Germany Purcell: Preussens Hofmusik (Laura Volkwein, Ulricke Bassenge [violins]; Helene Wilke [viola]; Egbert Schimmelpfennig [cello]; Joachim Klier [violone]; Joachim Elser [trombone]), Matthias Wilke (director, viola, organ). Apollosaal, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 7.11.2019. (MB)
Mark Berry
Zubin Mehta returns to the Berlin Philharmonic with Bruckner’s Eighth
Germany Bruckner: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 6.11.2019 (MB)
A memorable evening as the Komische Oper Berlin presents The Bassarids
Germany Henze, The Bassarids: Soloists, Vocalconsort Berlin, Chorus (chorus director: David Cavelius) and Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin / Vladimir Jurowski (conductor). Komische Oper, Berlin, 5.11.2019. (MB)
A rather mixed-bag concert by the Staatskapelle Berlin and Oksana Lyniv
Germany Wagner, Liszt, Silvestrov, and Prokofiev: Yury Shadrin (piano), Staatskapelle Berlin, Oksana Lyniv (conductor). Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 30.10.2019. (MB)
In Berlin François-Xavier Roth leads two enlivening and edifying concerts in one evening
Germany Haydn, Bartók, and Varèse: Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano), Sarah Aristidou (soprano), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Scholars of the Karajan Academy / François-Xavier Roth (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 26.10.2019 (MB)
Barenboim and the West-Eastern-Divan Orchestra: still an inspiration after twenty years
Germany Beethoven and Bruckner: Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), West-Eastern-Divan Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim (piano, conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 23.10.2019. (MB)
& Daniel Barenboim (piano, conductor) (c) Monika Rittershaus
Fine musical performances but an indifferent Deutsche Oper production of Les contes d’Hoffmann
Germany Offenbach, Les contes d’Hoffmann: Soloists, Chorus (chorus master: Jeremy Bines) and Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin / Daniel Carter (conductor). Deutsche Oper, Berlin, 24.10.2019. (MB)
Astonishing Elgar from Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Berlin
Germany Rachmaninov, Elgar and Strauss: Lahav Shani (piano), Staatskapelle Berlin / Daniel Barenboim (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 15.10.2019. (MB)
