Sonic brilliance and immersive energy from the Tonhalle in Hamburg

Víkingur Ólafsson, Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle-Orchester

By Mengguang Huang, 16 March 2025

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“a monumental toccata, clearly structured yet unpredictably thrilling”

Reviewed at Elbphilharmonie: Grand Hall, Hamburg on 16 March 2025

Ligeti, Concert Românesc

Adams, After the Fall, for piano and orchestra

Bach, Goldberg Variations, BWV988 (Variation 13)

Lutosławski, Concerto for Orchestra

Víkingur Ólafsson, Piano

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich

Paavo Järvi, Conductor

Bracing Beethoven at Dvořák’s Prague

Frank Kuznik, 8th September

Now in its 23rd year, the festival offers a broader perspective on its namesake's influences and music as this program by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and Paavo Järvi demonstrates.

****1

Bright and breezy Dvořák as the Tonhalle returns to the Proms

Mark Pullinger, 30th August

A familiar face on the London scene, Paavo Järvi brings the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich to the Proms for the first time since 2014.

****1

Fledgling Schubert and domesticated Strauss brighten up the Tonhalle

Sarah Batschelet, 8th February

Zurich’s Tonhalle Orchestra give a stunning performance of works by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss under guest conductor Franz Welser-Möst.

****1

Berlioz and Brahms brighten up the Tonhalle

Sarah Batschelet, 27th January

The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich plays Schoenberg's orchestration of Brahms' G minor Piano Quartet, while Antoine Tamestit joins the orchestra as wandering soloist in Berlioz' Harold in Italy.

****1

Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle show their class at the Elbphilharmonie

Alexander Hall, 12th November

Fazıl Say's Mozart is an acquired taste, but Paavo Järvi's Bruckner is a masterclass in how to conduct this composer.

****1

Paavo Järvi's mighty Bruckner 8 at the Elbphilharmonie

Alexander Hall, 11th November

Bruckner's Eighth Symphony should never leave you cold. It is almost impossible for any interpreter to satisfy all expectations in such a multi-faceted work, but Paavo Järvi came pretty close.

*****

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Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.

Sonic brilliance and immersive energy from Järvi, Ólafsson and the Tonhalle