Kimmel Center Blog

Berlin Staatskapelle, February 8th

The Berlin Staatskapelle is that city's oldest orchestra, and this trip to the U.S. is only its third in its 436-year history. Daniel Barenboim will lead the Berlin Staatskapelle in an all-Mozart program as well as conduct from the piano for Mozart's Piano Concerto, No. 23. Provided the Maestro's health allows, there will also be an Artist chat after the concert, moderated by Mervon Mehta, Vice President of Programming and Education.

This is the second performance in our Great Orchestras on Tour series. Did you see the New York Phil in January? How did this program compare? Did you enjoy hearing an all-Mozart program, especially given all the fanfare surrounding Mozart's 250th birthday celebration?

Edited to add a photo of the Berlin Staatskapelle performing in Verizon Hall. Photograph by Evelyn Taylor.

I really enjoyed the Berlin Staatskapelle concert. I hope that Maestro Barenboim recovers from his ailment. It was a shame that he was unable to host the artist chat after the concert. It seemed that he wanted to stay out longer, but members of the orchestra wouldn't let him.

Wow. As I wander the halls this morning and talk to all my colleagues who were there last night for this performance, it's clear to me everyone came away with something very special to say.

Everyone listened with great attentiveness, and despite whatever quibbles they might have had about certain details, to a person all had a very special night.

Barenboim had not been feeling particularly well as had been widely reported in the press, but he gave musically more than I had seen in a long time. And that's a tall statement as only very rarely do we have an artist on our stages who doesn't give 100%.

IMHO, this orchestra, under his direction and in his hands, had a great elasticity and suppleness and responsiveness that was able to give him literally whatever he asked.

-Fast outer movements in Jupter, no problem.
-Wide tempo fluctuations in 39, no problem
-Chamber music in the piano concerto, no problem.
-Rigid tempos in Jupiter, no problem.

Whatever he asked for, he got. A great band, fairly young, played exqusitely.

Quibble? Opening of last movement of 39...oops, not enough upbeat to prep first violins for the start, oops! A lttle ragged. On the repeat? Perfect. So what does the maestro do? Tips his hat to them! (Anyone see principal viola chuckle?)

And, what seems to be one of his favorite things to do...in Jupiter, stand back, put one hand in his trouser pocket, and barely conduct if at all to let them play on their own...showmanship? or great playing?

Plus, one critic said to me he thought Barenboim was having more fun or enjoyment with the music nowadays than in recent years.

I think his sense of phrasing and delineation of structure and architecture was clearer last night than I had ever heard from his conducting.

Essentially, Mozart the way I like to hear it. Not an overblown and oversized orchestra, but not an early music ensemble either. Allows the genius of Mozart to come through and for the music to speak for itself.

When I come away from a concert having enjoyed it so much both emotionally and critically, I can honestly say it was a success!

Paul

Barenboim was in fine form last night as conductor and performer. His playing on the Piano Concerto was fluid and, at times, mesmerizing. The second movement, in particular, was wonderful. And the Jupiter Symphony, if a little quick, was thrilling, a real triumph.

An all-Mozart night? Normally, that might be a little too heavy on the senses, like eating three main courses, nary an appetizer or desert in sight, but with the Berlin Staatskapelle, it was well worth it. Hopefully, they'll return.

I felt the concert was impressive from start to finish. How could it not with an orchestra with such a long and impressive history and with a conductor with his own impressive history of conducting,performing and recording. European orchestras just have that special something in them(tradition, something in the water?!!?).Whatever it was a beautiful night of music.Too bad about the post concert talk - after attending his talk after the Chicago concert I was looking forward to this. An intelligent man with a lot of important things to say. Hopefully next time...
Also fun was seeing Simon Rattle (whose Bruckner #7 with Philadelphia last week was breathtaking) and Alfred Brendel in the 1st Tier for the first half of the concert - would have liked to have listened in on their conversation to hear their thoughts! They were applauding and smiling - a good sign.
One complaint though - as an audience member it's not fun to be coughed on AND sneezed on throught the ENTIRE show. Come on people I know it's cold and flu season but help is available at your local CVS. I'm not trying to be heartless but we all pay a lot for these tickets, do we really have to add a doctor bill to it also the next day. Maybe rethink coming if you have a mild case of pneumonia!!!

I can only concur with what has already been said. A very exciting show. Yes, the tempos were swift, but never to excess. In fact, the minuet in 39 was the best-paced I’ve heard--not so fast as Pinnock or Mackerrras and not so slow as Bernstein or Bohm--and that particular movement wasn’t even the highlight of the evening for me!

Oh, and perhaps I can suggest that complimentary cough drops be handed out at the door.