“Thielemann, Levit and the Wiener Philharmoniker act like a single musical soul” (Kurier) The collaboration between Christian Thielemann and the Wiener Philharmoniker in their Brahms cycle is truly something special. One of the highlights is pianist Igor Levit’s passionate take on Brahms’ Piano Concerto in D minor. Critics have raved about how beautifully he connects with the orchestra, bringing out the nuances in the piece. After that stunning performance, they dive into Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, which impresses with its powerful moments and delicate details. Thielemann’s guidance, combined with the orchestra’s skill, really shines, setting a high bar for concert performances. PROGRAM: Brahms – Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15; Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Salzburg Festival 2023: Nelsons conducts Berg, Bach and Mahler
In this concert, the Wiener Philharmoniker under the baton of Andris Nelsons are focusing on a “heavenly” pairing of works: Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto, entitled “To the Memory of an Angel” is combined with Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, in the last movement of which the poem “Das himmlische Leben” (Heavenly Life) is set to music. With this performance, young German-American violinist August Hadelich gave his debut at the Salzburg Festival and thrilled the press: “The fabulous Augustin Hadelich filled the difficult solo part with emotion and fragility, his performance was sensitive and yet glowing.” (Die Presse) With Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, Andris Nelsons performs “a Mahler miracle of quiet tones” (Volksblatt) – together with German soprano Christiane Karg (“subtle and with beautifully coloured soprano”, Kurier) as the soloist of the finale of the symphony. The concert is part of the Mahler cycle of the Wiener Philharmoniker and Andris Nelsons.
Thielemann conducts Brahms
“There is no clearer plea for a Brahms cycle with this conductor and this pianist” (Kurier) said the press about this concert by the Wiener Philharmoniker under the direction of Christian Thielemann. It is the continuation of their Brahms cycle, the performance of all of the composer’s symphonies and instrumental concertos. This part of the cycle includes Brahms’ Third Symphony and his Second Piano Concerto, which is considered one of the most difficult concertos in the piano literature. The exceptional pianist Igor Levit takes up this challenge and “seemingly took the heaviness out of the solo parts, […] his wondrous Brahms feeling enchanted in moments of floating tempi as well as in the midst of fine mists of sound that arose from rapid whispers. A summit of delicacy” (Der Standard). Together with the Wiener Philharmoniker and Christian Thielemann, it’s “a combination that one cannot imagine can be surpassed today” (Kurier) PRORAM Brahms: Symphony No. 3, Piano Concerto No. 2
Christian Thielemann conducts Schönberg and Strauss
More than 140 concerts and a multitude of celebrated recordings connect Christian Thielemann with the traditional Viennese orchestra. The live recording of his debut on the podium at the Vienna Musikverein almost 23 years ago promptly became a reference recording. On the programme then as now: Richard Strauss’ monumental Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony). This work, often regarded as the final and climax of the “symphonic poem” genre, is juxtaposed with Arnold Schönberg’s probably most famous tonal composition, the orchestral version of the string sextet Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night). “A truly persuasive performance.” (The New York Times)
Blomstedt conducts Brahms, Bach & Nielsen
“Leonidas Kavakos, together with the Philharmoniker, makes this beautiful work a true celebration.” (klassik-begeistert.de) Herbert Blomstedt made his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic late in life, only in 2011, at the age of 83. But since then he has been a regular guest and, since 2019, even an honorary member of the orchestra. In this concert he presents a work from his Scandinavian homeland: Carl Nielsen’s Fifth Symphony. “Carl Nielsen’s music breathes a special, unfathomable mood”, says Blomstedt. “It is full of Danish humour: very serious and at the same time very comic and yet sublime.” As a counterpoint to Nielsen’s exciting experimentation, Greek star violinist Leonidas Kavakos interprets Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto, one of the most beloved and frequently performed works in the violin concerto repertoire.
