Kirill Petrenko praises Furtwängler and Harnoncourt as musical counterparts.
In the world of classical music, few collaborations have been as fruitful as that between Kirill Petrenko and the Berlin Philharmonic. The Russian conductor, who took the helm as chief conductor in 2019, has a unique vision for the orchestra: to create a synthesis of different musical styles among the musicians.
Petrenko's respect for the Berlin Philharmonic is evident. He finds a proximity between the orchestra's history and that of conductors like Furtwängler and Harnoncourt, who received impulses from older conductors, according to Petrenko. The orchestra's performance of Rachmaninoff's "Francesca da Rimini" under Petrenko's leadership was a journey through the purgatory of expression, demonstrating the depth of their connection.
After six years, Petrenko and the Berlin Philharmonic have become so accustomed to each other that he doesn't have to explain much anymore, according to Eva-Maria Tomasi, a violinist and orchestra board member. Tomasi expressed gratitude for the Baroque specialists, as they help train a certain flexibility in the orchestra. Playing with specialists has always been "a very fruitful collaboration" for the Berlin Philharmonic, she added.
The Berlin Philharmonic is internationally staffed, with musicians coming from many different nations. This internationalism, combined with a deep respect for the orchestra's tradition, is what makes the Berlin Philharmonic unique, according to Petrenko. The balance between tradition and internationalism is a delicate one, but Petrenko navigates it skillfully.
Petrenko is more interested in the metaphysical than the theatrical. This is evident in the Berlin Philharmonic's recent concert performance of "Madama Butterfly" in Baden-Baden, which was heart-wrenching and captivating. The orchestra's interpretation was not purely romantic, but rougher, harder, and more linguistic, according to Petrenko, reflecting his preference for a deeper, more profound interpretation.
The Berlin Philharmonic's history is rich and storied. Herbert von Karajan conducted the orchestra and left notable recordings, including live concerts from Lucerne in the early 1950s featuring Beethoven and Mozart, as well as a famous 1955 recording of Bach's concerto with Clara Haskil and Géza Anda. Pierre Boulez also conducted the Berlin Philharmonic starting in 1961, with recordings of his own works and those by Debussy and Weber.
Petrenko cited the Berlin Philharmonic's performance of Bruckner's Fifth under Furtwängler in 1942 as an example of a significant old interpretation. This performance, along with the orchestra's more recent collaborations with early music specialists, has led to a change in their interpretative work. The Berlin Philharmonic continues to evolve, while remaining faithful to its roots.
This season, Jordi Savall will make his debut on the podium of the Berlin Philharmonic. With Petrenko at the helm, the orchestra is poised for a future of innovation and tradition, a harmonious blend that has made it one of the world's most respected ensembles.
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