Beethoven-Spektakel: Hengelbrocks Rekunstruktionsakademie von 1808

By Jens Klier, 05 February 2020

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Bezuidenhout surfte auf der Welle der träumerischen Zauberei”

Reviewed at BOZAR: Main hall, Brussels on 4 February 2020

Beethoven, Fantasia in C minor for piano, chorus, and orchestra "Choral Fantasy", Op.80

Beethoven, Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major, Op.58

Beethoven, Mass in C major, Op.86

Kristian Bezuidenhout, Piano

Balthasar-Neumann-Chor

Balthasar-Neumann-Ensemble

Thomas Hengelbrock, Conductor

Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 14th October

Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle, stripped to piano, harmonium and voices, unfolds like a musical sphinx in the Balthasar-Neumann’s performance at the Elbphilharmonie.

****1

The Carsen effect: brilliant Iphigénie in Paris

Tristan Labouret, 22nd June

The Canadian director's aesthetic is a perfect fit for Gluck's work. Dazzling performances by Gaëlle Arquez and Stéphane Degout. Great musical direction by Thomas Hengelbrock.

*****

Pathos and wonder: A superb Elijah oratorio in Zurich

Sarah Batschelet, 6th March

Under conductor Thomas Hengelbrock, the Tonhalle Orchester ensemble and 60-voice configuration of the Balthasar Neumann Choir perform the legendary Elijah oratorio at Zurich’s Tonhalle Maag.

*****

An early start to Easter: Bach in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 17th March

The Balthasar-Neumann-Chor and Ensemble performed a deeply moving, if slightly uneven, St John Passion, setting off the Oslo Church Music Festival.

****1

Pablo Heras-Casado explores Monteverdi in Barcelona

Pep Gorgori, 9th February

Having received excellent reviews for his Mahler, Verdi, Wagner and Shostakovich, Pablo Heras-Casado decided to programme a composer he has loved since his youth: Claudio Monteverdi.

****1

Orpheus and Eurydice at Teatro Real

Fernando Remiro, 12th July

Almost 40 years after its première, Pina Bausch's daring reinterpretation of the myth of Orpheus still captivates audiences worldwide. This tanzoper is one of the most accomplished attempts to create a contemporary tragedy, an enthralling reflection on human boundaries and the acceptance of death.

****1

More reviews...

Jens Klier

Vor seinem Rechtswissenschafts-Studium in Bayreuth und Bonn widmete sich Jens Klier seit frühester Kindheit musikalisch der Violine (Repertoire vom 17. bis 20. Jahrhundert). Während er zudem mit Gesang und dem Leben im Orchesterbetrieb groß wurde, entwickelte sich ein besonderes Interesse an der sogenannten 'Historischen Aufführungspraxis' und authentischen Instrumenten. Diese Leidenschaft hält sich hartnäckig, sodass er sie mit Vorliebe für das Barocke anstatt mit Finger und Bogen nun in Form der Musikkritik zu Gehör bringt. U.a. Telemann-Fan, Liebhaber J. S. Bachs Genies und Entdecker neuerer, seltenerer 'Alter Musik'.