Thielemann fails to scale the Alpine Symphony's peaks

By Robert Markow, 23 November 2016

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“a performance that combined boldness with lyricism, self-assurance with elegance”

Reviewed at Suntory Hall: Main Hall, Tokyo on 22 November 2016

Beethoven, Piano Concerto no. 2 in B flat major, Op.19

Bach, Partita no. 1 in B flat major, BWV825: Menuet

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

Christian Thielemann, Conductor

Kit Armstrong, Piano

Staatskapelle Dresden

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.

*****

Moving singing, but missed opportunities in Dresden’s new Aida

Zoltán Szabó, 17th March

Katharina Thalbach offers a traditional staging at the Semperoper, with fine vocal performances led by Krassimira Stoyanova, Francesco Meli and Oksana Volkova.

***11

Prom 63: Explosive Rachmaninov from Yuja Wang

Stephen Pritchard, 5th September

Outstanding playing from soloist and Staatskapelle Dresden makes this a Prom to remember.

*****

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Robert Markow

Formerly a horn player in the Montreal Symphony, Robert Markow now writes programme notes for that orchestra and for many other musical organizations. He taught at Montreal’s McGill University for many years, has led music tours to several countries, and has written for numerous leading classical music journals.

Impressive Beethoven, but Thielemann fails to scale the peaks of Strauss' Alpine Symphony in Tokyo