Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert 2020

[Prommer]

There is a film circulating on the internet made at the recording of the Solti Ring cycle in Vienna. This highlights several key players of the VPO at that time. One was not only a Nazi in WW2 but actually a paid member of the Gestapo and was responsible for some of his colleagues ending up in concentration camps. I own a recording of this player as soloist in a Haydn concerto.

Which player was this?

[Petrushka]

Which player was this?

Might I suggest that anyone interested in the National Socialist era and how it affected the VPO should have a good read of this taken from the orchestra's own website?

https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/orchestra/history/national-socialism

There is plenty of fascinating material there and the present day orchestra members are to be commended for documenting this dark period in their history. Reading all the material may at least acquaint everyone with the facts and prevent any misinformation from taking hold on here.

Then can we not bring up this subject every year?

[Once Was 4]

Required reading. Can I please emphasize that I did not claim that von Freiburg left the VPO during WW2. He went to the USA AFTER the war because of what one of his pupils (also a distinguished horn player but in Germany) called "hard differences with colleagues". His playing sadly did not suit the Boston orchestra - also its existing 1st horn (actually a Dutchman) who had played in the Berliner Staatskapelle but had gone to the USA in the early 30s because of what he was experiencing daily on the streets of Berlin.

Part of history which must not be forgotten but yes, you're right, let's enjoy that wonderful playing and discuss this, if needed, on another thread.

[gradus]

There is a film circulating on the internet made at the recording of the Solti Ring cycle in Vienna. This highlights several key players of the VPO at that time. One was not only a Nazi in WW2 but actually a paid member of the Gestapo and was responsible for some of his colleagues ending up in concentration camps. I own a recording of this player as soloist in a Haydn concerto. So, do we block the film and do I bin the record?

Incidentally, the 1st horn of that era, Gottfried von Freiburg, was a quarter Jewish and was lucky to survive. After the war he went to Boston for a while to get away from the ill feeling in the orchestra but his playing did not go down well in the USA and he eventually returned to the VPO, sadly dying at a relatively young age. Another war casualty?

I had thought that because he played all the solos it was Roland Berger?

[gradus]

Prince Eugen's palace gave Petroc a nasty moment, hastily corrected after the dance.

[Richard Barrett]

Then can we not bring up this subject every year?

My mind brings up the subject every time I think about this orchestra. I don't think making it some kind of taboo is a healthy thing to do.

[Prommer]

There is a film circulating on the internet made at the recording of the Solti Ring cycle in Vienna.

Sorry to ask questions, but do you know the name of the film? Might this be the Golden Ring documentary? If so, it was included in the CD set which I have!

[Once Was 4]

No: Berger played the Siegfried Call but, of course, there was more than one 1st horn in the VPO and Von Freiburg was certainly leading the horns in Das Rheingold (although Culshaw does refer to Berger leading the horns for this in 'Ring Resounding'). There is a photograph of the Rheingold horn team with Von Freiburg on 1st and a young Roland Berger on Wagner Tuba. Von Freiburg is not on the film that I mentioned and, in fact, he passed away in 1962 (the year of the Siegfried recording). On the film Berger shares the first part with either Joseph Velaba or Wolfgang Tombock snr. I do know a Vienna Philharmonic hornologist if anybody wants me to explore further (probably not and I will take off my anorak now!)

[Once Was 4]

Sorry to ask questions, but do you know the name of the film? Might this be the Golden Ring documentary? If so, it was included in the CD set which I have!

Yes it's a clip from that film; my original post was very sloppy indeed; by 'that era' I meant WW2.

[pastoralguy]

Might I suggest that anyone interested in the National Socialist era and how it affected the VPO should have a good read of this taken from the orchestra's own website?

https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/orchestra/history/national-socialism

There is plenty of fascinating material there and the present day orchestra members are to be commended for documenting this dark period in their history. Reading all the material may at least acquaint everyone with the facts and prevent any misinformation from taking hold on here.

Then can we not bring up this subject every year?

Thanks for the link. Some horrific stories there.

[Alison]

Muti next year...

Boring.

[pastoralguy]

Was Nelsons a vintage concert?

[Ein Heldenleben]

Was Nelsons a vintage concert?

I enjoyed his relaxed and easy conducting style though there were one or two slight losses of ensemble. I thought the performance of Dynamiten at the end was particularly fine . I have never seen a harpist pay such close attention to a conductor’s beat - not sure whether that is a good or bad thing though . Am I right in thinking that conducting the VPO in Strauss - leaving aside the global exposure - is not the world’s most demanding gig?

[Alison]

Was Nelsons a vintage concert?

Not sure, a bit tired and distracted this morning and looking forward to viewing again when fresh.

Was the tv sound a bit shallow this year?

Andris seems to have toned down the visual aspect of his conducting, no bad thing. Slightly concerning actually to see him holding onto the rail in an effortful manner with his repertoire of gestures surprisingly limited.

[pastoralguy]

Was Nelsons a vintage concert?

The reason I ask is that I always remember watching the Karajan concert with my late grandad who knew nothing about music. He was very impressed with the maestro's total authority over the Orchestra. He was quite taken by Ms. Battle as well, though!

It was one of those very rare occasions when one knew you were witnessing something special and unique.