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.
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!!