Friday, August 23, 2024
Berliner Philharmonie, Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße, Berlin
The Berliner Philharmoniker opened its 24-25 Season with Bruckner Five to herald further Symphonies by him this side of Christmas, conducted by Paavo Järvi, Simone Young, Marek Janowski, Andris Nelsons and Herbert Blomstedt. Kirill Petrenko unfolded the first movement flexibly: sacred and momentous (impeccable brass-playing) at the opening, then dynamically wide, and flexible in terms of tempo, whether an exciting thrust or time-taken reflection, making such contrasts complementary and whole. If the slow movement perhaps moved along a little too much, it also contemplated deeply, followed by a sprinting Scherzo – room made for its country dance measures – and a flowing, urbane Trio beguilingly detailed by woodwinds. The ambitious Finale, with its remembrances, chorale and double fugue – classically, Petrenko had opted for antiphonal violins, cellos centre-left, basses behind – now increased the gravitas, freshly-minted as the Symphony moved with direction, pinpoint clarity and magnificence to a pulsating conclusion, with a flute line usually obscured brought out and tremendous timpani thwacks.
Travelling with the Fifth includes the Berliners and Petrenko at the Proms on September 1, as well as Lucerne I believe, and on September 14 a further at-home performance graces the Digital Concert Hall, this time in the company of the late Wolfgang Rihm’s IN-SCHRIFT.
https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/film/397?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DCH%20Newsletter%20KW%2034%20-%2022082024%20-%20EN&utm_source=Email%20Newsletter – Bruckner Conversations with Conductors (trailer)