Kirill Petrenko on Zoom: We thought you didn’t need us any more

Kirill Petrenko on Zoom: We thought you didn’t need us any more

News

norman lebrecht

October 26, 2022

The Berlin Philharmonic music director has relaxed his no-interview rule to appear on Zoom in an impromptu press conference with selected US media, ahead of the orchestra’s imminent tour, after a very long absence.

Here are some choice quotes:
‘We all were very destroyed because at a certain point (during Covid) we thought no one needs us anymore. Their life goes on. The concert halls are closed. The theaters are closed. Some people are making their jobs, but we are sitting at home.’

‘Then we understand one more time a little bit what our profession is about, because of communication. It’s not just music-making, it’s music-making in front of someone or for someone or to provide our knowledge but also to change someone who is in this room right now, This is what was missing so much.’

‘The Berlin Philharmonic is the most special orchestra in the world. It takes a little time for a conductor to transform such an orchestra sound-wise to what a conductor is imagining. The Berlin Philharmonic first of all always should sound like the Berlin Philharmonic. I don’t want to break some traditions. Some natural sounds just come out of this orchestra. I would like have, so to say, my stamp on it. And it is first of all based on a beautiful, huge and transparent string sound.’

‘The Berlin Philharmonic is the most special orchestra in the world. It takes a little time for a conductor to transform such an orchestra sound-wise to what a conductor is imagining. The Berlin Philharmonic first of all always should sound like the Berlin Philharmonic. I don’t want to break some traditions. Some natural sounds just come out of this orchestra. I would like have, so to say, my stamp on it. And it is first of all based on a beautiful, huge and transparent string sound.’

Also sprach der Sphinx.

Comments

  • bare truth says:

    the world actually does not need classical music in general – the notion that the world would fall apart without it is a self-serving dogma created by classical musicians in order to justify sucking taxpayer money out of donors or government coffers. But this model will come to an end because it is not financially sustainable. If classical music competed on the free market vs substitute offerings, it would be wiped out.

    Classical music is essentially pornography for the ears. It is not well equipped to compete on the free market even against standard porn. If forced to choose, 80% of classical music audiences would choose the latter.

    Sorry, I know I am harsh but it has to be said.

    • perturbo says:

      The “pornography” comparison is ridiculous and overstated. Classical music is a form of entertainment, no more no less. Whether people value this form of entertainment enough to support it financially is a different issue.

      • MJA says:

        Well, Perturbo, do you think (great) music is Art? If so, do you think Art is “entertainment, no more no less”? If so, do you find the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel simply entertaining, “no more no less”?

      • Adam Stern says:

        A shallow sitcom or a Grade B feel-good movie are entertainment, no more, no less. Classical music (among other genres) is so very much more… A Bach fugue or a Beethoven symphony towers qualitatively, intellectually, and emotionally over the offerings sought out by people who “just want to be entertained”. I neither fault nor judge them for their tastes, but I know what feeds my soul.

    • MJA says:

      @bare truth – no, you’re not “harsh” (don’t flatter yourself) – you’re just self-regardingly wrong.

    • Sue Sonata Form says:

      This comment is somewhat Freudian and very embarrassing and revealing for you!!

    • Henry williams says:

      I have met many people all ages who have never attended a classical music concert

    • Anthony Sayer says:

      Please try to stay sober while posting.

    • come off it says:

      I realise you’re just a troll, but in any case I’ll grant you 30 seconds of my time: have a listen (live) to the opening of Bach B minor Mass, or of Parsifal (they’re kind of similar in effect) and tell me that hasn’t changed who you are — for the better. There are thousands of other examples too — just open your heart and appreciate what good composers and great performers can bring to your life.

    • tr says:

      There are some similarities with sex, not so much pornography. I have a tormented relationship with concerts and I find it hard to abstain, though I would like to.

      How many times have I sat there thinking yes I like it, right there, just like that, yes …

    • MR says:

      I hope I will never have to make that choice!

  • Anthony Sayer says:

    This is an example of why musicians should make music and not give interviews.

  • Gustavo says:

    I’m was making my job and sitting at home.

    They call it home office and digital concert hall.

  • Mary says:

    1) “I would like have, so to say, my stamp on it.”

    That would explain his eclectic programming/repertoire, which is driven as much by personal taste as it is by necessity, it is hard to put his stamp on the orchestra when between Karajan and Furtwangler, they’ve recorded everything under the sun, a lot of it considered reference recordings today.

    He saw how Rattle and Abbado tried to put their stamp on the orchestra, but what is their legacy? He knows recording yet another Beethoven or Mahler cycle is not going to leave much of an imprint in the history books of the Berlin Philharmonic;

    2) “And it is first of all based on a beautiful, huge and transparent string sound”

    Yeah, it’s transparent if you have x-ray vision. Berlin plays with so much vibrato, you can cut the air with a butter knife.

    • Claudio says:

      Yes, fully agree with eclectic programming so far, and it won’t be easy to put a personal stamp – he must think more strategically and in advance while doing programming.
      Best thing in my thoughts is to work with young conductors and promote them (having 10-20-30% of such works in the repertoire), but it won’t happen as audience wants Mahler (put your choice here), and no one wants to be blamed for failure.

  • Stephen M Baraban says:

    Hey Bare Truth, you’re accusing me of liking a type of pornography? Like Groucho Marx, I don’t even own a pornograph!

  • Tristan says:

    just clean your ears and listen to some of his conducting and you will hear the difference to so many overrated like Rattle, Barenboim, FWM, Dudamel…..the list is long!
    No interview is needed, just listen like Harnoncourt once rightly said!
    Kiril is by far the most fascinating exciting conductor around since Carlos Kleiber left us.

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