The stage in Munich’s Herkulessaal is full. The string stands extend to the side edges. Diagonally behind it, celesta, grand piano and organ, drums and percussion squeeze together. But it somehow fits the occasion to show off everything that the size of the podium and the orchestra line-up allow. It is the first benefit concert of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) under its new chief conductor Sir Simon Rattle. And there is no shortage of celebrations this evening: 75 years of the SZ Advent calendar for good works. 75 years of Bavarian Radio. 75 years of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. 15 years of collaboration between the BRSO and the SZ Advent Calendar.
Sandra Geisler, managing director of the SZ donation relief organization, raves about the long-standing collaboration with the BRSO in an interview with moderator Maximilian Maier.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
When moderator Maximilian Maier lists all of this at the beginning, all the orchestral pomp behind him seems only appropriate. Yes, today is a celebration! Sandra Geisler, Managing Director of the SZ Advent Calendar, also confirms: Advent is over, but we had a good year in 2023 and were able to support many great projects and individual people in need. She is grateful for the collaboration with the orchestra; they are a valuable partner.
In 2009, the BRSO’s benefit concert in favor of the SZ Advent calendar took place for the first time, based on an initiative by the then SZ local boss Christian Krügel and Mariss Jansons, then chief conductor of the BRSO. It is also a great tragedy that the two initiators of this big concert can no longer be present at the anniversary. Christian Krügel died in 2018, Mariss Jansons a year later.
Simon Rattle is one of the most mentally open people in the classical music business
So there’s a bit of sadness when Simon Rattle comes on stage. This man is one of the most mentally open people in the high-end classical music business. World-famous for highly precise interpretations and a still boyish, mischievous view of the world; and on the music. That’s how this evening is designed. Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Edward Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations frame a world premiere by Johannes Wiedenhofer, who is not even 20 years old. Wiedenhofer’s score came into Rattle’s hands via “Jugend Komponiert”. And he’s not at all afraid to casually put the future of classical music on the program for such a big occasion. This pays off immediately: the density of young people in the audience is surprisingly high.
Then the concert begins. Rattle and the BRSO put Beethoven’s Violin Concerto under the greatest dynamic tension. The orchestral voices are cut with cutting precision, it’s a joy. Also because the great soloist Veronika Eberle on the violin takes the music absolutely seriously and does not play at all in order to showcase her own, undoubtedly very great, virtuosity. Rather, she has retained – even in this iconic work – something researching and not very established, which fits the approach and purpose of the entire evening very well: looking beyond one’s own horizon, helping, noticing fellow human beings who need help and standing up for society !
Soloist Veronika Eberle delights the audience with her joy of playing and virtuosity.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The fact that the Munich composer Jörg Widmann composed new cadenzas for Beethoven for this occasion fits in perfectly. Above all, because these are cadenzas that not only serve as a playing surface for the soloist, but also optionally involve the double bass, a second violin and the timpani in order to alienate Beethoven’s motifs and gently, respectfully draw them into a multicolored present.
This evening will also be a musical event. And to the sign. The piece by Johannes Wiedenhofer, which premiered after the break, is Gen Z in classical music: based on a dystopian poem by Rose Auslander, he draws on the orchestral fullness (all the many instruments are on stage because of his piece). Between John Williams’ “Harry Potter” soundtrack and the compelling nervousness with which one hopes that the world will change after all, the young artist has created a piece of new symphonic music – complete with a call to action to do good for the world and people!
Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations then embrace with overwhelming orchestral melting. But here too: the multicoloredness, the diversity, the eclecticism with which the musical overwhelm is celebrated also has something very contemporary. Applause like after a Beatles concert and Dvořák’s Slavic Dance, op. 72/7 as a euphoric encore. “Dvořák makes everything better,” says Rattle wisely and enigmatically. Then it goes symphonic and with the audience clapping “out to the Städele”. The last ceremony for this evening: Viola player Andreas Marschik, 34 years in the orchestra, has said goodbye to retirement with this special concert.