The nearly 40-minute concert Towards Paradise, featuring the phenomenal trumpet world star Håkan Hardenberger, is part of Widmann’s Labyrinth series, reflecting the composer’s own state of mind. In this piece, Hardenberger captivates the audience from the first moment, with the exquisite beauty of his extensive melodic passages demonstrating remarkable clarity and emotional depth. His performance demands incredible precision in high notes and great flexibility in expression, particularly in the rich interactions with individual sections of the orchestra.
The tenderness Hardenberger brings, especially in muted passages, seems unparalleled, with moments hinting at jazz and intense choral references. Near the end, he breathes a solitary high E-flat, leaving the audience in awe. The concert concludes with rare unanimous applause, acknowledging one of Widmann’s finest compositions and Hårdenberger’s musical brilliance.