Tag Archives: Beethoven

Two “Firsts” as Beethoven opens the Pärnu Music Festival

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

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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A double cause for celebration in Paris

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

Klaus Mäkelä/ Orchestre de Paris Philharmonie de Paris, 9th July 2020 What the English would call “a red letter day”, the French would call “un jour à marquer d’une pierre blanche” – a day to be marked with a white … Continue reading →

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Mercurial Martha: Argerich springs a surprise in recital with Renaud Capuçon in Hamburg

Posted on June 27, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

Martha Argerich, Renaud Capuçon Laeiszhalle Hamburg, 25th June 2020 This was 24-carat special. Since its long overdue (and grossly over-budget) debut in 2017, the shiny new Elbphilharmonie has dominated Hamburg’s musical life. However, the Laeiszhalle – over a century older … Continue reading →

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Vienna’s Musikverein reawakens to a defiant Beethoven Fifth

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

Daniel Barenboim/ Vienna Philharmonic Großer Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, 5th June 2020 Musical life is slowly returning to Europe, emerging from its enforced hibernation like a slightly nervous bear stretching a speculative paw out into the world. Concerts performed to empty … Continue reading →

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Beethoven keeps the flame burning: Salonen and the Philharmonia recreate the 1808 Akademie

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Mark Pullinger

Beethoven: 1808 Reconstructed Salonen/ Philharmonia, Royal Festival Hall, 15th March 2020 The legendary Akademie at the Theater an der Wien on 22nd December 1808 was quite an event: a benefit concert for Ludwig van Beethoven, stuffed with premieres. Some of … Continue reading →

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