Vienna Phil, back in Beijing, shuffles out the waltzes
OrchestrasThe Vienna Philharmonic, on its first Beijing visit for 11 years, gave the audience just what they came for – Johann Strauss II’s Tritsch-Tratsch Polka and one of Josef’s waltzes.
‘Chinese classical music enthusiasts know the Vienna Philharmonic through watching our New Year Concert, which has been broadcast in China for years. It has helped us to gain lots of fans, for which we are grateful,’ said Vienna Phil chairman Daniel Froschauer.
General manager Michael Bladerer said they were looking for young Chinese musicians to add to the orchestra’s academy.
The main tour programme, conducted by Andris Nelsons, features Shostakovich’s 9th symphony and Richard Strauss ‘Ein Heldenleben’. The orchestra is now in Shanghai.
Next up in Beijing is the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Andris looks like Mao.
Maybe he should spend more time polishing his own orchestra or could he be the problem?
Mao was never that overweight
M(a)ore like Falstaff…
If they are looking for Chinese musicians to join the Academy they are not now producing sufficient instrumentalists in Austria in terms of numbers and quality. One had to have been born in Austria to qualify many years ago. Also by having Chinese instrumentalists in the Academy is going to increase the number of devotees attending the Concerts and watching the transmissions. It’s just as much commercial aspects rather than musical ones!!
Vienna Boys Choir has had Chinese kids in it for some years now.
Very confusing comment. Tours are not for the sake of recruiting, especially not into an academy of a said orchestra…. First, Vienna does not need to do that, they will always have enough interest from people wanting to play in one of the great orchestras of the world. Secondly Vienna Phil is infamous for its recruiting, (some people would call it out-dated or racist, I would say logical, Chinese orchestras aren’t “diverse” either and no one has a problem with that) so the assumption that they will walk into the Central conservatory in Beijing or the conservatory in Shanghai and say we want you to come and play with us makes me chuckle…
I’m not sure what the problem is with Johann Strauss encores when the program, proper, is substantial.
Just wondering if there was a broadcast in Xinjiang….
That is not a current pic of Nelsons who has lost weight and is looking much healthier.
Well, that’s good to hear!! I really like this fine conductor and have been fearful about his health.
Nelsons must act now about his burgeoning waist-line; he looks well beyond 50 but he won’t get there at this rate. I saw him in 2011 and he looked agile, handsome and no receding hair. Come on, man…!!