A Classic Trip to Germany and Austria—Concert by Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Principal Conductor: Ingo Metzmacher
Violin Solo: Christian Tetzlaff
Concertmaster: Lu Wei
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts-Concert Hall
Dates: March 14, 2009 19:30
Price: VIP 880 680 480 280 100 RMB
Programme Introduction
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
For more than 60 years, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO) has distinguished itself as one of Germany’s leading orchestras. The number of renowned Principal Conductors, the scope and variety of its work, and its particular emphasis on modern and contemporary music, makes the ensemble unique.
The orchestra was founded in 1946 as the RIAS-Symphonie-Orchester by the broadcasting station in the American sector of Berlin. Ferenc Fricsay became the orchestra’s first Principal Conductor. He set the standard and defined the orchestra’s repertoire. The orchestra’s sound was characterized by transparency, structural clarity and plasticity. It quickly became well known for its commitment to 20th century music, and its ability to attract first-rate conductors.
In 1964, the young Lorin Maazel took on the artistic responsibility for the orchestra. He was followed by Riccardo Chailly in 1982 and by Vladimir Ashkenazy in 1989, who remained Principal Conductor until 1999. The start of Ashkenazy’s tenure coincided with a significant moment in German history – the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of East and West. In 1993, to avoid confusion in Berlin’s newly reunited cultural landscape, the orchestra decided to relinquish its familiar name in favour of its present one – Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.
Kent Nagano has been the deciding influential figure as the orchestra moves into the new century. Nagano was named Principal Conductor and Artistic Director at the beginning of the 2000-2001 season. The unique partnership that quickly developed between orchestra and conductor has been met with enthusiasm by audiences and critics alike. Nagano remained in his position until 2006 and now serves as the orchestra’s Conductor Laureate.
In September 2007 Ingo Metzmacher became Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the DSO. He is the first German conductor to hold this position. In his first year as Music Director of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ingo Metzmacher explored the specific relation between the German mind and music in the chosen theme “On the German Soul”.
Tours of the DSO have included concerts in Lebanon, Russia, Asia, the USA and South America, as well as regular engagements at the Salzburg Festival and the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. Its relationship with the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle has resulted in a series of guest performances in Eastern Europe (Sofia, Bucharest, Warsaw, Belgrade and Sibiu). Further, the DSO performed in the major European concerts halls, such as the Auditorium National, Palais des Beaux Arts and Megaron. In 2008-2009 season, the orchestra will travel to Asia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain and France.
Ingo Metzmacher
In September 2007 Ingo Metzmacher became Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO). Succeeding Ferenc Fricsay, Lorin Maazel, Riccardo Chailly, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Kent Nagano he is the first German conductor in this position in the history of the orchestra founded 60 years ago.
Innovative programs and a passionate commitment to the music of the 20th century have always been Metzmacher’s trademark and firmly established him as a leading international conductor. Highlights of the past months were his appearances with the Vienna Philharmonic in their prestigious subscription concerts where he performed Messiaen’s Illuminations of the Beyond…and at the Mozartwoche in Salzburg, performances with the San Francisco Symphony, the Bamberg Philharmonic Orchestra and his debut at the Zurich Opera House with Humperdinck’s Königskinder.
Productions of Tristan und Isolde and Saint François d’Assise in May and June marked his farewell from the De Nederlandse Opera in Amsterdam where he was Chief Conductor over three seasons. Highlights of his tenure include performances of Henze’s The Bassarids directed by Peter Stein, Die tote Stadt and Die Gezeichneten with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as well as his cycle of the three Da Ponte operas by Mozart in productions of Jossi Wieler and Sergio Morabito.
Christian Tetzlaff
“One of the most brilliant and inquisitive artists of the new generation.”
New York Times April 2002 (Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto)
Equally at home in the classical/romantic repertoire as in contemporary music, Christian Tetzlaff sets standards with his interpretations of the violin concertos of Beethoven, Brahms and Tchaikovsky as well as Berg, Ligeti and Shostakovich. He is particularly well known for his incomparable performances of the Bach Solo Sonatas and Partitas. 2005 Musical America named him “Instrumentalist of the Year”.
Christian Tetzlaff is a regular soloist at the major series of the most important US orchestras as well as the major European orchestras like the Berlin Philharmonic, the Orchestre de Paris and the Tonhalle Orchester Zurich. He also appears regularly at the major festivals such as BBC Proms, Edinburgh, Salzburg and Lucerne Festival and all major US summer festivals. He plays recitals with Leif Ove Andsnes, Alexander Lonquich and Lars Vogt and performs frequently with his string quartet.
Christian Tetzlaff received several awards for his recordings: the Diapason d’Or twice, the Edison prize, the Midem Classical Award as well as the ECHO Klassik prize and several nominations for the Grammy. His recent recording of all of Bach’s solo Sonatas and Partitas with Haenssler deserves special mention.
Lu Wei
Lu Wei is a chief violinist in world-class symphony orchestras, a position rarely held by Chinese. After graduated from Central Conservatory of Music, he was unearthed by Anne-Sophie Mutter, titled as “Queen of Violin-playing”, and continued his study in Europe and America. In the Salzburg Festival, he was commended as one of the “most talented young conductors”. In 2004, he served as the chief of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, becoming the youngest chief in world-class symphony orchestras.
Programs
Wagner Prelude to “Lohengrin”
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Violin Solo: Christian Tetzlaff
- – Intermission- -
Beethoven Symphony No. 3
(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)