Concertgebouw Bruckner 5:, c. Haitink at the Barbican

[scottycelt]

Just back myself from the Barbican ( a near 400-mile round trip), and I agree it was wonderful stuff, and well worth the journey. Yes BH looks a lot more frail these days (hardly surprising) but Bruckner conductors seem to get better with age! I find the coda of this symphony almost too much to bear at times it is so majestic and magnificent, and it is arguably the composer's finest and grandest music ... I say 'arguably', of course!

For time and travel reasons, I haven't been to the Barbican for a number of years, and it was good to see that there is a spanking new pub on the corner to replace the King's Head ... I had previously understood it had closed for good!

[Alison]

& what about the Princess?

There was an insert in the programme about the royal presence. Must confess
I wouldn't recognise the princess. Had there been an interval there would have
been more chance to look around.

[scottycelt]

There was an insert in the programme about the royal presence. Must confess
I wouldn't recognise the princess. Had there been an interval there would have
been more chance to look around.

Well if the Princess was in row A of the Circle, I was in row H and I was not aware of any royal 'presence', though I did see the insert in the programme.

Royalist though I am, I couldn't care less who's in the hall when I pay good money for a concert, and the Dutch royals do tend to be a damn sight more common than our lot?

[Petrushka]

Just back from the Barbican myself! I can only agree with much that has been said already. A superb performance fully deserving the standing ovation at the end. Haitink looks more frail these days, but as Alison said, he stood for the entire performance and seemed rejuvenated by the music. After the podium falls of Kurt Masur and Sir Colin Davis this month I felt slightly nervous. I don't know whether Princess Maxima enjoys Bruckner but she certainly heard a good wodge of it this afternoon. By the way, it did look like my original seat that she was occupying!

I was talking to a German gent sitting next to me and he told me he had been in the Dresden Semperoper for the 1995 Haitink Mahler 2 recently issued on Profil (which he didn't know).

[Petrushka]

Rather strange, Alison and Scottycelt. From my [revised] seat in the circle, A19, I would certainly have seen both of you without being aware of it!

[scottycelt]

Rather strange, Alison and Scottycelt. From my [revised] seat in the circle, A19, I would certainly have seen both of you without being aware of it!

Almost certainly, Petrushka, I tend to walk rather aimlessly around the foyer for about 30 minutes before a concert to stretch my legs, so very few members of the Circle audience would be missed in passing ...

[Petrushka]

Almost certainly, Petrushka, I tend to walk rather aimlessly around the foyer for about 30 minutes before a concert to stretch my legs, so very few members of the Circle audience would be missed in passing ...

After an overpriced meal in the dismal Waterside cafe I did the same!

[Alison]

I always go in the Stalls at the Barbican.

Perhaps I should going up a level as I always feel the players towards the rear
of the orchestra don't cut through as they would in most other halls.

[Petrushka]

I always go in the Stalls at the Barbican.

Perhaps I should going up a level as I always feel the players towards the rear
of the orchestra don't cut through as they would in most other halls.

That won't be a problem in the Circle. I know the seats are the most expensive there but I always book Row A so that my view is uninterrupted. I used to go in the Stalls (I heard Bernstein in Mahler 9 from there in 1985) but now strongly prefer the Circle.

[Alison]

Thanks, I'm tempted to go for the Schubert 9 coming up soon.
That's a work Ive never heard BH conduct live.

[Petrushka]

Thanks, I'm tempted to go for the Schubert 9 coming up soon.
That's a work Ive never heard BH conduct live.

With the Proms coming up I can't afford another London trip right now. I recall a very fine Schubert 9 from BH at the 1977 Proms (via R3) and another at the Barbican some years later (also R3) both with the BBCSO. Let's hope LSO Live microphones are there.

[BBMmk2]

Oh! that would be so tempting!

[scottycelt]

Ken Ward, editor of the Bruckner Journal, seems to have been greatly impressed as well ...

I tend to concur with his comments about those conductors who employ extra brass for this work ... it is completely unnecessary, especially with this composer!

http://onestoparts.com/review-barbican-concertgebouw-haitink-bruckner-5

[PJPJ]

With the Proms coming up I can't afford another London trip right now. I recall a very fine Schubert 9 from BH at the 1977 Proms (via R3) and another at the Barbican some years later (also R3) both with the BBCSO. Let's hope LSO Live microphones are there.

Much as I'd like that, it's unlikely LSO Live would record the Concertgebouw. However, it's possible RCO Live recorded the other performance in Amsterdam.

Today's Times review made me wish I'd been able to get to the Barbican.

[Nick Armstrong]

Much as I'd like that, it's unlikely LSO Live would record the Concertgebouw. However, it's possible RCO Live recorded the other performance in Amsterdam.

Today's Times review made me wish I'd been able to get to the Barbican.

Me too

Are you able to post the review?