Edinburgh International Festival 2008
Posted by: Tam on 02 April 2008
The 2008 programme is now published, and full details can be found here. (Programme can be downloaded as a PDF here).
At first glance, it looks a little superior to last year (and at least one of the glaring omissions has been corrected: Charles Mackerras is back, and in a concert with Alfred Brendel and the SCO that includes Mozart's 40th symphony, Dvorak's 8th and Mozart's 24th piano concerto).
Opera seems stronger, there is a visit from Gergiev and the Mariinsky Opera, and Scottish Opera also make a return. There is also an interesting sounding Weill work in the opening concert.
Organist Naji Hakim comes to play some Messiaen and some of his own compositions, while the composer's anniversary is also celebrated by Volkov and the BBC Scottish for his final work Eclairs sur l'au-dela as well as Thomas Ades' recent composition Tevot.
Gustav Dudamel (who hasn't impressed me nearly as much as he has others) returns with the Gothenburg Symphony.
The festival could almost be described as a celebration of Gergiev, since as well as his 4 or so opera performances, come three with the LSO - a complete Prokofiev symphony cycle with one or two other works (sadly it doesn't look like I'll be able to get to all, if any of this).
However, after his blistering performance of Bruckner's first symphony two years ago, I have no intention of missing Sakari Oramo's return with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, which will include Janacek and Sibelius's first symphony. John Eliot Gardiner brings the Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique for some Brahms (including the German Requiem), though I heard not particularly encouraging things from someone who went to a concert he gave recently of some of the symphonies.
The Budapest Festival return for a residence of about the same size as their rather disappointing one in 2006. I wonder if I'm alone in finding their partnership with Fischer to be massively overrated?
As well as his appearance with Mackerras, Brendel will also play a solo recital including Schubert's D960 sonata. This will be worth hearing (and tickets are already going fast, due no doubt to his forthcoming retirement). Indeed, I could write a review of the concert now, having seen a near identical one in Glasgow two months ago.
The excellent Dresden Staatskapelle are coming, though with conductor Fabio Luisi, or whom I've never heard, and with rather more Strauss than I would prefer.
The morning Queen's Hall chamber series looks a little below its usual standard for the second year running - might this have something to do with the fact that they seem, carelessly, to have lost the Bank of Scotland's sponsorship?
The Belcea Quartet is coming to play all Bartok's quarters (though I think I might prefer a more varied programme). There is also an appearance by the Beaux Arts Trio and another by Mischa Maisky.
However, the other major omission of last year, Donald Runnicles, has not been corrected (the more baffling as he is soon to take over the BBC Scottish, indeed, quite why that fine local orchestra is giving fewer performances that some visitors seems a little odd).
regards, Tam
At first glance, it looks a little superior to last year (and at least one of the glaring omissions has been corrected: Charles Mackerras is back, and in a concert with Alfred Brendel and the SCO that includes Mozart's 40th symphony, Dvorak's 8th and Mozart's 24th piano concerto).
Opera seems stronger, there is a visit from Gergiev and the Mariinsky Opera, and Scottish Opera also make a return. There is also an interesting sounding Weill work in the opening concert.
Organist Naji Hakim comes to play some Messiaen and some of his own compositions, while the composer's anniversary is also celebrated by Volkov and the BBC Scottish for his final work Eclairs sur l'au-dela as well as Thomas Ades' recent composition Tevot.
Gustav Dudamel (who hasn't impressed me nearly as much as he has others) returns with the Gothenburg Symphony.
The festival could almost be described as a celebration of Gergiev, since as well as his 4 or so opera performances, come three with the LSO - a complete Prokofiev symphony cycle with one or two other works (sadly it doesn't look like I'll be able to get to all, if any of this).
However, after his blistering performance of Bruckner's first symphony two years ago, I have no intention of missing Sakari Oramo's return with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, which will include Janacek and Sibelius's first symphony. John Eliot Gardiner brings the Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique for some Brahms (including the German Requiem), though I heard not particularly encouraging things from someone who went to a concert he gave recently of some of the symphonies.
The Budapest Festival return for a residence of about the same size as their rather disappointing one in 2006. I wonder if I'm alone in finding their partnership with Fischer to be massively overrated?
As well as his appearance with Mackerras, Brendel will also play a solo recital including Schubert's D960 sonata. This will be worth hearing (and tickets are already going fast, due no doubt to his forthcoming retirement). Indeed, I could write a review of the concert now, having seen a near identical one in Glasgow two months ago.
The excellent Dresden Staatskapelle are coming, though with conductor Fabio Luisi, or whom I've never heard, and with rather more Strauss than I would prefer.
The morning Queen's Hall chamber series looks a little below its usual standard for the second year running - might this have something to do with the fact that they seem, carelessly, to have lost the Bank of Scotland's sponsorship?
The Belcea Quartet is coming to play all Bartok's quarters (though I think I might prefer a more varied programme). There is also an appearance by the Beaux Arts Trio and another by Mischa Maisky.
However, the other major omission of last year, Donald Runnicles, has not been corrected (the more baffling as he is soon to take over the BBC Scottish, indeed, quite why that fine local orchestra is giving fewer performances that some visitors seems a little odd).
regards, Tam
Well we've been inspired to part with our readdies for only two main festival events this year.
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orch. concert that Tam mentioned - we're up in the God's near the front. and Mixed Bill from the State Ballet of Georgia - which just sounded interesting and has choreography from George Balanchine which is usually good.
Disappointing as you say that Runnicles is nowhere to be seen - still, keeps Tam's Blog topical
Last year I had a lot of pleasure from a good number of Fringe gigs at St. Brides centre (e.g. Two Tall Girls, Rachel Unthank & Winterset, Alastair Fraser and Natalie Haas, The Wrigley sisters) so I shall for sure be taking a few punts down there again this year.
I'd happily pay to see the above 4 again.
Ian
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orch. concert that Tam mentioned - we're up in the God's near the front. and Mixed Bill from the State Ballet of Georgia - which just sounded interesting and has choreography from George Balanchine which is usually good.
Disappointing as you say that Runnicles is nowhere to be seen - still, keeps Tam's Blog topical
Last year I had a lot of pleasure from a good number of Fringe gigs at St. Brides centre (e.g. Two Tall Girls, Rachel Unthank & Winterset, Alastair Fraser and Natalie Haas, The Wrigley sisters) so I shall for sure be taking a few punts down there again this year.
I'd happily pay to see the above 4 again.
Ian