Franz Schubert: Symphonie Nr. 9 (8) in C-Dur D. 944; Orchestra Mozart, Claudio Abbado; 1 CD Deutsche Grammophon 0002894794652; Live 9/11 (62'44) – Rezension von Remy Franck

Sich auf eine Wolke setzen und sich forttragen lassen in eine andere Welt, schweben und hören, nur hören und immer wieder hören, diesen Schubert, diese herrliche Musik, in dieser herrlichen Interpretation, diese himmlische Längen, hören, alles vergessen, hören, hören, nimmersatt… – So begann meine Rezension der Schubert-Symphonien, die Claudio Abbado 1987 mit dem ‘Chamber Orchestra of Europe’ gemacht hatte. Read More →

Two Boston based performing arts institutions have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that paves the way toward an eventual merger. The presidents and trustees of The Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music have been exploring the benefits of an affiliation that would create the world’s most dynamic and comprehensive programs for music, dance, and theater education. A merger agreement could take effect in 2016. Read More →

Malaysian billionaire Tan Sri Francis Yeoh has given Rome’s struggling opera house €1 million. The businessman is quoted by the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma as saying he hoped the gift would help the institution « distinguish itself on an international level as one of the most prestigious and excellent artistic centres in the world ».

The cello section is the most international at this year’s Tchaikovsky competition. There is one notable absence: German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, already a regular performer in concerts around the world, has lost track. Read More →

The Finalists at the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow have been announced. Russian will dominate the last round, but, as we heard, the French Lucas Debargue (25) has serious chances to win. Read More →

The Tchaikovsky International Competition has announced the names of the six finalists in the violin section. It’s a pretty Russian-Asian panel, aged 20-33, all of the candidates being known as prize-winners of other prestigious competitions. Read More →

Franz Schubert: Symphonien Nr. 1-8, Messe Nr. 5 As-Dur D 678, Messe Nr. 6 Es-Dur D 950, Alfonso und Estrella D 732; Luba Orgonasova, Dorothea Röschmann, Sopran, Birgit Remmert, Bernarda Fink Alt, Jonas Kaufmann, Christian Elsner, Kurt Streit, Tenor, Christian Gerhaher, Bariton, Jochen Schmeckenbecher, Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Bass-Bariton, Rundfunkchor Berlin Berliner Philharmoniker, Nikolaus Harnoncourt; Bonus Video: Nikolaus Harnoncourt über Franz Schubert; 8 CDs, 1 Blu-ray Berliner Philharmoniker BPHR150061; Stereo & Surround; 2003-2006 (o.A.) – Rezension von Remy Franck

Ein eher unausgeglichenes Set mit Schubert-Interpretationen von Nikolaus Harnoncourt legen die Berliner Philharmoniker vor. Es gibt viel Österreichisches und vor allem Ländliches in den Symphonien, und die meisten Trios sind einfach hinreißend. Zu oft aber bleibt der Dirigent mit lahmen Tempi recht schwerfällig, weil er die Rhetorik in Akzenten und Großklang sucht und Schubert mit dem großen Apparat der Berliner Philharmoniker regelrecht erdrückt. Read More →

Felix Mendelssohn: Symphonien Nr. 4 (Italienische) & 5 (Reformation); Tonkünstler-Orchester, Andrés Orozco-Estrada; 1 CD Oehms Classics OC1834; 4/14 ( 55'45) – Rezension von Remy Franck

Mendelssohns ‘Italienische Symphonie’ bekommt Flugkraft unter Andrés Orozco-Estradas magischen Händen. Federleicht gleitet die Musik durch die Lüfte, in ihrer Bewegung perfekt ausbalanciert und mit innerer Rotation stabilisiert. Besonders die beiden con moto-Sätze erlangen Freiheit pur. Mit feinsten Holzkapriolen und zahlreichen Streicher(l)einheiten wird die Musik zu purem Charme. Read More →

Sascha Goetzel
(c) Oezge Balkan

Austrian conductor Sascha Goetzel resigned with immediate effect as First Guest Conductor of the Orchestre symphonique de Bretagne, a post which he occupied since 2012. In a letter to the President of the orchestra, he says that his resignation is due to unilateral decisions by the intendant of the orchestra, Marc Feldman, concerning future programming, as well as to the fact that his name was removed from the orchestra’s website. Read More →

Zoran Mihajlovic, Sanda Vojkovic & Remy Franck at HRT Headquarters in Zagreb
© ICMA / Nicole Junio

ICMA (International Classical Music Awards) announces the Croatian Radiotelevision HRT as a new full Jury member. With headquarters in Zagreb, HRT (Croatian: Hrvatska radiotelevizija) is a public broadcasting company. It operates several radio and television channels. The official delegate for the ICMA Jury is Mrs. Sanda Vojkovic. Read More →