Muti conducts Debussy & Berlioz
“A fantastic ride between French refinement and waltz fireworks, ecstatic and Gregorian, bombast and apocalypse” (Der Standard) For many years grand master Riccardo Muti has been a regular guest at the Musikverein conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker. Undoubtedly, the orchestra and the Italian conductor have created a musical bond that exists for more than 50 years and guarantees stellar performances. In this concert, they offer “a fantastic ride between French refinement and waltz fireworks, ecstatic and Gregorian chant, bombast and apocalypse” with Claude Debussy’s Trois Nocturnes and Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. “Frenzied applause for the orchestra and Maestro Muti, whom the audience honored with a standing ovation lasting several minutes!” (Der Standard). PROGRAM: Debussy: Trois Nocturnes; Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Salzburg Festival 2022: Christian Thielemann & Elina Garanca
“What a sound pleasure, what a playing culture! […] Bruckner’s ‘Ninth’ without burdens, without any heaviness. Symphony in Schubert’s sense, seductive, apollonian.” (Kronenzeitung) To mark the bicentenary of Anton Bruckner’s birth in 2024, Christian Thielemann, the Wiener Philharmoniker and Unitel record the first Bruckner cycle with a single conductor in the orchestra’s history. After a truly magnificent performance of the Seventh Symphony in 2021, the stellar conductor returns to the Salzburg Festival with the Ninth to finish the cycle. In the first part of the concert, Christian Thielemann joins forces with Latvian star mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca and the Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor for Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody. PROGRAM: Brahms: Alto Rhapsody for voice, male chorus and orchestra, Op. 53; Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 in D minor
Salzburg Festival 2022: Andris Nelsons & Yefim Bronfman
Praised as an “exuberant, intoxicating conductor” (Boston Globe), Grammy Awardwinning Andris Nelsons is one of the most renowned and innovative conductors on the international scene today and his connection with the Wiener Philharmoniker is something special: Nelsons has developed a physical language with the players whose musical partner he has been since 2010. At the 2022 Salzburg Festival edition, Andris Nelsons and the Wiener Philharmoniker continue their acclaimed Mahler cycle with the Fifth Symphony, pairing it with Bartók’s second piano concerto. “Bronfman shows everything: impeccable technique, expressive art, power, but also a relaxed attitude when he delicately weaves in Bartók’s folklore quotations. […] The “Viennese”, with Andris Nelsons of one heart and soul. […] Great jubilation.” (Der Standard) PROGRAM: Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2; Schumann: Arabesque op. 18; Mahler: Symphony No. 5.
Wiener Philharmoniker, Zubin Mehta & Martha Argerich
Zubin Mehta and Martha Argerich return with Schumann’s only piano concerto and Bruckner’s fourth symphony in an exclusive Subscription Series concert to the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna – the city where both received important impulses for their musical education in the 1950s. More than half a century later, the Indian conductor and the Argentinean pianist are among those artistic personalities who have succeeded in leaving a lasting mark on the fast-moving classical music world. Their artistic achievements represent a piece of cultural memory of the 20th and 21st centuries and are still impressively alive. “The Power of true Old Masters – Martha Argerich sat at the piano
as spiritedly sparkling as ever. Just as Bruckner’s Fourth subsequently succeeded in becoming a magnificent dialogue between orchestra and conductor: Bruckner impulsive, intimate, poignant, stirring.” (Kronen Zeitung)
Christian Thielemann conducts Bruckner & Strauss
“The Vienna Philharmonic, conductor Christian Thielemann and composer Anton Bruckner – this is a combination that music lovers can really enjoy.” (Kurier) Christian Thielemann has become known as an expert in late Romantic repertoire. In this concert, he conducts one of the least performed Bruckner Symphonies, the sixth, which will be heard, along with Richard Strauss’s melancholy, serene Four Last Songs with Camilla Nylund. The program is part of the first Bruckner cycle with Christian Thielemann and the Wiener Philharmoniker. PROGRAM: R. Strauss: Malven (arranged by Wolfgang Rihm), Vier letzte Lieder; A. Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A major, WAB 106