“Such a colourful, substantial, supple legato has not been heard even from this orchestra for a long time” (Münchner Abendzeitung) “The two solo instruments seemed to merge into one voice at times, but at the same time were given ample opportunity to demonstrate their individual virtuosic qualities” (BR Klassik) Zubin Mehta’s performance of Brahms’ 3rd Symphony with the Münchner Philharmoniker showcases his mastery and control over the orchestra through minimalist gestures. The concert features soloists Lisa Batiashvili and Gautier Capuçon, who deliver a rich interpretation of the double concerto, blending their distinctive sounds harmoniously. PROGRAM: Brahms – Concerto for violin, cello and orchestra in A minor, Op. 102; Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Belcea Quartet & Antoine Tamestit at Pierre Boulez Saal
The Belcea Quartet, one of the world’s leading chamber music ensembles, teams up with viola player Antoine Tamestit to light up the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin with an exciting programme that ranges from the Classical and Romantic era to the 20th century: Mozart’s String Quintet in C major and Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, which the Russian composer wrote in only three days in 1960. Brahms’s String Quintet No. 2 in G major completes the impressive set of the Belcea Quartet, about whom “The Guardian” raves: “A world-class ensemble!”
Odeonsplatz Concert 2017: Gergiev & Wang
Munich’s Odeonsplatz Concert is one of the open-air highlights of the year. The magnificent Residenz Palace on one side and the serene, towering Theatinerkirche on the other provide the ideal backdrop for exceptional performances of classical music. In this setting, Chinese star pianist Yuja Wang, Valery Gergiev and the Münchner Philharmoniker present a popular yet demanding concert programme. Wang performs Brahms’s First Piano Concerto “with vertiginous virtuosity, somnambulistic sovereignty, a fine sense of dramaturgy and rhythmic perfection” (Münchner Merkur). With “a secure sense for creating effects without gimmickry” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), Gergiev conducts Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, before closing with popular encores from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmila. PROGRAM: Brahms: First Piano Concerto; Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
Hengelbrock conducts the Brahms Symphony Cycle
Conductor Thomas Hengelbrock and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra tackle a Brahms marathon, performing all four symphonies of the Hamburg-born composer in the historic Laeiszhalle. PROGRAM: Symphony No. 1 (46’); Symphony No. 2 (39’); Symphony No. 3 (38’); Symphony No. 4 (44’). Also available: LECTURE CONCERT “Discovering Brahms with Thomas Hengelbrock (Length: 43′)
Brahms Piano Concertos No. 1 and No. 2
The Berlin Music Festival gets off yet again to “a brilliant start” (Tagesspiegel).: Daniel Barenboim plays both of the Brahms piano concertos at the Philharmonie with Gustavo Dudamel and the Staatskapelle accompanying him. Dudamel and Barenboim had already appeared on stage together at La Scala in Milan to celebrate Daniel Barenboim’s 70th birthday. That winning collaboration now continues in Berlin with a programme that is particularly demanding for the pianist: “Barenboim launches with near-superhuman enthusiasm into Brahms’s two piano concertos (…), masterpieces of monumental dimensions. (…)” is how the Berliner Morgenpost describes it, while the Tagesspiegel newspaper is impressed by the pianist’s accomplishment in mastering the works’ complexity: “This artist is a phenomenon: he appears to enjoy limitless energy, concentration and love of music-making. (…) In the D minor concerto Barenboim focuses entirely on the intimate moments, eschewing a display of strength which this piece sometimes
seems to encourage.”
Thielemann Brahms Cycle: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Violin Concerto D major, Op. 77
Third Part of Christian Thielemann’s Brahms Cycle with the Staatskapelle Dresden. On the program: BRAHMS’ Academic Festival Overture in C minor, Op. 80, the Violin Concerto D major, Op. 77 (with Lisa Batashvili as soloist) and the Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98.
Pollini and Thielemann perform Brahms and Reger
Legendary pianist Maurizio Pollini and star conductor Christian Thielemann team up with the Staatskapelle Dresden for an exceptional concert of late-romantic music. For his first concert with the Staatskapelle in nearly 25 years, Pollini plays Brahms’ mighty First Piano Concerto. Thielemann harnesses the orchestra’s dynamic power and melds it with Pollini’s vitality. Also on the program are Brahms’ ‘Tragic Overture’ and Reger’s ‘Romantic Suite’. Reger’s charming, colorfully orchestrated work, premiered with the Staatskapelle in 1912, is a valuable addition to the romantic repertoire.
Brahms, Sonatas for Violin and Piano
As Anne-Sophie Mutter herself puts it, ‘the apple was ripe and simply had to be picked.’ The ‘apple’ is the complete cycle of Brahms’ sonatas for violin and piano. Mutter, perhaps the best-known and most widely respected violinist of our time, has been fascinated by the Brahms sonatas since her youth. Several early recordings testify to her love for these works which, in her words, reflect Brahms’ understanding of ‘the singing quality’ of the violin. Over the years, she and her longtime piano partner Lambert Orkis have ‘ripened’ their interpretation of these works. Now, with the sonatas ‘under their skin’, the multiple award-winning violinist and her partner felt the time was right for their first audiovisual recording of the complete set.
Documentary: Brahms, Symphony No.4 in E minor, op.98
Six great composers, six landmark symphonies, a top orchestra and its star conductor Kent Nagano – these are the components of an extraordinary classical-music television event. Shot in High Definition, it takes a bold and innovative approach to the recording of classical music. Boom and tracking shots, quick cuts, remote-controlled cameras – stylistic means previously used chiefly for pop music recordings give the programs an up-to-the-minute look and feel. A team of more than 30 specialists makes sure that viewers enjoy a truly cinematic experience. The programs also go new ways by featuring entertaining, historically founded animated sequences illustrating episodes from the lives of the composers. Backstage interviews with the musicians and excerpts from their rehearsals let us share in the spirit of their music-making. Conductor Kent Nagano also relates what is of special importance to him in each work, and offers fascinating insights on the origin and context of the work in question. Documentaries: Bruckner, Symphony No. 8 – Mozart, Symphony No.41 ‘Jupiter’ – Beethoven, Symphony No.3 ‘Eroica’ – Strauss, Alpensymphonie (An Alpine Symphony) – Schumann, Symphony No.3 – Brahms, Symphony No.4
Brahms, Symphony No.4 in E minor, op.98 (Kent Nagano Conducts Classical Masterpieces)
Six great composers, six landmark symphonies, a top orchestra and its star conductor Kent Nagano – these are the components of an extraordinary classical-music television event. Shot in High Definition, it takes a bold and innovative approach to the recording of classical music. Boom and tracking shots, quick cuts, remote-controlled cameras – stylistic means previously used chiefly for pop music recordings give the programs an up-to-the-minute look and feel. A team of more than 30 specialists makes sure that viewers enjoy a truly cinematic experience.