Barenboim quits Berlin Phil’s Europakonzert
OrchestrasStatement by the Berlin Phil:
It is with the greatest regret that for health reasons Daniel Barenboim has had to withdraw from the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Europakonzert in Tsinandali, Georgia. This cancellation also affects the concert at the Tbilisi Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre on 2 May, and the concerts on 26 and 27 April at the Philharmonie Berlin.
Daniel Barenboim: “I deeply regret that for health reasons I have to withdraw from the Europakonzert in Tsinandali, the concert in Tbilisi and the concerts planned in Berlin with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Lisa Batiashvili. I hope my colleagues have fantastic concerts and that I will be able to meet the wonderful Georgian audience for the first time on another occasion.”
The Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation is extremely grateful to Daniel Harding for being able to take over the entire project. Daniel Harding has had close ties with the Berliner Philharmoniker since his debut in 1996, and performs with the orchestra each season on subscription in Berlin. This is the second Europakonzert he has conducted following the Musée d’Orsay in Paris in 2019. The concert programme remains unchanged.
Harding’s career trajectory continues to puzzle me, he continues to conduct the world’s leading orchestras, filling in at the drop of a hat, seemingly completely free of any duties that an airline pilot’s long term and busy schedule might preclude, so either Air France pilots are on perpetual strike (which doesn’t sound that crazy for the French) or his colleagues are the most supportive co-workers in the world…
But the most puzzling thing is, Harding quit the Orchestre de Paris, which allowed the ascension of Makela, which gave Makela the stage to be appointed by the Concertgebouw, which gave him the visibility to be appointed by Chicago….
Does Harding regret his decision one bit? Does he look at Makela and think, you know, I was once that wunderkind, I could be head of the Concertgebouw right now?
Barenboim is an old man and old men get ill and have a tough time recouping. I pray that he takes some time off and write a biography – he’s had one amazing life. Think of all the legendary musicians of the past he worked with. He has a great story to tell and I hope it gets written down before, well, you know.
The predictable replacement! 😉
Poor guy. But are they using his name to sell tickets, in knowledge he probably will not atend.
What a pity such a great conductor, and man has health problems so he cannot do the concerts. He has accomplished so much specially with East west Divan orchestra
Barenboim should not take on any more engagements! Enough is enough. There are many interesting young conductors around!
However he takes BBC proms, and at least two concerts in Berlin Phil programme.
Withdrawing for health reasons is not the same as quitting.
Why can’t he retire in dignity before it’s too late….?
He is so fragile, like many other Chief conductors of his age. I was supposed to go but I was almost sure that he will withdraw. I admire him, as well as Messrs. Mehta and Blomstedt but they are a little bit selfish, they don’t care about their public. They should retire and enjoy watching concerts with younger conductors.
I wish him well and full recovery
We all face health issues at some point in the lives. I first experienced his greatness performing with the CSO at Ravinia 55 years ago. I remember stellar performances of Brahms 2 and the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra. Thank you maestro! Bravissimo
Hope he will get well soon but it is a little bit annoying to see all those senior conductors cancelling their concerts. They should respect their public for those who buy a ticket to see them while they probably know they won’t be able to do so. Young conductors are not that bad at all….
Why “quit?” He had to withdraw because of illness.