Launch of "Das Beethoven-Projekt"

Launch of "Das Beethoven-Projekt" with complete symphony performance and recording

The Stuttgarter Kammerorchester and Chief Conductor Thomas Zehetmair have embarked on “Das Beethoven-Projekt” for the coming years: all of Beethoven’s symphonies will be performed and recorded in Dolby Atmos for SKO records by 2027.

With its complete Haydn recording (Sony, 1998–2009), the SKO already achieved an editorial milestone. Now, together with Zehetmair, it is taking its place at the forefront of the orchestra’s repertoire range: Beethoven’s nine symphonies will be approached with the same agile, finely crafted, and passionate musicianship that has always defined the SKO.

As part of the “Beethoven-Projekt”, all of Beethoven’s symphonies will be performed in concert and recorded for the orchestra's own label, SKO records, by the time of the Beethoven-year 2027. This season, three concerts of the cycle are planned: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 will be performed on November 30, 2024 (Liederhalle, Mozartsaal), and the "Eroica" will follow on February 18, 2025 (Liederhalle, Beethovensaal). Particularly exciting will be the combination of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and his Piano Concerto No. 2 in the Dreikönigskonzert on January 6, 2025 (Liederhalle, Beethovensaal), with the young Alexandra Dovgan performing as the soloist. Symphonies No. 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 will follow in the next two seasons.

The studio recordings being made alongside the performances will be produced in Dolby Atmos and released under SKO records. The first album featuring Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 will be released on May 30, 2025. The others will follow in 2026 and 2027.

Thomas Zehetmair is full of joyful anticipation: “Over the years, a process of growing together has taken place, not least thanks to many shared recordings and two wonderful tours. Everyone is pulling in the same direction, and at just the right moment, the start of our Beethoven Project is on the program — I feel so much enthusiasm from all sides, and I really enjoy the atmosphere of a fantastic team here in Stuttgart, both musically and organizationally.”

“Thomas Zehetmair is a stroke of luck for the SKO as Chief Conductor,” says SKO Managing Director Markus Korselt. “We’re excited about the upcoming complete recording of Beethoven’s symphonies. With its chamber music approach at the highest standards, agility and risk-taking spirit: Zehetmair and the SKO will bring a completely unique perspective on Beethoven and thrill their audience.”

Special thanks go to the Wolfgang Carl Friedrich Grosse & Renate Elly Wald-Stiftung for their generous and exclusive support of “Das Beethoven-Projekt”.

Concerts – “Das Beethoven-Projekt”

November 30, 2024: Symphony No. 1 & 2 / Liederhalle Stuttgart, Mozartsaal
January 6, 2025: Symphony No. 5 & Piano Concerto No. 2 / Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovensaal
February 18, 2025:

Symphony No. 3 & Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor / Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovensaal
October 3, 2025: Symphony No. 7 & 8 / Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovensaal
October 3, 2026: Symphony No. 9 / Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovensaal
February 23, 2027: Symphony No. 4 & 6 / Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovensaal

Tickets for the Beethoven concerts at Liederhalle are available from the Kulturgemeinschaft Stuttgart at kulturgemeinschaft.de.

Release dates for recordings (SKO records):

May 30, 2025: Symphonies nos. 1 & 2
March 14, 2026: Symphonies nos. 3 & 5
October 2, 2026: Symphonies nos. 7 & 8
September 17, 2027: Symphonies nos. 4 & 6
November 12, 2027: Symphony no. 9

The recordings for SKO records will be available digitally as well as on high-quality LP and CD, and will be sold by all major retailers and streaming platforms.