TO CONTACT: ELISABETTA LONGARDI, GENERAL MANAGEMENT http://www.resiartists.it/ita/artisti/recensioni.asp?idArtista=178
e.longardi@resiartists.it
RESIA ARTISTS Via Gioberti 1 20123 - Milano - Italy Tel: +39-02654161-2-3 Fax: +39-026597851
UPDATE: SUMMER 2008:
Summer 2008
Dear Friends,
We are sometimes treated to blessings that come in the face of adversity. While rehearsing Don Giovanni in Luzern, I was asked to conduct three concerts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, whose conductor had fallen ill. The program included, Brahms Symphony 1, a work which is very dear to me. What was the adversity? I would have only one rehearsal with one of the UK's and Europe's finest orchestras in arguably a very difficult program, also including Brahm's Tragic Overture and the Ravel Piano Concerto in G. The other added pressure: the concerts would be a return to the Michelangeli festival in Brescia, which I opened in the end of April with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic; a return to the Vilnius Philharmonie, where I last conducted 6 years ago, and a concert in the new Philharmonie in Lodz, Poland, the town in which my Grandmother apparently was born. After 7 years conducting in Poland, I would finally go to Lodz. So the tour would be a sort of homecoming. And a huge risk. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.
And what a result! The concerts were standing ovation triumphs. Most of all because the RPO is an orchestra of class, elegance and superior musicality. I felt totally free with them from the first downbeat. Knowing the stressful circumstances of preparing the concert in one rehearsal, we instantly developed an instinct of mutual trust. I am deeply grateful to the orchestra for their confidence and I do hope after this experience, it will not be the last.
This kind of trust between a conductor and musicians is a reminder of why we do what we do. The recent Philadelphia and Paris performances of Bernstein's Symphony 3 were historic experiences, thanks to the emotionally resonating text and narration of Sam Pisar. The debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra was a reminder of the professionalism and musicality of America's finest orchestra and I was soon homesick and hoping to conduct more in my own country. Obama and Clinton battled on the streets of the city, but in the Kimmel Center it was solidarity.
In Paris, The Orchestre de Paris was, of course, in wonderful form, but it was the energy and heart of the choir of the Orchestre de Paris, as well as Ana Maria Martinez' soprano lullaby that defined the moment for me. We were all under great pressure, with cameras and "Tout Paris," but everyone came together in a unique display of something greater than ourselves. That is what music can do.
Finally, the Dresdener Philharmonie was an experience as rewarding as the RPO, but in this case, I am very familiar with the musicians, whom I have long admired since our first concert together. To discover the sonic world of Jorg Widmann and also accompany him in the Mozart Clarinet conerto was a double delight to be part of the composer/performer tradition that thankfully continues to this day. And Schumann´s 2nd Symphony, was the result of our having gotten to know each other. It was deep, soulful, energetic, and brilliant. To receive the close collaboration and rapport with an orchestra long associated both musically and geographically with Schumann was, and is, a dream for any conductor, and I am looking forward to continuing my musical adventures with this special ensemble.
And so the Spring season has come to an end and summer begins. The Luzerner Sinfonie Orchester and I closed the season with a successful mini-tour to Milano with my friend, Fazil Say, and a Gala concert in the Luzerner Theater with former alumni and now world start tenor, Ramon Vargas. Its always a thrill to conduct such a singer whose power of voice and presence of being can bring an entire theater to shouts of joy and laughter. Bravo, Ramon, and thank you.
The blessings continue this summer, open airs in Dresden and Hamburg with my dear friend, Lang Lang, and the Swedish Radio Symphony, a Spanish night open air in the auditorium di Roma with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, and performances at the Schleswig-Holstein Festival with Martin Grubinger, "Don Giovanni" for the Lucerne Festival and Krenek´s "Kehraus um St. Stephan" for the Bregenz Festival. It will be a busy but musically rich summer, and I hope we can all enjoy some of this music under the starry skies together.
Peace and have a sunny Summer,
John
