Germany Hindemith, Schoenberg, Mahler: Tsotne Zedginidze (piano), Bayerisches Landesjugendorchester / Sir Simon Rattle (conductor). Herkulesaal, Munich, 28.1.2024. (ALL)
Hindemith– Ragtime
Schoenberg – Piano Concerto, Op.42
Mahler – Symphony No.1, Titan
Germany can delight itself on having quite a few youth ensembles. In his earlier roles in England and Berlin, Sir Simon Rattle ceaselessly carried out younger orchestras, skilled and beginner alike. Naturally, this custom continues in Munich. Final December, he carried out the musicians of the Academy of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and right here he was on the helm of the Bavarian State Youth Orchestra.
For this significantly particular night the Herkulessaal was full. The viewers, usually composed of music lovers of all generations, was even youthful than typical however equally attentive. There have been fairly a couple of VIPs current within the corridor, however most notably Lisa Batiashvili because the younger soloist enjoying the Schoenberg is supported by her basis.
The programmes that these younger musicians current are usually something however simple. Hindemith’s Ragtime is a blinding and exuberant work harking back to Charles Ives’s fanfares. Right here the complete orchestra demonstrated its sonic energy, and the brass devices stand out with nice energy.
A smaller orchestra remained on stage for nothing lower than Schoenberg’s Piano Concerto. The night’s soloist was the younger Georgian pianist and composer Tsotne Zedginidze, who is simply …14 years outdated.
As soon as the actual shock of seeing such a younger musician on stage has handed, one naturally focuses on the music. On this removed from easy work, Zedginidze highlighted the continuity of the piece, and within the softer passages the chords have been wealthy with depth within the center voices. He might not but have the sound dynamics of extra skilled pianists however confirmed nice familiarity with and noteworthy mastery of the rating, leaving the viewers in awe.
He obtained enthusiastic applause and carried out an encore of Debussy’s Danseuses de Delphes as soon as once more bringing out the strains and harmonies with a captivating private rubato and enjoying the arpeggio chords in direction of the top with true class. One can’t assist however really feel involved about whether or not this very younger man shall be allowed to develop serenely, however on the similar time such expertise and mastery are really admirable.
Within the second half, the orchestra returned to the stage in full drive for Mahler’s First Symphony. The younger musicians appeared a bit nervous within the first motion, and a few tutti passages would have benefitted from a bit extra readability. However Rattle is aware of learn how to encourage them, and confidence steadily builds. Among the phrasing, particularly within the cellos, was fairly unique, and sure nuances very finely crafted. The second motion had momentum. The younger musicians have been cautious to not make too pronounced a crescendo within the third motion, they usually rose to the dimension of the very good finale as soon as once more, with a assured contribution from the fragile brass part.
In conclusion, permit me to share a private anecdote. On the College of Munich the place I work, one in every of my college students from Berlin nonetheless fondly recollects her participation within the Bundesjugendorchester beneath the path of Sir Simon Rattle. One other pupil, who studied violin on the Mozarteum in Salzburg, usually speaks of her distinctive expertise with the Bavarian State Youth Orchestra beneath the path of Mariss Jansons. Though many of those younger musicians finally don’t pursue a profession in music, the chance to make music in such extraordinary ensembles stays a supply of pleasure for them and their nation, but in addition for all of us.
Antoine Lévy-Leboyer
Featured Picture: Tsotne Zedginidze and Sir Simon Rattle © Astrid Ackermann
