THE BEST OF 2017
Mark Berry
Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Magic Brightens the Darkness of the Berlin Winter
Germany Bartók and Mendelssohn: Vilde Frang (violin), Mari Eriksmoen (soprano), Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano), Ladies of the Philharmonia Chor Wien (chorus master: Walter Zeh), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Iván Fischer (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 21.12.2017. (MB)
An Eclectic Programme from the Members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Germany Takemitsu, Strauss, Prokofiev, and Bruch: Members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 18.12.2017. (MB)
Thielemann’s Beethoven is Not Overwhelming, but Food for Thought
Germany Beethoven: Luba Orgonášová (soprano), Elisabeth Kulman (mezzo-soprano), Daniel Behle (tenor), Franz-Josef Selig (bass). Berlin Radio Choir (chorus master: Philipp Ahmann), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 14.12.2017. (MB)
Far from Vintage Hänsel und Gretel
Germany Humperdinck, Hänsel und Gretel: Soloists, Children’s Chorus of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (chorus master: Vincenz Weissenburger), Staatskapelle Berlin / Sebastian Weigle (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 11.12.2017. (MB)
Anna Prohaska Shines as Monteverdi’s Poppea
Germany Monteverdi, L’incoronazione di Poppea: Soloists, Akademie für Alte Musik, Berlin / Diego Fasolis (conductor). Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, 10.12.2017. (MB)
Beethoven, Borowski and Barenboims: Invention both in Work and in Performance
Germany Beethoven and Borowski: Michael Barenboim (violin), Kian Soltani (cello), Daniel Barenboim (piano). Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, 19.11.2017 (MB)
Dvořák’s Stabat Mater Masterfully Conducted by Jakub Hrůša
Germany Dvořák: Simona Šaturová (soprano), Elisabeth Kulman (contralto), Steve Davislim (tenor), Jan Martiník (bass), Berlin Radio Choir (chorus master: Rustam Samedov), Schola of the Berlin Radio Choir (chorus master: Benjamin Goodson), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jakub Hrůša (conductor). Philharmonie, Berlin, 17.11.2017. (MB)