Kulturkompasset | critics of culture events

BRAHMS WITH PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA IN PARIS


Under the direction of Christoph von Dohnányi, the Philharmonia Orchestra was guesting Theatre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, presenting Johannes Brahms 4 Symphonies during two evenings, October 23rd with no 3 and 1, and Saturday 24th no 4 and 2

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It was a fantastic possibility to enjoy all Brahms 4 Symphonies in this way during two evenings after each other, and played by the same Symphony orchestra and the same conductor, and it became two good evenings.  

It continued after the break with Brahms 1st Symphony, opus 68, composed in 1854, followed up during 1874-76, where it in 1876 was finished in Baden-Baden during the summer. Premiered November 4th 1876 in Karlsruhe at Grossherzogliches Hoftheater, conducted by Otto Dessoff. It has a younger spirit, and is too getting inspiration from his predecessor’s composers in the same field, as it is clear to hear. A younger spirit, tempi, and another use of the instruments, so to say that he is letting them get great possibilities for wonderful solo parts, such as the 1 violin, James Clark, That was then it happened in the second movement, from that violin solo I was being inspired, and it looked, and sounded like the orchestra got the inspiration. Continuing after the violin solo with the solo horn and solo flute in 3rd movement, and too by letting the trombones takeover the horn theme it is lifting the 1st symphony up to another level just before the famous well-known singing tune introduced by the violin and followed by the violins running out in the brilliant finale ending by bringing the big tune deeper. A great finale lifted it all up to another level of pleasure.

 

Second evening opened with 4th Symphony, composed in Mürzzuschlag during the summer 1884 and 1885. Premiere in Meiningen, October 25th 1885 by Hofkapelle conducted by the composer. ¤th Symphony is one of the most beautiful Brahms Symphonies, opens with one of his bellowed themes, which is the the going through idea through all the Symphony, mostly composed in e-minor.

The Adagio part, which is second are bringing in another bellowed theme. In this von Dohnányi chose to keep the tempo relaxed, and the entrance nearby in pianissimo, which gave a wonderful effect when later the entire orchestra is playing fortissimo for a while.

Third movement was slightly fresher, which gave a good contrast to the second and the too was opening up for the 4th movement during this part we enjoyed the triangle belling on top with fresh accents. The 4th part is like collecting all the atmospheres in what has been passing by.

2nd Symphony, composed in Pörtschach during the summer 1877. Brahms has too arranged this symphony for piano, but this time for one piano but 4 hands. Premiered in Vienna, Musikverein, December 30th by die Wiener Philharmonic, conducted by Hans Richter. In this Symphony Brahms are letting the deep strings taking the lead. Beautiful.   

Through all these Symphonies Mr. von Dohnányi is placing the orchestra with the 1st violins left as normal, followed by cellos with contrabasses behind, and in the right side 2nd violins in front with alto violins behind. For the audience it gives an interesting sound when first violins on some parts are so closely contrasting cellos and contrabasses, – beautiful. Fourth movement is deliciously starting with wooden instruments and pizzicato in cellos. In this I was thinking about Brahms wonderful chamber music, but here for big orchestra.

Christoph von Dohnanyi, photo: Henning Høholt

Christoph von Dohnanyi, photo: Henning Høholt

For all the Symphonies Mr. von Dohnányi was conducting without notes, which of course give the audience an even better feeling of how he formed the many details from heart.  When von Dohnányi is conducting fast and being engaged in the music, it looks like he is riding a horse in gallop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Clark, 1st violin in The Philharmonia Orchestra. Photo: Henning Høholt

James Clark, 1st violin in The Philharmonia Orchestra
. Photo: Henning Høholt

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA IN PARIS, 09, Photo: Henning Høholt

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA IN PARIS, 09, Photo: Henning Høholt

 It all started with Brahms 3rd Symphony opus 90, composed during the summer 1883 in Wiesbaden. Brahms has too realized an arrangement of the symphony for two pianos. Premiere in Musikvereinsaal in Vienna 2 December 1883 by Wiener Philharmonic conducted by Hans Richter. This symphony is immediately giving us the right Brahms feeling, introducing his musical ideas, his splendid use of a large orchestra, where no one is having free time. – But spite in the brilliant quality of the musicians, it was a bit boring. I was sitting waiting for that it should be lifted up to another level.

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