The Bavarian State Opera performing Der fliegende Holländer at the National Theatre in Munich a few weeks ago:

Hi Bart, what was the production like, not too Euro-trash I hope.

I have just managed to get two tickets for a new production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg there in May. I am really looking forward to going to the theatre where Tristan, Meistersinger, Das Rheingold & Die Walkure were first preformed.

Morton posted:

Hi Bart, what was the production like, not too Euro-trash I hope.

I have just managed to get two tickets for a new production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg there in May. I am really looking forward to going to the theatre where Tristan, Meistersinger, Das Rheingold & Die Walkure were first preformed.

I dont see a lot of opera, so maybe it was not TOO Euro-trash??  The second act, with the "spinning" chorus, took place in a modern-day spin bicycle studio!  So yah....not so traditional.  But I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and the venue is beautiful.  As a visitor from the States it was a treat to be able to attend!

Just in from Jacqui McShee's Pentangle at the lovely Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne, Dorset. After all these years she still has her full voice, and sublime backing musicians, a number of whom played with John Martyn in the past. SQ was the best live I've ever heard, they have their own sound guy who used the house PA. If you like jazz/folk they are a real treat. Check their website for upcoming UK dates or their excellent CDs. Yet again, nothing beats live music. Well worth the 4 hour round trip.

Sussanna Malkki/CSO/Gil Shaham:

Debussy Gigues, Images for Orchestra No. 1
Bartók Violin Concerto No. 2
Rimsky-Korsakov Sheherazade, Op. 35

My very first female conductor experience.

Audience and critics seem to be pleased with her but I found her direction rather academic and not that special. Certainly she's no Reiner or Celibidache. Her style much too much soft and swirly for my taste missing the earthiness particularly on Bartok program with Hungarian folk influence. Scheherazade also lacked mysterious aura marred by Robert Chen's ( CSO First Violin ) nervous nelly fiddling with no sex appeal. 

But Shaham's Bartok Violin Concerto was worth watching as I was familiar with his '98 concert with Boulez/CSO DG recording.

He followed Malkki closely so that he won't skip a beat with the rest of the orchestra in this rhythmically intricate piece. CSO musicians certainly delivered but it had a slightly silvery tonal balance against Shaham's bold earthy style.

Debussy's Gigues was almost a non starter as I almost fell asleep from Malkki's disorganised murky direction. Boulez she isn't.

Dorothee Oberlinger's first appearance in Chicago, playing Italian works (mostly from Venice) with Alexander Puliaev (harpsichord) and Marco Testori (baroque cello) at the new Logan Center on the south side. Exquisite playing and great synergy among the musicians performing works of Corelli, Vivaldi, Marcello, Castello, Pasquini and Mainerio.

^^ - Dorothee Oberlinger

Emanuel Ax/Michael Tilson Thomas/CSO

Trifonov/Nagano/Montreal Symphony Orchestra

Denis Matsuev/Yuri Temirkanov/CSO

Sussanna Malkki/CSO/Gil Shaham

Just this page alone - between Haim and Kuma - (it just isn't fair  ) I mean, good for you both .   In my lifetime so far I have not been fortunate enough to see live the talent you have just over the past few weeks.  One day maybe ?

But for now, I own all the classical musicians of the world and they are my willing slaves for me in my home so any one of them will play for me at my slightest whim and not just once but hundreds and thousands times.  Mmwwwhhaaaa ha ha ha .

Doug,

Nothing is stopping you to go out and attend a live concert.

Make it your bucket list.

There is no substitute for a *good* live concert from the right seat no matter how great your replay system is. I still have a few concert halls I would love to visit before I go.

Kuma,

Fair enough but I wasn't really referring to just attending 'a live' concert.  Yes, I have a few issues that has held me back currently but this won't be forever.  My main point though was that you must live in an area where all the big names tend to pass through regularly.  It is easy for you because you have so much choice.  My main interest is in solo piano and chamber music (involving a piano) and I just never see the choice you have.  Haim has taunted me with his stoic abstinence while I have from afar looked at the concert series available in Chicago and I am speechless.  It just amazes me actually.

Yes, I do have a bucket list or more aptly for me it is called my "wishful thinking list - ya right - go ahead and keep kidding yourself."  Basically it involves a lot of travel.  The performers won't come to me so I have to go to them.  There are the typical large American cities that always draw the artists, of course, but my absolute dream would be to live in Northern Europe or Scandinavia.  I could spend the whole summer doing music camps and festivals and the rest of the year could go to a concert every day of the week if I wished to (and I do wish to).

Andras Schiff at Wigmore Hall in London last night. He was playing late piano sonatas by Haydn, Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert with a further Beethoven sonata as encore, on a Bosendorfer piano. It was an epic evening. And the sound of that piano even from row P was really stunning.

Florestan posted:

Fair enough but I wasn't really referring to just attending 'a live' concert.  Yes, I have a few issues that has held me back currently but this won't be forever.  My main point though was that you must live in an area where all the big names tend to pass through regularly.  It is easy for you because you have so much choice.  My main interest is in solo piano and chamber music (involving a piano) and I just never see the choice you have.  Haim has taunted me with his stoic abstinence while I have from afar looked at the concert series available in Chicago and I am speechless.  It just amazes me actually.

