“A Beethoven symphony cycle is a kind of Mount Everest for all of us to climb” Sir Simon Rattle said about his first full cycle of all nine symphonies with his Berliner Philharmoniker. In this documentary Sir Simon Rattle presents us his approach to the cycle with extended explanations on the piano, we see him rehearsing with the orchestra resulting in the first – by audience and press equally enthusiastically – celebrated performances in Berlin. Next to the one hand documentation how the new Beethoven cycle originated, we the films tries to give answers to what is the motivation and fascination for a conductor as well as for an orchestra musicians to “climb” this musical monument? What makes those symphonies true milestones and unique masterpieces, with impact even on our lives! What was Beethoven’s message… ?
Simon Rattle conducts Poulenc, Koechlin, Kurtág and Ravel
What all the works in this concert have in common is an unmistakable French freedom of form and sound, whether in Poulenc’s twelve-part vocal work or the large-scale but always transparent, almost pointillist orchestral compositions. There are no rules to be followed, but rather a freedom of expression that only results from the “uncertainty of the moment”. The critics are delighted: “an arresting evening” (Financal Times) PROGRAM Francis Poulenc: Figure humaine; Charles Koechlin: Les Bandar-log; György Kurtág: Petite Musique solennelle en hommage à Pierre Boulez 90; Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé
Bach, Johannespassion (St John Passion)
“A simmering performance that lives up to the high expectations”, wrote the New York Times of the Bach St John Passion presented by the great American director Peter Sellars and star conductor Simon Rattle in the Berlin Philharmonie. This St John Passion shows Simon Rattle, Peter Sellars, the Berlin Philharmonic and “a real dream team of singers” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) building on the brilliant success of the St Matthew Passion and being as wildly applauded as before.