.
As a guest of Federal President Joachim Gauck -
Concert in Bellevue Castle
On the occasion of the state visit of Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto to Berlin, Esther Birringer performed at the Bellevue Palace. Other guests of honour were Mexican football star Javier
'Chicharito' Hernández and his wife.
'At home in Hanover' - An interview with the Hanoverian magazine 'Quando'
Parents who were musicians themselves, a predetermined path as a pianist, the term "wunderkind" - Esther Birringer has never experienced the typical clichés of the industry like this. Read about
her unconventional and sometimes difficult path to a career as a pianist and about her thoughts on her studies and career.
Text © Christian Schütte
Quando edition 4/2015, October - December
'Russian fireworks'
The exceptional musicians Lea and Esther Birringer from the Saarland have been on the road to international success for quite some
time. Performances in the USA, Italy, Japan, Switzerland or at Schloss Elmau, this year's venue for the G7 summit, are part of the siblings' agenda.
Only recently the Birringers performed at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival and were celebrated as Germany's "Young Elite". At the Weilburg Palace
Concerts the artists also convinced with strong expression and great virtuosity. Debuts with the Munich Symphony Orchestra, the Young South German Philharmonic Orchestra Esslingen and at the
LuganoMusica Festival will follow in the coming months.
In addition to their international concert activities, the Birringer sisters attach great importance to playing music regularly in their home
country. They have recently been heard in Saarland and were applauded with thunderous applause at the Saar Music Festival and at their performance at the Saarbrücken Chamber
Concerts.
In September, the talented sisters will now devote themselves to a special programme under the motto 'Russian Fireworks'. On their Saarland tour
they will perform works by Sergei Prokofieff, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Dmitri Shostakovich, among others.
Text © Museum Schloss Fellenberg
Esther and Lea Birringer make their debut at the Kulturkreis Gasteig
After their successful debuts at the MDR Musiksommer and the Weilburger Schlosskonzerte, the two musicians will now perform at the Gasteig and open their new season in the Bavarian capital.
Esther and Lea Birringer convince with their festival debuts
The trade press is unanimous: 'Interplay at the highest level' - 'brilliant
interpretative achievement' - 'overwhelming playing technique'.
Learn more about the debuts of the two musicians at the Weilburger Schlosskonzerte and the MDR
Musiksommer.
Esther Birringer at the summer masterclasses in Neustettin, Poland
Esther Birringer is a guest lecturer at this year's summer masterclasses in Neustettin, Poland. The masterclass will take place from June 29 until July 6.
You can find information and details for applying here.
'Outstanding in the month of May'
'The sisters Esther and Lea Birringer are in demand worldwide - their debut CD has been enthusiastically received by music critics'.
The Opus Kulturmagazin reports about the siblings in its May issue.
Pretty and successful - read about Esther and Lea Birringer in the BILD newspaper!
09/04/14: Esther und Lea Birringer at the NDR Foyerkonzert on tour
With courage into the modern age
You could have made it easy for yourself: If Lea and Esther Birringer, sisters, musicians, upcoming classical stars, had chosen a standard classical-romantic programme of Mozart, Beethoven and
Schumann for their debut CD, it would have gone smoothly. But they wanted to record modern pieces that rarely make it onto CD, even more rarely onto a debut CD: violin sonatas by Szymanowski,
Hindemith, Respighi. The result: the critics rejoice over 'musical aggressiveness', over 'moments of poetic beauty' and over their 'programme with standards'. The classical music audience listens
up - here two young women prove their daring!
Off the beaten track
Well then, let them explain where they get the courage to leave the well-trodden paths of program selection. After all, the two artists will not only make music at the NDR Kultur Foyerkonzert on
tour in Wolfenbüttel, but also tell stories. About themselves, about their careers, about their favourite pieces. And in this way they will tell their audience what has shaped them, what they
love about classical music and why the less known can sometimes be more exciting than the old familiar. Which of course is nothing to be said against Beethoven! But Lea and Esther Birringer
explain that best themselves.
Recently the DEBuT CD of Esther & Lea Birringer has been released
The recording was released on 17.01.2014 by Avi-music.
The sisters play sonatas by Szymanowski, Hindemith and Respighi.
First press reviews cheer the debut:
'Three sonatas, rarely heard in concert, discovered with courage, verve and joyful playing.'
ORF, 25/04/14
'A very beautiful, also extremely original programme and a very good realisation by the two musicians, who impress with their debut CD.'
France Musique, 23/04/14
'Thundering piano chords and a dramatic recitative by the violin, driven by dark glowing energy - a gripping introduction.'
FonoForum, April issue
'Lea and Esther Birringer started their CD with an exclamation mark. [...] A very strong debut by two already very independent artistic personalities. The name Birringer is one to
remember.'
WDR 3, 06/02/14
'A programme with high standards, very lively and confidently presented. A promising debut CD.'
SR 2 Kulturradio, 05/02/14
'A really exciting and bold CD conception, especially since Esther and Lea Birringer do absolute justice to the three sonatas with their spirited, gripping, incredibly lustful playing and
especially bring out the dramatic, stirring sounds perfectly.' More...
BR Classical, 25/01/14
'The sisters Lea and Esther Birringer have been a duo since childhood. The joint debut recording benefits from their blind understanding. All phrases are breathed together, all arousal curves are
felt together. It is gripping to see how the two of them live out the nervous tension and the permanent advance of the Szymanowski Sonata. The spirit of musical awakening at the beginning of the
20th century is clearly perceptible here.
The Birringer sisters remain highly concentrated even when the overpressure is easing. In the slow movements they succeed in creating moments of poetic beauty.'
NDR Culture, 10/01/14
'Lea's expressive and analytical playing is carried by Esther's often orchestral sound waves. The full-bodied cascades are grounded with powerful basses, and the pianist also inspires with her
fragile, sparkling precision work.' More...
SZ, 30/02/13
Interview with Esther & Lea Birringer
The Birringer siblings introduce themselves.
Esther and Lea Birringer talk on SR2 Kulturradio about the beginnings of making music up to their current debut CD.
Here you can listen the broadcast 'Musik an der Saar' from 04/01/14.
Exciting season 2013 / 2014
Esther Birringer is looking forward to an exciting season. Highlights include debuts at the Weilburger Schlosskonzerte with Mendelssohn's Double Concerto, at the Kulturkreis Gasteig, at the MDR
Musiksommer and the Uckermärkische Musikwochen.
October 2013
A highlight in October was the concert of
the Birringer Sisters in Bellevue Palace in Berlin on the occasion of the awarding of the Federal Cross of Merit to Mariss Jansons. The two sisters were given the great honor of making music for
German President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt.