Riveting Schumann and Schubert in Tokyo

By Alan Yu, 03 July 2017

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“He tamed an orchestra of Brahmsian scale to give a Mozartian effect”

Reviewed at NHK Hall, Tokyo on 1 July 2017

Schumann, Genoveva, Op.81: Overture

Schumann, Cello Concerto in A minor, Op.129

Schubert, Symphony no. 9 in C major, "The Great", D.944

NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo

Paavo Järvi, Conductor

Tanja Tetzlaff, Cello

The NHK Symphony Orchestra explores its history in its centenary

Nahoko Gotoh, 24th April

As part of its centenary celebrations this season, the NHK Symphony Orchestra has curated a Japanese Composer Series with three intriguing concerts, of which this concert is the second.

****1

María Dueñas lets Beethoven breathe at Suntory Hall

SangKwon Lee, 19th September

María Dueñas’ Tokyo performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto is less about display than about the living drama between held breath and release.

*****

Luisi opens NHKSO's new season with Franz Schmidt

Nahoko Gotoh, 13th September

As a leading exponent of Franz Schmidt's music, conductor Fabio Luisi leads the NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo in a rare performance of his Fourth Symphony for the orchestra's season opener.

****1

A versatile NHK shines at Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 15th May

Conducted by Fabio Luisi, Japan's premier orchestra serves up a superb blend of Eastern and Western music and influences.

****1

Joyful Mozart from Ton Koopman and the NHK Symphony

Nahoko Gotoh, 21st September

At Suntory Hall, Ton Koopman and the NHK Symphony Orchestra bring elegance and exuberance to an all-Mozart programme including a flute concerto featuring its principal flautist.

****1

Luisi and the NHK SO begin partnership with a Requiem for our times

Nahoko Gotoh, 11th September

For whatever reason Fabio Luisi chose Verdi's Requiem for his inauguration concert with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo, it turned out to be an apt and poignant choice.

****1

More reviews...

Alan Yu

The first concert Alan attended was Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde. For 7 years he presented classical music programmes for Radio Television Hong Kong, partly to pay his way through university. He attends concerts whenever he can and believes there is no substitute for the thrill of live performances. He writes here.

Paavo Järvi and the NHK Symphony in riveting account of Schumann and Schubert