In the comparative pre-Christmas drought of live orchestral concerts, I’ve been following the televised concerts ob Sky Arts2 by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and it occurs to me that there has always been discussion about the comparison between that band and the equally famous and long-established Vienna Philharmonic, so I thought a little survey might be interesting.
“Horses for Courses” is a well-known maxim, so I’m going to suggest an imaginery dilemma for you to make your choice:
You are offered tickets to attend an identical programme on the same night, played by both orchestras in neutral locations.
Which one would you choose to attend if the programme was as follows? …
Beethoven Overture Egmont
Brahms Piano Concert Nº 2**
Bruckner Symphony Nº 4 “The Romantic” (Programme A)
Or, alternatively, if the programme was as follows:
Dvorak Overture “Amid Nature”
Beethoven Piano Concerto Nº 4**
Mahler Symphony Nº 4 (Programme B)
** Assuming a top quality soloist in either case
Let us also assume that the conductor would be the same – and not either orchestra’s chief conductor
So you may state two preferences; one for programme “A” and one for programme “B”
Just a bit of fun, really. So why not have a go?
VH
“Horses for Courses” is a well-known maxim, so I’m going to suggest an imaginery dilemma for you to make your choice:
You are offered tickets to attend an identical programme on the same night, played by both orchestras in neutral locations.
Which one would you choose to attend if the programme was as follows? …
Beethoven Overture Egmont
Brahms Piano Concert Nº 2**
Bruckner Symphony Nº 4 “The Romantic” (Programme A)
Or, alternatively, if the programme was as follows:
Dvorak Overture “Amid Nature”
Beethoven Piano Concerto Nº 4**
Mahler Symphony Nº 4 (Programme B)
** Assuming a top quality soloist in either case
Let us also assume that the conductor would be the same – and not either orchestra’s chief conductor
So you may state two preferences; one for programme “A” and one for programme “B”
Just a bit of fun, really. So why not have a go?
VH
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