Maestro, 77, is renewed for three years
mainThe Sapporo Symphony in Japan has extended the contract of the UK-based Swiss conductor Matthias Bamert.
He’ll finish in March 2024.
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The spelling is “Matthias”
Following a BBC Proms concert some years back, having exited the hall, I was walking past the stage door only to pass Mr Bamert and a companion also leaving quickly. He had obviously just hotted-footed it from the podium, was still in full concert dress and carrying his baton. The only remark I heard him say to companion was “I f***ing hate orchestras – particularly that one, (London Mozart Players, I recall) but they pay quite well.” Not very professional to say the least. Perhaps it was just a bad day at the office, the programme was not too taxing, but he should have shown those he works with more respect. And if not, then change of profession might be well advised.
There’s a place for people like him … Switzerland
Maybe he said, “they PLAY quite well”…
This comment is so useless in the public space. Who at the end of a long day at work hasn’t privately said something harsh regarding their employer? I wonder what is the interest of someone in revealing private conversations of that nature in the open, true or false… Please get a life – or at least stick to page turning, which I’m sure you can do very well.
This is the guy who has recorded the Roberto Gerhard symphonies and other orchestral music. Respect!
+1 on to exploring Gerhard. Thank you
Bamert made a fantastic CD with Wagner chunks as arranged for orchestra only, by Stokowski:
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%209686
The enthusiasm and intensity bursts from the speakers. You have to open the windows to not be overrolled by the music.
The ‘Matthias Bamert Society’ was, I think, responsible for the hilarious 12 tone commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACCAF04wSs
Many years ago I heard Wisconsin’s Peninsula Music Festival orchestra play Matthias Bamert’s “Septuria lunaris.” Thor Johnson was the conductor. I thought it was a very intricate and attractive piece (although it is true I was there mostly to hear Zara Nelsova play the Dvořák Concerto). But even his own website seems to say nothing about his activities as a composer.
Thor Johnson…wow. Now there’s name from the long forgotten misty past. Fine conductor, genuinely nice man. Got to meet him in Nashville not long before he died. No stodgy old man – he really promoted new music.
I’ve long admired Bamert’s recordings on Chandos; his classical-era series is enjoyable (whatever he may have thought of the London Mozart Players), and his Dohnanyi cycle is particularly fine. I wonder: why hasn’t he been as active in the recording studios over the past several years?
Agreed, he is a decent conductor, with some very strong recordings to his credit.
Worked with him at a music festival a couple of years ago and absolutely loved his style and demeanor. He would joke with the orchestra every now and then but be serious when it was time to. He’s a underrated gem in the music world.
Entirely agreed.