Germany Beethoven: Saleem Ashkar (piano). Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 5.4.2017. (MB)
Berlin
The Komische Oper’s Colourful Portrayal of The Fair at Sorochintsy
Germany Mussorgsky, The Fair at Sorochintsy: Orchestra, Children’s Chorus (chorus mistress: Dagmar Fiebach) and Chorus of the Komische Oper, Berlin (chorus master: David Cavelius), Vocalconsort Berlin / Henrik Nánási (conductor). Komische Oper, Berlin, 2.4.2017. (MB)
A Pair of Philharmonie Concerts Subtly Challenge Ideas of Musical Drama
Germany Gruber, Bartók, Ravel, and Berio: Emanuel Ax (piano), Magdalena Kožená (mezzo-soprano), Rinat Shaham (mezzo-soprano), Gábor Bretz (bass), Ulrich Noethen, Dino Scandariato (narrators), Members of the Berlin Radio Choir and Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart, Paul Jeukendrup (sound direction), Orchestral Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 18.3.2017. (MB)
Programming and Performances to Satisfy the ‘Thinking Ear’ at Berlin’s New Concert Hal
Germany Mozart, Boulez, and Schoenberg: Donatienne Michel-Dansac (contralto), Boulez Ensemble / François-Xavier Roth (conductor). Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 17.3.2017. (MB)
Die Schöpfung Seems ‘At Home’ in Berlin’s Konzerthaus
Germany Haydn: Julia Kleiter (soprano), Christian Elsner (tenor), René Pape (bass), Staatsopernchor Berlin (chorus master: Martin Wright), Staatskapelle Berlin/Zubin Mehta (conductor). Konzerthaus, Berlin, 14.3.2017. (MB)
Much to Engage the Mind in Hans Neuenfels’ Production of Ariadne auf Naxos
Germany R. Strauss – Ariadne auf Naxos: Soloists, Staatskapelle Berlin / Eun Sun Kim (conductor). Schillertheater, Berlin, 11.3.2017. (MB)
Scartazzini’s Edward II Fails to Hit the Mark Despite a Fine Performance
Germany Scartazzini – Edward II: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: Raymond Hughes) and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin / Thomas Søndergård (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 9.3.2017. (MB)
Schubert from Lupu and Barenboim Graces Berlin’s New Pierre Boulez Saal
Germany Schubert: Radu Lupu, Daniel Barenboim (piano). Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 8.3.2017. (MB)