ConcertPulse
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Philharmonie Berlin, Main Auditorium (Berlin)
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Mozart wrote in a letter to his father that death is »the true, best friend of man« – which for Manfred Honeck is a »profound and significant statement«. The internationally sought-after conductor is known for his unmistakable and trend-setting style – and is also a charismatic and passionate artist who loves emotional depth: »If I had the choice between technical precision and emotional music, I would always choose the music.« The former violist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, who once began his conducting career as Claudio Abbado’s assistant, has been a regular guest of ours for more than 30 years. This led to an intimate friendship – and as a result, he is now officially performing his first concert as our new honorary conductor. We are delighted to be performing one of his favourite programmes with him on Eternity Sunday, which is very moving and will certainly give food for thought: The equally »mysterious and divine moments« in Mozart's last work – the otherworldly beautiful requiem from 1791, which the composer worked on until his early death at the age of just 35 and was unable to complete. Manfred Honeck breaks the ritualistic confessional music abruptly at precisely that point after eight bars in the »Lacrimosa« – and complements and combines it in an incredibly comforting way with other poignant sound creations, texts from powerful biblical passages, letters by Mozart, poems, Gregorian chorales and the urging ringing of bells.
Mozart wrote in a letter to his father that death is »the true, best friend of man« – which for Manfred Honeck is a »profound and significant statement«. The internationally sought-after conductor is known for his unmistakable and trend-setting style – and is also a charismatic and passionate artist who loves emotional depth: »If I had the choice between technical precision and emotional music, I would always choose the music.« The former violist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, who once began his conducting career as Claudio Abbado’s assistant, has been a regular guest of ours for more than 30 years. This led to an intimate friendship – and as a result, he is now officially performing his first concert as our new honorary conductor. We are delighted to be performing one of his favourite programmes with him on Eternity Sunday, which is very moving and will certainly give food for thought: The equally »mysterious and divine moments« in Mozart's last work – the otherworldly beautiful requiem from 1791, which the composer worked on until his early death at the age of just 35 and was unable to complete. Manfred Honeck breaks the ritualistic confessional music abruptly at precisely that point after eight bars in the »Lacrimosa« – and complements and combines it in an incredibly comforting way with other poignant sound creations, texts from powerful biblical passages, letters by Mozart, poems, Gregorian chorales and the urging ringing of bells.
Anton Bruckner was extremely critical of his compositions throughout his lifetime – with just a few exceptions: he described his Sixth Symphony as his »boldest« and the »Te Deum« as the »pride of his life«. It is absolutely fitting, then, that the world-renowned conductor Pablo Heras-Casado should be congratulating the composer on his 200th birthday with this programme performed by a large orchestra! The »Te Deum« is a mighty creation in praise of God, with an orchestra performing alongside an organ, choir and four vocal soloists. They include the sought-after soprano Christina Landshamer and the bass Franz-Josef Selig, who recently impressed Hamburg audiences in Wagner’s »Flying Dutchman« at the State Opera. Bruckner most likely wanted to impress even divine powers with the five-part work but, that aside, has certainly been inspiring audiences down here on earth ever since the premiere. We can only guess as to what exactly Bruckner found so bold about his Sixth Symphony, but there are many possible reasons: the succinct rhythm right at the start, the energy of which is perpetuated throughout the entire first movement. Or perhaps it alludes to the third movement, which swings back and forth between spooky sequences and blaring brass. Viewed as a whole, the symphonies are among Bruckner’s most »secular« works, making them the perfect counterpart to the Te Deum.