Simon Rattle: Karajan said an orchestra is like an English garden – water and weed it
NewsIn an overlong and generally unrevealing video interview for Bavarian Radio and the EBU, the BR conductor Simon Rattle comes up with this tiny gem:
‘I sat in the dressing room with Karajan in his later years and he said: “An orchestra is like one of your English gardens, really beautiful things. You have to water them and you have to weed them. And you have to look after it (sic) every day. Never forget that.”
‘This is an important thing. We have to do all kinds of dental hygiene. We have to look after people, both musically and emotionally.’
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link is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGUf0wgVZ9M
Fritz Reiner – weeder in chief………….
Unfortunately Karajan was in a different league to Rattle!! Rattle was very dismissive of the maestro in other interviews particularly regarding conducting with his eyes closed as he couldn’t be bothered to find out why..
Yes, indeed. I’d also much rather someone conducted with their eyes closed than constantly gurning at an orchestra.
The bodies of work for Karajan and Rattle speak for themselves.
In my opinion, one is a Titan, and the other is the Titanic.
Brilliant!
Sensitive fellow, isn’t he!!
He has said that many times in previous interviews
Ah, the Rattle bashers are back. If they had an iota of the man’s talent, they’d be worth listening to.
Try working with him!
I have. A great pleasure compared with the mediocrity surrounding us the rest of the time.
‘Unrevealing’? Rattle reveals that Karajan was ‘a tough nut’.
I doubt the comment ever taking place, it seems most out of character. However, most orchestras should consider weeding their podium….