Jena Philharmonic opens the season in Jena with a free concert
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A musical departure at the Volkshaus Jena
With their season opening concert, the Jena Philharmonic starts the new season on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Volkshaus Jena. The opening is free of charge, seating is open, and entry is possible at any time. Under the seasonal focus Planet Dvořák, the orchestra unfolds an afternoon full of sound colors, tradition, and fresh perspectives. ([volkshaus-jena.de](https://www.volkshaus-jena.de/de/kultur_erleben/1048516?template_id=6120))
Sound journey between Dvořák, Mozart and Ligeti
The program spans from Antonín Dvořák's Slavonic Dances through Mozart's Don Giovanni Overture and Smetana's Moldau to Mahler, Prokofiev, Janáček, and Ligeti. This dramatically clever selection shows the range of the new season: Bohemian melodic, classical fire, late romantic expansiveness, and rhythmic precision come together in a single concert. Principal conductor Simon Gaudenz guides the orchestra through the afternoon, combining moderation with musical conducting. ([volkshaus-jena.de](https://www.volkshaus-jena.de/de/kultur_erleben/1048516?template_id=6120))
A house with special acoustics
The Volkshaus Jena is considered a traditional home ground for the Philharmonic. The Ernst-Abbe-Hall is praised for its outstanding acoustics and offers the ideal setting for a concert experience where orchestra sound, spatial effect, and audience atmosphere come closely together. Those seated here experience not only music but a vibrant encounter with Jena's cultural history. ([jenaer-philharmonie.de](https://www.jenaer-philharmonie.de/die-jenaer-philharmonie.html))
Easy access, strong city center location
The venue is centrally located in Jena at Carl-Zeiß-Platz 15. Jena-Paradies and Jena-West train stations are each about a ten-minute walk away, and tram and bus connections are also nearby. For those arriving by car, the Volkshaus points to the paid parking garage of the Goethe Gallery in immediate proximity. The concert is also marked as barrier-free. ([volkshaus-jena.de](https://www.volkshaus-jena.de/de/694234))
An orchestra with profile and international radiance
The Jena Philharmonic is regarded as one of the significant ensembles in Thuringia and regularly collaborates with renowned soloists and guest conductors. The orchestra has performed in guest tours, including Berlin, Zurich, Paris, Amsterdam, and Basel, as well as a successful tour in China. The internationally noted Mahler-Scartazzini cycle also underscores the artistic reach of the ensemble. ([jenaer-philharmonie.de](https://www.jenaer-philharmonie.de/die-jenaer-philharmonie.html))
Conclusion: This season opening concert promises an inspiring start to the 2026-2027 season: free of charge, stylistically diverse, and full of musical encounters. Anyone who loves large orchestral colors and an atmospheric live experience should not miss this date at the Volkshaus Jena. ([volkshaus-jena.de](https://www.volkshaus-jena.de/de/kultur_erleben/1048516?template_id=6120))
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