Breaking: Hilary Hahn quits the Berlin Philharmonic US tour
NewsThe US violinist has announced she is still struggling after several months to recover from a trapped nerve.
She has been replaced on the Berlin Phil tour at the last minute by the Norwegian Vilde Frang, playing Korngold’s violin concerto at Carnegie Hall. The substitute soloist in Washington and at Ann Arbor, Michigan, will be the US violinist Benjamin Beilman. Beilman has not played with the Berlin Phil before.
Hilary Hahn said: ‘I am extremely disappointed not to be touring with the Berliner Philharmoniker. Unfortunately, healing follows its own timeline, and I have to respect that if I want to be able to play far into the future. I hope to be on the road again very soon, and I deeply appreciate all the support I’ve received during this process. To my colleagues and concertgoers, I am so sorry that I can’t be there with you!’
Heal well. See you in NYC. Can’t wait!!
Truly sad news. On the bright side, Vilde Frang is a breathtakingly good violinist. I have heard Benjamin Beilman for years, and his performances will not disappoint!
He is a good violinist—how many American violinists have debuted with Berlin Philharmonic in recent years?
Vilde and Benjamin, Bravo!
All best wishes for a continued — and complete — recovery to Ms. Hahn!
(In the meantime, the BPO would have done better to program Korngold’s F-sharp symphony in place of his rather treacly fiddle concerto.)
The Korngold Violin Concerto, perhaps a bit sentimental, is a beautiful piece. It was good enough for Jascha heifetz!!!
They played the Symphony the last time they were in town. It was fantastic, you would have liked it.
It appears Berlin’s marketing people drummed it into Hilary’s publicist that “we are the Berliner Philharmoniker,” despite what 99% of the English-speaking world calls it.
Hope she feels better soon at any rate.
It’s the orchestra’s title. Does 99% of the English-speaking world call it the Paris Orchestra, The Amsterdam Concert Building Orchestra or The Ladder, Milan?
But it’s not their title outside of Germany, and it’s extremely pretentious to say that if you’re an American soloist. Ask anyone on the street in NY or London and they’ll say the “Berlin Phil.” Just like we don’t say “Pair-ee” (Paris) or “Milano” (Milan) or “Wein” (Vienna).
“Wein”? I prefer Bier.
Call people what they prefer to be called. Calling them what you prefer is rude and selfish.
As an Italian, ‘Theatre at the Ladder’ made me really laugh. That was funny, thank you.
actually, they ARE the berliner philharmoniker, just like the wiener staatsoper or teatro alla scala. but, yeah, they all should anglicize their names and maybe even their native languages just for the convenience of the ‘english-speaking world.’
I sincerely wish Hahn a full recovery. She is the world’s greatest living violinist.
George, are you related? The competition is ferocious. Can’t you just say “one of” or “on the highest level”? Why insult the other “greats?” There is not one “greatest” for every piece or every style. Anyway, we love you, Hilary. Take care of yourself. We can wait.
Ms. Hahn is the entire package. Nothing is missing or wanting. She ‘owns’ the Brahms Concerto, best of the best. For other composers not requiring such depth of musical expression, perhaps others may compare more favorably.
Shame she made, when very young, a Brahms recording with Neville Marriner which was not really a success.
OTOH, she was just awarded Recording of the Year from Gramophone.
Pinched on the left side?
Stop going to doctors. Do not take their drugs or physical therapy.
Go seek out an Active Release Therapist. Look into it. Look for the best.
She’s already consulted RFK, Jr. She ultimately decided on medical science.
You are very much missed.
Very sorry to hear this Ms. Hahn. I hope healing comes soon
I have been privileged to see Hilary Hahn perform with the NSO (back in the days when she was signing CDs during intermission!) and hope she will be able to recover fully. What a treasure!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Hilary!
Hope Hilary Hahn is feeling better soon! She’s an amazing performer and she needs to take care of herself!
Take care of yourself HH you will be time less
The Berliners should have used this as an opportunity to drop the concerto and play an orchestral work; that’s what people are paying to hear.
May you have a full recovery!
the first priority is for your own health! There certainly will be more new opportunities for us to enjoy your playing!!!❤️
Hearing some speaking about my mentor, Jascha Heifetz’s Korngold Violin Concerto is oxygen to my heart yet Hilary Hahns injury is a wound to thousands of souls … I am deeply saddened the double nerve injury is depriving both her and her faithful audiences the gifts of hearing H.H. in a work she is so closely bonded to: Please get wWell dear Ms Hahn ~ Original pupil of Jascha Heifetz ~ Elisabeth Matesky/ Chicago Praying for your Healing …
I hope you are able to find the doctors, physical therapists and tools to recover from a trapped nerve! And do please share your healing journey with the rest of us who also deal with this issue! We will keep you and your recovery in our prayers.
I am going tonight to see them in DC. I wished they decided to play the Bruckner 5th which is the other program on this tour.
I would have gone if they had played the Bruckner.
Reading through the comments, the absurdities herein help me to face the bizarre arguments raging everywhere else, and for that I thank all and sundry. We seem even to agree on one thing: All the best to Hahn.
Try acupuncture it worked for Perahia.
I will be seeing the Berlin Phil with Vilde Frang at Carnegie Hall Tuesday evening. I love Hilary Hahn, have heard her play several times, and was initially disappointed to hear she wouldn’t make it. But I have now listened to Frang’s recording of the Korngold Concerto with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony and her very recent performance with the Berlin Phil and Petrenko at the Philharmonie on Digital Concert Hall. I am super excited to hear Frang, an absolutely world class violinist.
Get better quickly Hilary. I look forward to seeing you again ( I played with you with Santa Rosa and Marin Symphony Orchestras years ago) and hearing you play at Alfredo Kraus Las Palmas Feb 7th where I’ll be on holiday.
V’ilde’s recording of Korngold is excellent.