ConcertPulse
Lahav Shani and Alisa Weilerstein
Philharmonie Berlin, Main Auditorium (Berlin)
A mysterious woman and two rival brothers competing for her love: Maurice Maeterlinck’s ambiguous Pelléas et Mélisande inspired Arnold Schönberg to write a tone poem in which he traces the love triangle in sensuous and expressive sound. Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphonic Concerto for Violoncello makes a sharp contrast, with music that is at once relentless, motoric and lyrical. Alisa Weilerstein tackles the demanding solo part; the orchestra is not merely an accompanist, but a distinguished counterpart. Lahav Shani, chief conductor of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, is on the podium.