Israel gains a conductor friend
OrchestrasFrom our special correspondent in Tel Aviv, Dan Yakir:
The Finish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski conducted six subscription concerts during his Israel Philharmonic debut.
After a dazzling performance of Saint-Saëns Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with the Latvian violinist Kristine Balanas the audience demanded an encore. Peltokoski addressed the audience and said: “Hello Israel!” (It seems he’s a real fan of the Eurovision Song Contest).
“It’s been the greatest honor of my life to play two Hatikvahs in one week” (In each season opening concert of a subscription series the orchestra plays the national anthem Hatikvah (The hope)).
After that he announced the encore: A movement from a piano trio he composed at 2015 at the age of 15. The inscription on the score reads: “kuulostaa Mahlerilta… mee silla euroviisuuhun! Panula ” (“It sounds like Mahler… let’s take it to the Eurovision Song Contest!”. Panula is professor emeritus Jorma Panula who was his first teacher at the age of 14).
The encore which was a very romantic salon music was played by violinist Kristine Balanas, principal cellist Lia Perlov with Peltokoski at the piano.
The concert concluded with Beethoven Symphony No. 7. The dynamic range of the second movement was breathtaking. The fourth movement was played with breakneck speed and precision. It was exhilarating.
Both orchestra and audience would love to see him back but it seems he is fully booked until 2035.
Maestro Peltokoski is a mame to remember!!!
His performances this last week were electrifying!!!
The first composition on the program, “Cantus Arcticus”, a combination of recorded birds’ sounds from Finland and mysterious orchestral sounds, by Rautavaara, was truly sensational!!!
A number of contributors to previous posts about the young conductor here might need to rethink their comments!
How was Beethoven’s 7th?
The Finns are on fire these days!!
Last night concert was sensational.The boyish – look conductor ( 24 years old) totally excited the audience and the players.We were facing a star conductor of the future.
He looks like a boy & conducts like one. For now- he’s useless but may be something in about 20 years time.
Don’t be such a hater. You probably haven’t even seen him conduct.
finally, someone other than klaus makela to criticize. hurrah!
OK, turnabout’s fair play: he should be banned from working anywhere until he condemns Natanyahu’s genocide in Palestine.
I sense irony. At least, I hope I do
“Breakneck speed” is desirable for the fourth movement of Beethoven 7?