Peter Mattei's moving Mahler in Gothenburg season opener

By Timothy Robson, 10 September 2020

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“the sheen of his voice, his sensitivity to text and suavity of delivery were very much in evidence”

Reviewed at Gothenburg Concert Hall, Gothenburg on 10 September 2020

Beethoven, Symphony no. 1 in C major, Op.21

MacMillan, Larghetto for orchestra

Mahler, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen

Lehár, Gold und Silber Walzer, Op.79

Peter Mattei, Baritone

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Manfred Honeck, Conductor

Memorable Symphone fantastique, austere Sibelius from the GSO

David Karlin, 25th November

The precise control of Santu-Matthias Rouvali yields a reference Symphonie fantastique from the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra; the Sibelius Violin Concerto is less convincing.

****1

Hannigan balances light and dark in Gothenburg

Cameron Kelsall, 17th September

The program prominently featured compositions by Canadian composer Claude Vivier alongside works of Haydn and Busoni.

****1

Barbara Hannigan tackles Mahler’s Fourth in Gothenburg

Edward Sava-Segal, 1st October

Singing as well as conducting, Barbara Hannigan leads the GSO in symphonies by Haydn and Mahler.

****1

Pandemic programming: Shostakovich and Sibelius in Gothenburg

Roy Westbrook, 17th September

Saraste’s mastery in Sibelius is hardly a surprise, and neither is the calibre of the orchestra Sibelius himself often visited to conduct.

****1

Ravel’s playful sound worlds with Alice Sara Ott

David Renke, 20th February

In which Santtu-Matias Rouvali and the Gothenburg Symphony seek out a contrast with the dark sound colours of Sibelius.

****1

Rouvali brings Kullervo to Gothenburg

David Karlin, 14th September

Sibelius' Kalevala-inspired epic is given the full treatment by the Orphei Drängar choir and the Gothenburg Symphony in Santtu-Matias Rouvali's inaugural concert as Chief Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony.

****1

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Timothy Robson

We are saddened to learn of the death of Tim Robson, a long-time Bachtrack contributor (2012-21). Tim was an organist in Cleveland, Ohio and his repertoire extended to all musical periods, with a special interest in contemporary music. As a blogger he was a regular contributor to ClevelandClassical.com. In his parallel career as a librarian, Tim was Associate Director for Academic Engagement at the Kelvin Smith Library of Case Western Reserve University. Our condolences to his family.

Peter Mattei's moving Mahler in Gothenburg SO's digital season opener