Dudamel and the Berlin Phil raise the roof with spellbinding Mahler 5

Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker

Gustavo Dudamel, Milica Djordjević and the Berliner Philharmoniker

By Clare Varney, 22 October 2023

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“quite simply, one of the finest readings of a Mahler symphony I have ever heard”

Reviewed at Philharmonie: Großer Saal, Berlin on 20 October 2023

Blacher, Fanfare for the Opening of the Philharmonie

Djordjević, Little firefly, glaringly illuminated and frightened by unbearable beauty (World premiere)

Mahler, Symphony no. 5 in C sharp minor

Berliner Philharmoniker

Gustavo Dudamel, Conductor

Petrenko and Serebrennikov forge a new Ring in Salzburg

Phillip Richter, 1st April

The Berliner Philharmoniker’s much-anticipated return to Salzburg gets off to an impressive musical start. Kirill Serebrennikov’s staging raises numerous questions, but answers few of them.

****1

Kirill Petrenko and the Berliner Philharmoniker in Seoul

SangKwon Lee, 9th November

On their Asian tour, the Berliner Philharmoniker reaffirms its renown in a concert of Schumann and Brahms at the Seoul Arts Center.

*****

Pitch perfect: Petrenko conducts Dusapin, Zimmermann and Brahms

Elena Luporini, 17th September

At this year's Musikfest Berlin, Kirill Petrenko conducts his Berliner Philharmoniker in a devilishly intricate programme.

****1

A place to call our own: Marin Alsop in Berlin

Elena Luporini, 22nd February

For her debut at the head of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Marin Alsop reflects on what a ‘home’ is through works by Tarkiainen, Dean, Copland and Villa-Lobos.

****1

Robertson conducts the German premiere of Srnka's Superorganisms

Elena Luporini, 13th February

At the Philharmonie, David Robertson steps in for Kirill Petrenko for a concert all about the wonders of nature, featuring Varèse, Srnka and Beethoven.

****1

Berlin Phil à la hongroise with Seong-Jin Cho

Elena Luporini, 9th December

The Berlin Phil celebrates Seong-Jin Cho's recently inaugurated residency with a Hungarian-themed chamber concert.

****1

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Clare Varney

Clare is a freelance writer and music critic from the UK, currently living in the Netherlands where she writes about Music, Food and Culture. Clare is a passionate musician, having learnt the violin and piano from an early age. When not at her laptop writing, she spends her time nurturing the next generation of brass players, all from her Dutch kitchen in the sky. Read more at The Spidy Editor.

Gustavo Dudamel and the Berliner Philharmoniker raise the roof with a spellbinding Mahler 5