Yes, I do have a bucket list or more aptly for me it is called my "wishful thinking list - ya right - go ahead and keep kidding yourself."  Basically it involves a lot of travel.  The performers won't come to me so I have to go to them.  There are the typical large American cities that always draw the artists, of course, but my absolute dream would be to live in Northern Europe or Scandinavia.  I could spend the whole summer doing music camps and festivals and the rest of the year could go to a concert every day of the week if I wished to (and I do wish to).

Doug,

Chicago does attract many big names but usually the Carnegie owns pretty much everyone. Even the same tour, an artist would play a better more interesting or challenging program for the Carnegie but they tend to stick to more expected conservative program for Chicago. ( However for 2016-17 season, we have a  better program for the first time! ) And of course the Metropolitan in NY , programs are more interesting to me than what's on at the Lyric Opera, too...

If I could get a good seat I don't mind traveling to hear an artist who does not normally come around. ( Maria Joao-Pires, for example ) I often lamented that all the good artists and conductors are dead now and I can only experience their art via recorded media.
But when I saw some of the current *living* soloists or conductors mentioned in 'what are you listening to now' thread, I decided to check them out by attending their concerts. It really has been fun and satisfying to hear their YouTube video comes alive!

I dream about attending Sokolov, Argerich and Zimermann recital where they won't tour US. Lugano or Salzburg Festival are interesting, too. I need to visit Wigmore Hall, too as I see their chamber programs are much more interesting than what we get here. One of my dream was to hear the Vienna Phil conducted by Harnoncourt. ( well, I missed that boat! ) Love to hear Andris Nelsons direct BSO, too. ( they were at the Carnegie last season but I could not obtain a good seat )

I'm sure the same performers tour in Canada no?

kuma posted:

Florestan posted:

Fair enough but I wasn't really referring to just attending 'a live' concert.  Yes, I have a few issues that has held me back currently but this won't be forever.  My main point though was that you must live in an area where all the big names tend to pass through regularly.  It is easy for you because you have so much choice.  My main interest is in solo piano and chamber music (involving a piano) and I just never see the choice you have.  Haim has taunted me with his stoic abstinence while I have from afar looked at the concert series available in Chicago and I am speechless.  It just amazes me actually.

Yes, I do have a bucket list or more aptly for me it is called my "wishful thinking list - ya right - go ahead and keep kidding yourself."  Basically it involves a lot of travel.  The performers won't come to me so I have to go to them.  There are the typical large American cities that always draw the artists, of course, but my absolute dream would be to live in Northern Europe or Scandinavia.  I could spend the whole summer doing music camps and festivals and the rest of the year could go to a concert every day of the week if I wished to (and I do wish to).

Doug,

Chicago does attract many big names but usually the Carnegie owns pretty much everyone. Even the same tour, an artist would play a better more interesting or challenging program for the Carnegie but they tend to stick to more expected conservative program for Chicago. ( However for 2016-17 season, we have a  better program for the first time! ) And of course the Metropolitan in NY , programs are more interesting to me than what's on at the Lyric Opera, too...

If I could get a good seat I don't mind traveling to hear an artist who does not normally come around. ( Maria Joao-Pires, for example ) I often lamented that all the good artists and conductors are dead now and I can only experience their art via recorded media.
But when I saw some of the current *living* soloists or conductors mentioned in 'what are you listening to now' thread, I decided to check them out by attending their concerts. It really has been fun and satisfying to hear their YouTube video comes alive!

I dream about attending Sokolov, Argerich and Zimermann recital where they won't tour US. Lugano or Salzburg Festival are interesting, too. I need to visit Wigmore Hall, too as I see their chamber programs are much more interesting than what we get here. One of my dream was to hear the Vienna Phil conducted by Harnoncourt. ( well, I missed that boat! ) Love to hear Andris Nelsons direct BSO, too. ( they were at the Carnegie last season but I could not obtain a good seat )

I'm sure the same performers tour in Canada no?

I get your sentiment. But would suggest to also visit the lower gods, as live performances are special.

I am right now quite lucky. I have most performers coming either in Munich or Frankfurt, and sometimes when lucky closer by. So all achievable in a 2 hours drive. When I lived in the Netherlands this was not possible, but I just enjoyed what was there.

I see the attraction of hearing and watching the greats and only last year enjoyed Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim at the Royal Festival Hall for example (what one UK newspaper fondly called the Danny and Martha show). But every age has its greats and part of the fun is hearing some of those before they are fully recognised as being a legend. Living near London there is plenty of choice but on the other hand the big performers sell out in minutes rather than hours and that is to "friends" or "members" rather than the passing public. So I think it is also worth chasing the music and seeing what turns up by way of performers.

best

David

A complete change of direction and genre here guys. I have just experienced the opening night of Jeff Lynne's ELO tour at the Echo Arena, Liverpool. Wow, want a performance from a 70 something rock icon. Simply stunning and very well orchestrated - pun intended. A 20 song set with absolutely no duds and 3 songs from the latest album, Alone in the Universe. Anyone going to see ELO on this tour are in for treat and a walk down memory lane.

