The concert commemorating the bombardment of Dresden in World War II features Beethoven’s mighty choral work under the direction of Christian Thielemann. Playing with vibrancy and passion, the Staatskapelle Dresden made a profound impression on the entire audience. Particularly remarkable is the fabulously homogeneous solo quartet formed of Krassimira Stoyanova, Elina Garanca, Michael Schade and Franz-Josef Selig. Another major vocal feat was accomplished by the Saxon State Opera Choir, which mastered the extremely difficult choral part with effortless proficiency.
A John Williams Celebration
For the 2014/15 Opening Night Concert and Gala, the Los Angeles Philharmonic paid loving tribute to composer John Williams, long a champion and close friend of the LA Phil. Gustavo Dudamel, an awestruck fan of the musical icon, led the orchestra in a crosssection of Maestro Williams’ matchless canon.
Wagner Christian Thielemann – Jonas Kaufmann
In memory of the great Richard Wagner and mindful of their own Wagner tradition, the Staatskapelle Dresden staged this glittering gala concert in the Semperoper on the eve of Richard Wagner’s bicentenary. They were directed by their principal conductor Christian Thielemann, indisputably one of the great Wagner conductors of our time, and he was joined by the hottest young heroic tenor of recent years, Jonas Kaufmann. The programme features the overtures to the Wagner operas written and premiered in Dresden – 1842 Rienzi, 1843 The Flying Dutchman and 1845 Tannhäuser – as well as great tenor scenes from Rienzi, Tannhäuser and Lohengrin. “Star tenor Jonas Kaufmann was celebrated with bravos and tumultuous applause – as were the musicians and Thielemann.” (Focus)
Mariss Jansons conducts Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
In the first concert of their tournee through the musical metropolises of South-America starting in Buenos Aires, the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under the baton of their musical director Mariss Jansons were celebrated by the audience for their interpretation of the 5th symphony by Shostakovich. In the sold out Teatro Colón, one of the biggest and most beautiful opera houses in the world, they “succeeded in delivering a moving, profound interpretation at the highest musical level” (SZ).
Nelsons conducts Bruckner 3
Nelsons lives up to his deep adoration of Richard Wagner, his favourite composer, in this concert, where he is conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker, with the Prelude to the First Act and the “Karfreitagszauber” from the Third Act of Wagner’s Parsifal. The second part of the concert is dedicated to another great composer: Anton Bruckner and his 3rd symphony. “With Nelsons conducting, everything diverged into beauty.” (Der Tagesspiegel) “Nelsons worked his magic. Every repetition is a new reason for amazement, from the intimate Trio to the triumphant Final.“ (Berliner Morgenpost) PROGRAM: Wagner: Parsifal Prelude to Act I ; Good Friday Spell from Act III; Bruckner No. 3
Max Raabe & Palast Orchester – Let’s do it
In their new concert recording Max Raabe & Palast Orchester show how they impress their audience with such varying titles as “Millions Of Kisses And Millions Of Smiles”, “Wenn ich Liebe brauch` dann geh ich zur Pauline” and “Cubanacan”. It was long known to Max Raabe that the songs from the 20s and 30s have an inherent magic, regardless of the country of origin, shown by the wide selection of works in English. The crucial factor is how the music is presented and on that, Max Raabe & Palast Orchester are unrivalled. Alongside the musical perfection, this evening from the Admiralspalast in Berlin displays all facets of an intelligently choreographed concert. Whether through “Stormy Weather” or “Dort tanzt Lulu”, the hot Latin rhythms of “Heartaches” or “Du hast mich nie geliebt” in waltz, Max Raabe & Palast Orchester are enchanting with music from both sides of the Atlantic.
Strauss, Four Last Songs / An Alpine Symphony
“Renowned soprano Anja Harteros demonstrated she had ample vocal power to rise above the orchestra.” She “was able to colour her production of the text with a range of autumnal shades together with such impeccable diction”. “Maestro Thielemann with the world class Staatskapelle Dresden sets such a consistently high standard of performance and attending one of its concerts is a joy to treasure.” (Seen and Heard International) —– Program: Richard STRAUSS: Four Last Songs, Malven / Wolfgang RIHM: Ernster Gesang (Serious Songs) / Richard STRAUSS: An Alpine Symphony.
The Odeonsplatz Concert – “Russian Night”
The 2014 open air concert with Mariss Jansons and the Balalaika-ensemble Terem-Quartet from the stunning Odeonsplatz in Munich includes works by Pjotr Iljitsch TCHAIKOVSKY: Capriccio Italien op. 45, Alexander TCHAIKOVSKY: Garden Symphony – Concert for Balalaika-quartet and orchestra (dedicated to Mariss Jansons – world premiere) / Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH: Festive Overture, op. 96 / Aram KHATCHATURIAN: Music from “Spartakus” and “Gayaneh” / Alexander GLASUNOV: Music from “Raymonda” / Nikolai RIMSKY-KOSRAKOV: Capriccio espagnol
Richard Strauss – Birthday Gala
Richard Strauss premiered nine of his fifteen operas at the Semperoper Dresden – this unique relationship was celebrated with a special gala in honour of the composer’s 150th birthday in 2014, featuring the famous arias from Elektra, Salome, Arabella, Die ägyptische Helena and Daphne as well as orchestral music from Der Rosenkavalier, Intermezzo and Die schweigsame Frau. —– Program: Der Rosenkavalier, Waltz Suites 1 & 2 / Elektra, Monologue / Feuersnot, Love Scene / Salome, Final Scene / Arabella, Final Scene Act I / Intermezzo, 2nd Orchestral Interlude / Die ägyptische Helena, “Zweite Brautnacht” / Die schweigsame Frau, Potpourri Overture / Daphne, Final Scene
The Odeonsplatz Concert: ‘Wagner & Verdi’
2013 open air concert from the stunning Odeonsplatz in Munich was dedicated to the music of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner performed by star tenor Rolando Villazón and world-famous baritone Thomas Hampson joined bySymphonieorchester and Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks. —— PROGRAM: Giuseppe Verdi: Ouverture to Les Vêpres Siciliennes; “Ce jour heureux est plein d’allégresse” from Don Carlos (Autodafé) // Jules Massenet: “Ce breuvage pourrait” – Vision fugitive from Hérodiade; “Ah! Tout est bien fini – O souverain” from Le Cid // Maurice Ravel: La Valse // Richard Wagner: “Freudig begrüßen wir die edle Halle” from Tannhäuser (Entry of the Guests); “Wie Todesahnung – O du mein holder Abendstern” from Tannhäuser; Prelude to Lohengrin, Act I // Giuseppe Verdi / Luciano Berio: L’Esule // Giuseppe Verdi: “Vedi le fosche notturne spoglie” from Il Trovatore (Anvil Chorus); “Dio, che nell’alma infondere” from Don Carlo