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Chilly brilliance from Salonen in Stravinsky and Berlioz at the Salzburg Festival

Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Vienna Philharmonic
© SF | Marco Borrelli
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Marina Viotti and the Vienna Philharmonic
© SF | Marco Borrelli
By Chanda VanderHart, 28 July 2025
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“more magnifying glass than wildfire”
Reviewed at Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg on 27 July 2025
Programme
Stravinsky, Oedipus Rex
Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique, Op.14
Performers
Christoph Waltz, Speaker
Allan Clayton, Tenor
Marina Viotti, Mezzo-soprano
Michael Volle, Baritone
Albert Dohmen, Bass-baritone
Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien
Johannes Prinz, Choirmaster / chorus director
Vienna Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Conductor
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Redemption and musical caffeine: Nelsons conducts Mahler 8 in Vienna
Mark Pullinger, 10th May
Sunday morning Mahler at the Wiener Konzerthaus sees Andris Nelsons concluding his symphony cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic in shattering fashion. 
****1
Wrangling the octopus: Mahler’s Ninth with Sir Simon Rattle
Chanda VanderHart, 17th April
Less a symphony, more a force of nature, Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Vienna Philharmonic in a turbulent, yet spacious reading of Mahler's Ninth Symphony in the Musikverein. 
****1
Shared language and living history: Zubin Mehta and the Vienna Phil
Chanda VanderHart, 19th March
Zubin Mehta, Pinchas Zukerman and the Vienna Philharmonic meet in repertoire they know intimately, illuminating it through mutual understanding. 
*****
Vienna Philharmonic closes Carnegie residency
Edward Sava-Segal, 1st March
Andris Nelsons pairs Richard Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra with Sibelius’ Second Symphony to conclude the Vienna Philharmonic's latest Carnegie Hall residency. 
****1
Contemplation and exuberance: Vienna Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall
Susan Stempleski, 28th February

Andris Nelsons conducts the Vienna Philharmonic in the New York premiere of a solemn, modernist work paired with two high-spirited symphonies from the 18th and 19th centuries.

****1
A vanished Old World with the Vienna Philharmonic in Hamburg
Mengguang Huang, 20th January
A Vienna Philharmonic evening conjures a vanished world: Strauss’ muscular drama and intimate humour, Haydn’s inward gravity and a graceful waltz to close.
****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Albert DohmenAllan ClaytonChristoph WaltzEsa-Pekka SalonenHector BerliozIgor StravinskyJohannes PrinzMarina ViottiMichael VolleOedipus RexSingverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in WienSymphonie fantastique, Op.14Vienna Philharmonic
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Chanda VanderHart
Chanda VanderHart
Dr. Chanda VanderHart is a pianist, musicologist and creative who lives, works and plays in Vienna, Austria. For more on Chanda and her projects, click here.