Bernard Haitink and COE on Thursday 5th June at 7.30

[Hornspieler]

Bernard Haitink and COE - Schumann, Berg, Beethoven
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
First broadcast:Thursday 05 June 2014

Bernard Haitink conducts the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in works by Schumann, Berg and Beethoven live from London's Barbican Hall, with violinist Isabelle Faust

Presented by Martin Handley

Schumann: Overture to Manfred
Berg: Violin Concerto

8.10pm
Interval

8.30pm
Beethoven: Symphony no.6 'Pastoral'

Isabelle Faust (violin)
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Bernard Haitink (conductor)

The vibrant young players of the Chamber Orchestra are joined by veteran conductor Bernard Haitink in a programme of contrasts.

In between the heart-on-sleeve romanticism of Schumann's tribute to Byron and the radiance of Beethoven's 'Pastoral' symphony comes the austere beauty of Berg's violin concerto. Dedicated to the memory of a family friend who died shockingly young, it is both a moving eulogy and a taughtly-argued musical masterpiece.

German violinist Isabelle Faust is a regular visitor to concert venues in the UK as soloist and chamber musician and is particularly associated with Berg's concerto, winning a Gramophone Award for her interpretation in 2011.
Bernard Haitink conducts the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in works by Schumann, Berg and Beethoven live from London's Barbican Hall, with violinist Isabelle...  Show more

[EnemyoftheStoat]

The vibrant young players of the Chamber Orchestra...

As I understand it, the COE stopped being a youth orchestra quite a while ago, no?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

As I understand it, the COE stopped being a youth orchestra quite a while ago, no?

This is what I'd thought - made up of players formerly in the European Community Youth orchestra (does that still exist?). But how can a "Chamber Orchestra" perform the Berg Violin Concerto? It'd need a very big chamber.

Logistics aside - this is a very attractive programme.

[Hornspieler]

As I understand it, the COE stopped being a youth orchestra quite a while ago, no?

Yes indeed. But the core of the orchestra is still those who were in the youth orchestra and only the name was changed.

As for FHGs message #3, one might also say the same of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra playing Brahms symphonies.

A little augmentation is all that is required - and Haitinck knows what he is doing.

I have never got to grips with the Berg concerto, but I am still trying and I listen to it at every opportunity; seeking to find what it is that cause others to praise it so highly. The Age of Enlightenment (another Chamber Orchestra) has so far eluded me - but I shall continue to seek my own enlightenment regarding Alban Berg's compositions..

HS

[teamsaint]

Yes indeed. But the core of the orchestra is still those who were in the youth orchestra and only the name was changed.

As for FHGs message #3, one might also say the same of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra playing Brahms symphonies.

A little augmentation is all that is required - and Haitinck knows what he is doing.

I have never got to grips with the Berg concerto, but I am still trying and I listen to it at every opportunity; seeking to find what it is that cause others to praise it so highly. The Age of Enlightenment (another Chamber Orchestra) has so far eluded me - but I shall continue to seek my own enlightenment regarding Alban Berg's compositions..

HS

Youth hostels pretty much went the same way. ...Edit, but the other way round now I think about it.

Any old how, I am on Hornys team with regard to the Berg. Just hasnt clicked with me. Perhaps my current musical heroine can sort it out, rough tone or no.

What is a shame is that the Berg gets so many airings, (not to say that it doesnt deserve a place on the concert platform), when there are so many other deserving C20 , including 2VS works that could do with a more regular run out.

[BBMmk2]

One of my favourite combos of artists. Unfortunate about the programme!!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

As for FHGs message #3, one might also say the same of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra playing Brahms symphonies.

One might; but then some smart a ... lec might likewise point out that the Brahms Symphonies require only seven players more than those required for the Haydn "London" Symphonies, or Mozart's Paris Symphony. (An extra pair of Horns, a trio of Trombones and a Contrabassoonist, with a Tuba in the Second and a Triangle player in the Fourth.) Berg requires twelve extra players (2 extra Clarinets, 2 extra horns, 3 trombones and Contrabass Tuba, Harp, and three percussionists), plus (presumably) "boosting" in the String section. This, I would suggest is more than "a little augmentation". But, as you say, "Haitink knows what he is doing".

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

One of my favourite combos of artists. Unfortunate about the programme!!

In what way, Bbm?

[pastoralguy]

One of my favourite combos of artists. Unfortunate about the programme!!

Don't you like music, bbm?

[Petrushka]

Such a pity I can't attend this concert. I have the small matter of my 60th birthday meal with family to deal with. It would have been the perfect treat, a great programme with my favourite conductor, but there we are, sacrifices have to be made!

Bravo to Radio 3 for broadcasting it. I will most certainly record it and listen to it once the jollifications have ceased.

[HighlandDougie]

I have the small matter of my 60th birthday meal with family to deal with.

The very happiest of birthdays, Petrushka! Long may they continue

[Alison]

Yes I'm thrilled this is on the wireless as I am unable to attend this or the other programme on Saturday which includes Mozart 40.

Good news for you Petrushka!

[Hornspieler]

One might; but then some smart a ... lec might likewise point out that the Brahms Symphonies require only seven players more than those required for the Haydn "London" Symphonies, or Mozart's Paris Symphony. (An extra pair of Horns, a trio of Trombones and a Contrabassoonist, with a Tuba in the Second and a Triangle player in the Fourth.) Berg requires twelve extra players (2 extra Clarinets, 2 extra horns, 3 trombones and Contrabass Tuba, Harp, and three percussionists), plus (presumably) "boosting" in the String section. This, I would suggest is more than "a little augmentation". But, as you say, "Haitink knows what he is doing".

It is many years since I took part in a performance of the Berg Violin Concerto (Iona Brown, if my memory serves me correctly) but I don't remember any augmentation of the orchestra - certainly not extra strings.

Is there any difference in the instrumental requirements from those needed for the Schumann overture? (apart from two extra clarinets - presumably E flat and Bass) and contrafagotte (Grossvarter in German - a nice description!)

HS

[amateur51]

The very happiest of birthdays, Petrushka! Long may they continue

+1 - many Happies, Pet

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Is there any difference in the instrumental requirements from those needed for the Schumann overture? (apart from two extra clarinets - presumably E flat and Bass) and contrafagotte (Grossvarter in German - a nice description!)

Tuba, Harp, and 3 percussionists - and, presumably, boosted strings? The Clarinets required play Bb, A, Bass and Alto Saxophone.

But - Berg requires one trombone and one trombone fewer than Schumann: it's actually the smallest Orchestra I think Berg ever uses - still requiring about 80 orchestral players, I'd've thought (25 puffers, bangers and a plucker, plus about 50 - 60 scrapers?)