Germany Musikfest Berlin 2016 [1] – Henze, Bruckner: Julia Fischer (violin), Konzerthausorchester Berlin/Iván Fischer (conductor), Philharmonie, Berlin. 8.9.2016. (MC)
Magnificent Bruckner Seven from Fischer and Konzerhausorchester Berlin
Michael Cookson
ARABELLA STEINBACHER IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL COOKSON
Arabella Steinbacher in conversation with Michael Cookson, Dresden 2016
My first exposure to the playing of Munich born violinist Arabella Steinbacher was in 2011 when reviewing her recording of the Shostakovich violin concertos on Orfeo. http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/June11/Shostakovich_Steinbacher_C687061A.htm
A child prodigy on the violin Steinbacher started lessons aged 3 and 5 years later became the youngest violin student of Ana Chumachenko at the Munich Academy of Music. In 2000 Steinbacher won the Joseph-Joachim-Violinwettbewerbes Hannover when she was 19 and the Förderpreis des Freistaates Bayern a year later. In 2004 she made her concert debut playing at short notice for an indisposed soloist with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under Sir Neville Marriner in Paris.
Certainly a thrilling musician, Steinbacher has made an impressive reputation for herself with several excellent recordings under her belt. One of the finest violinists around compared to a group of talented soloists of her generation, curiously, she is not as well known as her talent deserves; especially in the U.K.
JAN VOGLER IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL COOKSON
Jan Vogler in conversation with Michael Cookson
Not only is Jan Vogler a renowned cellist on the international stage but driven by his insatiable appetite for music he also serves as Intendant of the Dresden Music Festival; with his contract recently extended until 2021. I have attended the festival for several years and under Vogler’s management the festival has grown to one of international renown attracting the world’s finest artists.
PIOTR BECZALA IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL COOKSON
Piotr Beczała in conversation with Michael Cookson
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to interview star international tenor Piotr Beczała whom I met in the lounge of his Dresden hotel. There was a great feeling of anticipation in the city for the revival of Christine Mielitz’s Lohengrin at the Semperoper as in few days time. Piotr was to sing the title role with Anna Netrebko as Elsa; their first Wagner roles.
Steinbacher Captivates and Janowski Impresses In Dresden’s Frauenkirche
Germany Dresden Music Festival 2016 – Vaughan Williams, Chausson, Bruckner: Arabella Steinbacher (violin), WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln/Marek Janowski – Frauenkirche, Dresden, 20.5.2016 (MC)
Lohengrin Revival Provides a Night to Remember in Dresden
Germany Wagner, Lohengrin: Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden, Herren des Sinfoniechores Dresden, Extrachor der Semperoper Dresden, Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden / Christian Thielemann (conductor). Semperoper, Dresden, 19.5.2016. (MC)
Explosive Power from Israel Philharmonic in Shostakovich’s Sixth Symphony
Germany Tchaikovsky, Wolpe, Shostakovich: David Garrett (violin), Jacob Reuven (mandolin), Heidi Steger (accordion), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Omer Meir Wellber (conductor), Frauenkirche, Dresden, 18.5.2016. (MC)
Dresdner Oktett’s Chamber Evening Deservedly Attracts Capacity Crowd
Germany Beethoven, Schubert, ‘Kammerabend’: Dresdner Oktett, Semperoper, Dresden, 17.5.16. (MC)