David

Last night we heard Ingrid Fliter play a programme of Chopin in St John's, Smith Square, London.  We had seats only five yards or so from the piano so we're able to see what an engaging, energetic and enthusiastic player she is.  I especially liked the way she laughed when some idiots started to clap early, two slow chords from the end of a nocturne and again when someone made a very bad job of stifling a loud cough/sneeze just as she was about to play the next quiet prelude. The Steinway was not nearly as great to listen to as the Bosendorfer I mentioned in my posting of a few days ago, but it was a memorable almost intimate occasion with a great sense of her enjoyment of playing for us coming through.

best

David

Matthias Goerne, Winterreise, Lille Opera House, last night. An extraordinary concert, very good seat, third row.

Harmonia Mundi's recording seems to give priority to the piano, with the voice in the background, which is a shame - I wonder if it's my set-up, or if others have felt the same.

I am excited as I will see Khatia Buniatishvilli with:

Liszt: Réminiscences de „Don Juan“, Etudes f-moll „La Leggierezza“, B-Dur „Feux Follets“, gis-moll „La Campanella“, Grand Galop Chromatique, Ungarische Rhapsodie Nr. 2 cis-moll (bearbeitet von Vladimir Horowitz)
Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit
Strawinsky: Drei Sätze aus „Petruschka“

So I almost missed her again. Last year she was sick, now I was challenged with serious traffic jams. But I made it in the last minute and was very happy to hear her full recital, what a player for the moe complex pieces, really amazing......, while I still would like her to further mature and take on the more easy pieces as well.... Ps the dress was much more red, but the iPhone and the light did crazy things to her dress....

I just got very excited about something. In the beginning of July I will have a weekend of great jazz at North Sea Jazz (superb program this year). But then I saw the concert of the week after that. Keith Jarrett solo - only one in Germany..., I immediately booked this once in a lifetime opportunity. What a July I will have...

Dady posted:

A complete change of direction and genre here guys. I have just experienced the opening night of Jeff Lynne's ELO tour at the Echo Arena, Liverpool. Wow, want a performance from a 70 something rock icon. Simply stunning and very well orchestrated - pun intended. A 20 song set with absolutely no duds and 3 songs from the latest album, Alone in the Universe. Anyone going to see ELO on this tour are in for treat and a walk down memory lane.

David

Thank you David -- I have pondered going to see this tour but have been undecided.  Not a HUGE ELO fan but of course Jeff Lynne is a huge talent and I know their big hits.

Artemis Quartet: Chicago Debut

After Fridemann Weigle's death ( Viola player), *Re-organised* Artemis  Quartet is started off a 9 city US tour with a Chicago native Anthea Kreston joining the band as a second violin.

There was a change in program from the original Schubert/Bartok pieces, they opened with an easy light on ears Hugo Wolf's Serenade. Fluid and soft, viola was a bit on a dry side but warmish cello keeping a good balance. They did not have nearly the dynamics and intimacy of Arcanto Quartet in the same hall. Janacek could have been more dynamic and forceful. Rhythmically I thought they are behind Arcanto, too. Very different style for sure.

I loved Beethoven's Op.59/1 but still missed a bit of dynamics and prefer bolder strokes for better contrast to quieter passages.

We saw Altan on Saturday 9th April at Kings Hall1, Kings place, London.

An excellent evening of traditional folk music mainly Irish based, jigs and reels, They were promoting their latest album The Widening Gyre, it was recorded in Nashville and picked up some of our traditional tunes and songs that have imported to the Appellation mountains and found in the bluegrass traditions.  

A new venue as well seats about 300, good sound.

The Complete Brahms Piano Quartets:

No. 1 in G Minor

No. 2 in A Major

No. 3 in C Minor

Leif Ove Andsnes piano

James Ehnes violin

Tabea Zimmermann viola

Clemens Hagen cello

Over 2.5 hrs of all three Brahms Piano Quartets were exciting and rhythmically charged the music did not stray in entire program. I was curious to hear how this set compared to Artemis Quartet, albeit they played very different program, but I could see these guys were much more in tune and dramatic than overly legato Artemis. Altho I missed a bit of intimate and breathing quality in slow movements particularly in No. 2 Op. 26 which for the most part is more romantic piece out of others. i didn't mind a bit more rubato there to build a bit more intimacy.

Piano definitely adds extra colours and textures and they were extremely cohesive but to me Andsness' piano and Zimmermann's viola stood out and they were leading the tunes more than thin and anemic Ehnes violin and Hagen's cello. Ehnes was a substitute for Christian Tezlaff who pulled out last minute due to early family birth of his child.

Andsness' piano was fluid yet clear with a good judgment on dynamics as not to overpower anyone else.

Last night we were transported back to when orchestras were Electric Light.  Nineteen tracks that took us on a journey through the back catalogue including Rockaria, Wild West Hero and Turn to Stone to name a few. The party ended with Mr Blue Sky and the encore was Roll Over Beethoven. Anyone with tickets can look forward to a fabulous night - it was worth the wait.  Welcome back Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy and the rest of this wonderful band. We missed you.