Author Archives: Mark Pullinger

Mahler in all his might: Nelsons and the Vienna Philharmonic raise the roof in Salzburg

Nelsons/ Vienna Philharmonic Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 8th August 2020 In your average concert-going year, Mahler symphonies are ubiquitous. But 2020 has been no ordinary year. Social distancing has meant the only live Mahler I’ve seen streamed post-lockdown has been in chamber versions: … Continue reading

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School for lovers: Loy’s bitter lessons at the Salzburg Festival

Mozart: Così fan tutte Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 2nd August 2020 Così fan tutte is usually translated into English as “All women are like that”. At this summer’s Salzburg Festival, Christof Loy prefers to focus on the opera’s subtitle, La scuola degli amanti (The School … Continue reading

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Kitchen sink Carmen: Cristian Măcelaru rounds off the ONF season in style

Cristian Măcelaru/ Orchestre National de France Maison de la Radio, Paris, 23rd July 2020 Let’s hear it for the percussion department! They literally take a back seat in the orchestra and, in these days of slimline orchestral performances, are often … Continue reading

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Rattle returns to Munich via a fairy garden

Simon Rattle/ Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Philharmonie im Gasteig, 20th July 2020 Simon Rattle’s passport has seen more action of late than my Oyster Card! Since his last encounter with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in June (played to an empty … Continue reading

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Two “Firsts” as Beethoven opens the Pärnu Music Festival

Paavo Järvi/ Tallinn Chamber Orchestra Pärnu Concert Hall, 16th July 2020 What a difference a year makes. Last July, I was basking on the white sands of Pärnu, Estonia’s summer capital, dotted about with spa hotels and pretty dachas. I … Continue reading

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