Berlin Philharmonic gives conductor a footstool
NewsKirill Petrenko opened the Berliner Philharmonier season this weekend with Mahler’s seventh symphony.
He conducted with the disability of a broken toe, for which the orchestra thoughtfully provided a footstool.
At some point in the 80-minute symphony, he kicked it away.
I was at the first concert, went off without a hitch (although the finale started to get a little out of hand tempo-wise). Perhaps more interesting is that one of the Berlin Phil’s section-violists actually played the guitar part in Mahler 7 then returned to the back of the viola section to finish out the concert. He got standing recognition at the end.
Matthew Hunter, of the viola section, always plays the guitar part. He can be seen in previous performances by the BPh, in the Digital Concert Hall.
Just back from the same gig in Salzburg. It was a masterclass to say the least.
A visitor mentioned that their guest performance in Salzburg was just amazing, Mahler 7th
Petrenko definitely is by far the most exciting conductor since Kleiber
Oh, please . . . not this Kleiber stuff again. He was “exciting” for about 15 pieces of music, unless you want to count every piece of J. Strauss, the Strass family, Lehar, etc. (New Year’s material). I’m just glad “Star Wars” wasn’t around for Kleiber to do, or we’d never hear the end of that either.
I’ve been waiting years to hear the Berlin play the seventh. Karajan never recorded
You know your Mahler is bad when the reviewer talks about nothing but your footstool.
On a serious note, Berlin starts their season in the summer? Who else opens in August?
They have in my living memory. It is sandwiched between the late summer festivals like Salzburg and the Proms, for example, so they can prepare and play the opening programme widely, as well as being able to participate in Berlin MusikFest.
Yes, M7 is rather long. Any news or opinions about the music?
Well, yes. Mahler 7 was premiered in Prague in 1908. We’re now heading into the last quarter of 2022 and his 7th still seems to be around. I think that alone says something about it. No?
It, along with a high seat of some sort, was there on the podium last night in Salzburg, too. Petrenko used it only once or twice, it seemed. He was amazingly nimble and agile during the excellent performance of the Mahler 7th as well as during curtain calls.
He conducted this with great brio and finesse in Salzburg, yesterday. A high stool was there, in case he might have wanted to sit, but he did not use it. The
courage of musicians never ceases to amaze! Standing ovation, orchestra in sublime form, held together and playing with translucence—bravi tutti!
It was a privilege to hear them again.
“The courage of musicians never ceases to amaze!”
Because he didn’t sit on a stool?
“Courage” is tossed around rather casually these days, when men are fighting a couple of countries away to stave off a Russian advance into Germany. Presumably also not sitting on stools.
A “Russian advance into
Germany”?? Have I missed something?
Just history.
Does it hurt when you do this ? Well
don’t do that !
This willingness of Mr. Lebrecht to find a dent on a perfectly cut diamond makes me laugh each time.
Yet to see the concert in record, and a little bit jealous for you all guys, who can see and hear it in vivo.
It’s a shame he didn’t break it stomping on the podium like Bernstein used to.
Could be worse. Look what happened to Lully.
The performance on Friday that was telecast on DCH was wonderful. One could quibble here and there about artistic choices but the reading was thoughtful and powerful. The orchestra was in magnificent form with brilliant solos from Stephan Dohr, the solo baritone, Pahud, Kelly among many. All 4 concertmasters were in place and the terrific chemistry between the first two concertmasters from what I can tell is tangible and refreshing. This was not a conductor and orchestra phoning in the performance, but just plain old fashion give it all music making!