Autumnal Strauss, then a mountain trek

By Mark Pullinger, 20 May 2017

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“We slipped on the glacier... but, in Thielemann and the Dresdners, we were in safe hands”

Reviewed at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris on 19 May 2017

Strauss R., Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs)

Strauss R., Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op.64

Renée Fleming, Soprano

Christian Thielemann, Conductor

Staatskapelle Dresden

Staatskapelle Dresden provides scintillating finish for Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 4th June

In a powerful performance conducted by Daniele Gatti, Verdi’s Requiem soars with optimistic energy to close the Prague Spring festival in Smetana Hall.

*****

Staatskapelle Dresden’s sonic alchemy at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 2nd June

From the earthy joy of Meistersinger to the sublime textures of Debussy, Daniele Gatti channels the Dresdeners' legendary, layered warmth into an unforgettable evening of pure acoustic luxury.

****1

Schumann from the inside out: Yunchan Lim and Staatskapelle Dresden

SangKwon Lee, 1st February

Yunchan Lim seldom seeks the spotlight in a reflective, conversational account of Schumann's Piano Concerto, conducted by Myung-whun Chung.

*****

High-caliber Schumann and Mahler at Dvořák’s Prague

Frank Kuznik, 14th September

Daniele Gatti and Kirill Gerstein offer fresh, invigorating takes on two warhorses with the Staatskapelle Dresden.

*****

Thielemann bids farewell to Dresden with an excellent new FroSch

Ako Imamura, 27th March

David Bösch directs a creative and thoughtful new production of Die Frau ohne Schatten at the Semperoper in Christian Thielemann's final opera as Principal Conductor.

*****

Detlev Glanert's Die Jüdin von Toledo premieres at the Semperoper

Zenaida des Aubris, 10th February

Robert Carsen stages the world premiere production of Glanert's opera, based Franz Grillparzer's 1851 play, in stringent, minimalist style.

*****

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Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.

Autumnal Strauss, then a bracing mountain trek with the Staatskapelle Dresden in Paris