Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert 2024

[Prommer]

Forgive my ignorance but why does the concertmaster (a woman today I believe) not sit at the leader’s desk?

[pastoralguy]

To each their own - it sounds very routine to my ears . Now where did I put that Carlos Kleiber CD …

I heard a story where apparently the late Sir Georg Solti used to compare the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House unfavourably with the Vienna Philharmonic. They were rehearsing Rosenkavalier when Solti made a remark about how the last time he conducted this work was with the Vienna Philharmonic to which a trombonist remarked rather loudly that the last time THEY had played this work was with Carlos Kleiber…’

[kernelbogey]

The director is obviously quite enamoured with the lady piccolo player!

To be fair Johann II is fond of the piccolo in his orchestration...!

[pastoralguy]

Forgive my ignorance but why does the concertmaster (a woman today I believe) not sit at the leader’s desk?

The Vienna Philharmonic have several concertmasters so it’s probably just not her turn to lead the orchestra today. She may well have led for the concerts that are given earlier in the week. Iirc, there are two performances, one for the great unwashed and another for the military.

[kernelbogey]

Oh dear. Now the bloody ballet dancers…!

I wonder no one in charge of the ballet productions realises how badly all the dancers' excessive gurning comes over on television! On a stage that's less intrusive.

[gurnemanz]

Bruckner coming up.

[pastoralguy]

Can’t help think the Bruckner sounds a bit like G&S!

[Prommer]

Praise indeed!

[Prommer]

Love hate relationship with the leader… at times, it’s like the rest of the orchestra need not turn up!

[Andrew353w]

Can’t help think the Bruckner sounds a bit like G&S!

I see what you mean!

[Prommer]

Thank God for a decent piece - delirious.

[Prommer]

A shame that CT needs his scores… not all do! Kleiber eg.

[LMcD]

I see what you mean!

I'm afraid I lack the necessary Patience to listen to Bruckner.

[kernelbogey]

Thielemann says that in a world riven by war and intolerance, music offers us a place of enjoyment and peace for our personal reflection.

[Prommer]

Oooh Thielemann goes for the trademark Kleiber “I’m so relaxed I think I will rest my left hand on the podium rail for a bit” look.