Magic in Mahler, balance in Brahms: Manfred Honeck in Stockholm

By Alexander Hall, 29 April 2021

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“Mattei... impressively inky colouring in the lower register and keen enunciation”

Reviewed at Konserthuset Stockholm: Stora Salen, Stockholm on 29 April 2021

Mahler, Des Knaben Wunderhorn: Rheinlegendchen

Mahler, Des Knaben Wunderhorn: Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt

Mahler, Des Knaben Wunderhorn: Revelge

Mahler, Des Knaben Wunderhorn: Der Tamboursg'sell

Mahler, Rückert-Lieder: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen

Brahms, Symphony no. 1 in C minor, Op.68

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Manfred Honeck, Conductor

Peter Mattei, Baritone

Musical tributes to Festival d’Aix as it wins Birgit Nilsson Prize

Peter Quantrill, 21st October

Pierre Audi is remembered in words and music as the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence receives $1m – the richest prize in classical music – at Stockholm’s Konserthuset.

Bancroft and the Royal Stockholm Phil brass shine in Bruckner

David Karlin, 24th October

The RSPO's Chief Conductor leads an impressive Bruckner 4. With Augustin Hagelich, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is lighter fare, but trips merrily.

****1

Music, people, planet: a triumphant celebration in music for Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 18th October

The celebrated cellist becomes the first instrumentalist to be presented the Birgit Nilsson Prize by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf at the official Award Ceremony in Stockholm.

*****

Birgit Nilsson Prize: dazzling Dvořák from the ever-smiling Yo-Yo Ma

Stephen Pritchard, 16th October

Yo-Yo Ma's beatific serenity speaks volumes about his approach to life and music as he gives a performance in Stockholm's Konserthuset ahead of receiving the Birgit Nilsson Prize later in the week.

****1

Old works and new from Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the RSPO

Sandra Bowdler, 25th November

An intriguing programming of old and new works, covering the time period 1893 to 1976, which themselves contain elements of old and new, beautifully performed.

****1

Grande Finale 4: Oramo and the RSPO conclude a majestic Sibelius cycle

Roy Westbrook, 29th May

In between the two symphonies, there was an extra Sibelius item, and this time it was a novelty.

*****

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Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall divides his time between London and Hamburg, where he had a career in academic administration and teaching. He reviews for Bachtrack and Opera Today, and has also reviewed for Classical Source. A connoisseur of the great orchestras of the world, his musical memories stretch back to Karajan/Berlin Phil, Mravinsky/Leningrad Phil, Bernstein/Vienna Phil, and he has seen most of the great conductors from the past, including Böhm, Klemperer, Kubelik, Ormandy and Szell.

Magic in Mahler, balance in Brahms: Peter Mattei and Manfred Honeck in Stockholm