In spring 2026, the Munich Philharmonic, under the baton of its incoming chief conductor Lahav Shani, will embark on a new chapter – kicking off their three-year residency at the Festival de Pâques in Aix-en-Provence from 10 to 12 April. It marks the start of an artistic journey that thrives on great concert moments as much as on moments of encounter and shared discovery. Lahav Shani will officially take up his post as Chief Conductor of the Munich Philharmonic in September 2026.
The opening night on Friday 10 April makes a powerful statement: together with Martha Argerich, a programme unfolds that balances energy and a sense of new beginnings. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 meets Mahler’s »Titan« – two works that each mark a beginning, both musically and emotionally: Beethoven actually composed his Piano Concerto No. 2 before his first, whilst Mahler’s »Titan« is the composer’s first symphony.
Saturday, 11 April, is all about chamber music: the Munich Philharmonic will be taking to the streets of Aix-en-Provence, swapping the traditional concert hall for seven venues scattered throughout the city centre. Inspired by the Munich Wandelkonzerte, small musical islands will emerge, linking together to form a musical stroll where musicians and audiences can encounter one another in new ways. From the finely woven dialogue of a string duo to a clarinet quartet, this creates a vibrant programme of concerts that brings the diversity of the Munich Philharmonic’s chamber music ensembles to life for listeners to hear and experience. In the evening, this musical stroll concludes with »MPHIL Jazz« on the terrace of the »Grand Théâtre de Provence«, whilst next door at the »Théâtre du Jeu de Paume«, the ensemble »GoldMund« joins forces with the singer Anna Veit to blend sound and language into a subtle chanson programme. On the main stage, the evening is crowned by a very special event: Renaud Capuçon, Martha Argerich and Lahav Shani perform together with members of the Munich Philharmonic—a special chamber music event ranging from Mozart to Schumann.
Music becomes an immediate experience wherever it touches people, brings them together and opens up new perspectives – in a masterclass with principal trumpeter Guido Segers on Saturday, as well as in other music education programmes in schools and hospitals on Friday. In this way, the Munich Philharmonic’s residency in Aix-en-Provence aims to become a place of exchange and inspiration. A space where music is not merely heard, but lived – together with the city, its audience and everyone who embarks on this journey.
The closing concert on Sunday, 12 April, returns to the grand orchestral sound – and at the same time marks another highlight of the residency: Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 bring together two works that impressively combine existential drama and formal clarity. Renaud Capuçon and the Munich Philharmonic transform this music into an intense shared experience.