Germany Ebracher Musiksommer 2023 [1] – Bruckner: Philharmonie Festiva / Gerd Schaller (conductor). Ebrach Abbey, Ebrach, 20.8.2023. (KW)
Gerd Schaller returns in Ebrach with the third version of the ‘Romantic’ full of vitality
Festivals
Fine performances in Salzburg fail to redeem Martinů’s flawed The Greek Passion
Austria Salzburg Festival 2023 [9] – Martinů, The Greek Passion: Soloists, Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus, Salzburg Festival and Theatre Children’s Choir, Angelika Prokopp Summer Academy of the Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Maxime Pascal (conductor). Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, 22.8.2023. (MB)
Tanglewood triumph: Bruce Liu showcases his full range of pianistic talents
United States 2023 Tanglewood [10] – Bruce Liu (piano): Seiji Ozawa Hall, Lenox, 16.8.2023. (CSa)
Handel’s Samson at the Proms attained a level of musical excellence available to very few performances
United Kingdom Prom 50 – Handel, Samson, HWV 57 (1741-2, heard in the revised 1743 version): Allan Clayton (Samson), Jacquelyn Stucker (Dalila), Joélle Harvey (Israelite Woman), Jess Dandy (Micah), Brindley Sherratt (Harapha), Jonathan Lemalu (Manoa), Will Pate (Messenger), Philharmonia Chorus / Laurence Cummings (harpsichord / director). Royal Albert Hall, London, 23.8.2023. (CC)
Sir Simon Rattle makes a persuasive case for Schumann’s Das Paradies und die Peri at the BBC Proms
United Kingdom Prom 49 – R. Schumann, Das Paradies und die Peri: Soloists, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London 22.8.2023. (CK)
Excellent performances of Ligeti and Richard Strauss from Daniel Harding and the Vienna Philharmonic
Austria Salzburg Festival 2023 [8] – Ligeti and R. Strauss: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Daniel Harding (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 21.8.2023. (MB)
Unforced musicality from Jakub Hrůša and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra’s Mahler Ninth
Austria Salzburg Festival 2023 [7] – Mahler: Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra / Jakub Hrůša (conductor). Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, 20.8.2023. (MB)
Salzburg’s contemporary new production of Le nozze di Figaro only partly meets expectations
Austria Salzburg Festival [6] – Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro: Soloists, Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Raphaël Pichon (conductor). Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 20.8.2023. (MB)
