The Staatskapelle Berlin and its chief conductor Daniel Barenboim continue their symphonic Beethoven cycle with this recording of Beethoven’s First Symphony. The cycle started with an acclaimed performance of the Ninth on Berlin’s Bebelplatz and goes on in the Lindenoper. Beethoven’s First is both a retrospective and a foresight: it is still in the tradition of Mozart and Haydn and nevertheless hints at some of what later made the “mature” Beethoven; it contains the contemporary and the future. The world premiere in April 1800 in Vienna was a temporary high point in the career of the twenty-nine-year-old Beethoven.
Barenboim conducts Beethoven No. 5
With the performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6 & 8, the Staatskapelle Berlin – under the direction of its principal conductor Daniel Barenboim – celebrates the outstanding composer and jubilarian in whose sign the year should actually be, before the Beethoven Year 2020 turned into a year in the grips of the pandemic that turned not only the music world upside down. PROGRAM: Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Barenboim conducts Beethoven No. 4
With the performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6 & 8, the Staatskapelle Berlin – under the direction of its principal conductor Daniel Barenboim – celebrates the outstanding composer and jubilarian in whose sign the year should actually be, before the Beethoven Year 2020 turned into a year in the grips of the pandemic that turned not only the music world upside down. PROGRAM: Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4
450 Years Staatskapelle Berlin
On the occasion of its 450th birthday, the Staatskapelle Berlin under the baton of its chief conductor Daniel Barenboim embarks on a journey through music history. With Wagner and Beethoven, two composers are represented who have shaped the Staatskapelle’s repertoire decisively, in both opera and symphonic works. The programme is complemented by advanced music from the 20th and 21st centuries by Boulez and Widmann, the latter having dedicated a newly composed work to the Staatskapelle. PROGRAM Boulez: Initiale for seven brass instruments; Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg; Widmann:Zeitensprünge – 450 Takte für Orchester (World premiere of the commissioned work); Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Anne-Sophie Mutter, Yo-Yo Ma & Daniel Barenboim
The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra celebrates its 20th anniversary by giving a concert at the Berlin Philharmonie with world-renowned artists: Anne-Sophie Mutter and Yo-Yo Ma perform Beethoven’s Triple Concerto together with Maestro Barenboim and the young musicians. Yo-Yo Ma, who played with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at their first concert 20 years ago, and Anne-Sophie Mutter, who made her debut with the orchestra only this year, were named as honorary members of the orchestra on the occasion of this event. “It is fascinating to experience how brilliant, concentrated and at the same time relaxed these three world stars make music together and listen to each other. A masterpiece of harmony“ (RBB24). The second part of the concert features Bruckner’s 9th Symphony, transcendental music which the composer himself dedicated to “the dear God“. The symphony is unfinished not only because Bruckner died during the process of composition, but especially because it seems to perish in nothingness. The musicians of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra are excellently prepared and play technically and tonal flawlessly. A magic moment. PROGRAM Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Bruckner: Symphony No. 9
Strauss: A Hero’s Life
A Hero’s Life: In 2014, the year that marked the 150th birthday of the composer, Daniel Barenboim conducted his Staatskapelle Berlin with Strauss’ tone poem. The aplomb with which the composer is quoting his own works in this musical portrait of a “hero” was criticized as well as admired… but A Hero’s Life stays one Strauss’ masterpieces.
Daniel Barenboim – My Time at the Bayreuth Festival
Daniel Barenboim appeared 161 times on the stage of the Bayreuther Festspielhaus between 1981 and 1999. This documentary directed by Christoph Engel gives the floor to Daniel Barenboim who relates his memories in Bayreuth, his first contacts with the Wagner family in the 1960’s, and his frequent performances at the Bayreuth Festival.
Bruckner, Symphony No.8 in C minor (Edition Robert Haas)
The performance of all six of Anton Bruckner’s mature symphonies on six nearly consecutive evenings is an accomplishment that can truly be called “superhuman” (Der Tagesspiegel). Daniel Barenboim – conductor, pianist, all-round musical genius – set himself this task in June 2010 with the Staatskapelle Berlin at the Berlin Philharmonie. What Barenboim and his orchestra – he has been its principal conductor since 1992 – achieve in this marathon is a new view of the Bruckner opus that opts for grandeur and the mighty theatrical gesture. Bruckner’s symphonies as “operas without words” (Der Tagesspiegel).
Bruckner, Symphony No.5 in B flat major
The performance of all six of Anton Bruckner’s mature symphonies on six nearly consecutive evenings is an accomplishment that can truly be called “superhuman” (Der Tagesspiegel). Daniel Barenboim – conductor, pianist, all round musical genius – set himself this task in June 2010 with the Staatskapelle Berlin at the Berlin Philharmonie. What Barenboim and his orchestra – he has been its principal conductor since 1992 – achieve in this marathon is a new view of the Bruckner opus that opts for grandeur and the mighty theatrical gesture. Bruckner’s symphonies as “operas without words” (Der Tagesspiegel).
The Mahler Project – Documentary
The Mahler Project: A fascinating documentary on the musical world of Gustav Mahler as seen by the two great musicians, and a recording of Mahler’s colossal Ninth. “Mahler created a new world with each of his symphonies (…) It is a fantastic journey for both of us”. With these few words, Daniel Barenboim sums up the vast scope of a project undertaken with his friend Pierre Boulez: two very different world-class conductors tackle all nine completed symphonies of Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) with one orchestra, the Staatskapelle Berlin. Performed as a complete cycle in Berlin, Vienna and New York, the concerts were a tremendous success. The Financial Times even wrote: “New York is going Mahler mad”. Before embarking on this journey, the two conductors underwent a long period of reflection and discussion. In this documentary, director Christoph Engel compiles a rich selection of statements, conversations and musical excerpts which show how differently each maestro approaches this mighty oeuvre.