Germany Ligeti, Lachenmann, and Brahms: Quatuor Diotima (Yun-Peng Zhao, Léo Marillier [violins], Franck Chevalier [viola], Alexis Descharmes [cello]). Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 19.10.2023. (MB)
A splendid Berlin recital by Quatuor Diotima
Mark Berry
Vladimir Jurowksi presents a richly varied survey of music inspired by Don Quixote
Germany Telemann, Boismortier, Ravel, Ibert, and R. Strauss: Paul Gay (bass-baritone), Alejandro Regueira Caumel (viola), Konstanze von Gutzeit (cello), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowksi (conductor). Konzerthaus, Berlin, 12.10.2023. (MB)
An outstanding concert in Berlin by Quatuor Ébène
Germany Haydn, Bartók, and Schubert: Quatuor Ébène (Pierre Colombet, Gabriel Le Magadure [violins], Marie Chilemme [viola], Yuya Okamoto [cello]). Kammermusiksaal, Philharmonie, Berlin, 10.10.2023. (MB)
Despite fine playing, Schmidt’s Second Symphony fails to convince in Berlin
Germany Martines, Mozart, and Schmidt: Evgeny Kissin (piano), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Fabio Luisi (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 6.10.2023. (MB)
Castorf brings layers of resonance to Hamburg’s Boris Godunov, the opera for our time; arguably
Germany Mussorgsky, Boris Godunov: Soloists, Children’s and Youth Choir (director: Luiz de Goday) and Chorus (director: Eberhard Friedrich) of the Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano (conductor). Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg, 4.10.2023 (MB)
Deutsche Oper Berlin’s new staging spoke of the enduring appeal and enigma of Puccini’s Il trittico
Germany Puccini, Il trittico: Soloists, Children’s Chorus (director: Christian Lindhorst) and Chorus (director: Jeremy Bines) of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin / John Fiore (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 30.9.2023. (MB)
Memorable Strauss from Herbert Blomstedt, but his ‘Eroica’ doesn’t quite hit the mark
Germany Richard Strauss and Beethoven: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Herbert Blomstedt (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 22.9.2023. (MB)
The Komische Oper, Berlin triumphantly revive Das Floss der Medusa – in an aircraft hangar
Germany Henze, Das Floss der Medusa: Soloists, Choir Soloists, Movement Choir and Children’s Extras of the Komische Oper, Berlin, Vocalconsort Berlin, Staats- und Domchor Berlin, Orchestra of the Komische Oper, Berlin / Titus Engel (conductor). Hangar 1, Tempelhof Airport, Berlin, 16.9.2023. (MB)
