Herbstgold Festival unveils two new art installations

The 10th Herbstgold Festival opened at Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt on Wednesday with two new art installations, ORF reported. This year’s festival is being held under the motto “Music – The Pulse of Time.”

The opening concert in Haydn Hall featured works by Haydn and Mozart, performed by the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under conductor Ricardo Minasi. Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrandez made his Eisenstadt debut as the soloist.

“A triumphant opening concert. I am lost for words,” festival director Julian Rachlin said afterwards, describing it as a “huge highlight.”

Ferrandez said it was special to perform in a place where the cello concerto he played had been premiered and where Haydn had worked. “That is very inspiring and magical,” he said.

Before the concert, visitors saw the first of the two new installations. Eleven flags at Schlossplatz formed a digital watercourse. Eisenstadt artist Hannah Neckel called the installation “Streaming into Future,” linking it to the festival’s motto.

Visitors walking through the palace park can also see four ceramic dogs by Portuguese artist Hugo Canoilas. The green sculptures are intended as guardians of the bridge and to represent the transition from one place to another.

The Herbstgold Festival runs until September 26.