Violinist Carolin Widmann has described herself as “heartbroken” after the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra voted to cancel the performance of a new violin concerto – without informing composer Clara Iannotta, conductor Elena Schwarz, or soloist Widmann.
Commissioned as part of Clara Iannotta’s residency at the Festival NOW! in Essen, the performances were originally due to take place on 30th and 31st October at Philharmonie Essen. “I was very excited to play the premiere... The piece already had a special place in my heart,” Widmann wrote in a statement on Instagram.
Iannotta was first to put out a public statement, explaining that the orchestra had agreed to her use of additional sounding objects – a key part of Iannotta’s music to date. With the orchestra reportedly reassuring the composer that this would be acceptable, Iannotta wrote the piece, titled sand like gold-leaf in smithereens.
“After receiving the score,” Iannotta reported, “the orchestra saw the number of objects and extended techniques involved and decided to hold a vote. They requested an additional fee – something not uncommon in such cases, since objects are often treated as second instruments – but they proposed a price so high it was effectively an obstruction.
“In a secret vote, 30% of the musicians refused to play the piece, and the orchestra ultimately cancelled the performance, without even consulting the conductor, Elena Schwarz, or the soloist, Carolin Widmann.”
Conductor Elena Schwarz has since withdrawn from the performances, which are still planned to go ahead later this week, without Iannotta’s new concerto.
“What concerns me most is a profound lack of curiosity,” Iannotta added in her statement. “An orchestra, as one of the most powerful and symbolic bodies in musical life, cannot claim to represent our time if it accepts only one type of music.”
The Essen Philharmonic and Philharmonie issued their own statement detailing their “surprise” at Iannotta’s comments, arguing that the composer “failed to adhere” to “clearly defined conditions” for the new work. They also stated that Iannotta “significantly deviated from the agreed deadline” of August 2025. “Despite strenuous efforts to address this situation, the short notice and the resulting lack of time prevented the necessary solutions for a professional performance.”
As a part of Festival NOW! the new work was programmed alongside other recent pieces from living composers, including Helmut Lachenmann, Lisa Streich, Beat Furrer and Enno Poppe. Other ensembles featured in the festival include Ensemble Modern, Basel Sinfonietta, and WDR Sinfonieorkester with violinist Ilya Gringolts, who present another new violin concerto from composer Stefano Gervasoni.
Marie Babette Nierenz, artistic director of the Essen Philharmonie and host of Festival NOW! added that, “in the 15-year history of Festival NOW!, this is the first time we have had to cancel a planned premiere… We will find a way to realize the premiere of the violin concerto in the coming years.”
