It’s been about four years since I’ve seen the Berliner Philharmoniker. Finally, this day has come.
I bought this ticket in May, already half a year ago. Every time the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Japan tour is hosted by Fuji Television Network, we receive an invitation to apply for tickets in advance (by lottery) before they go on sale to the general public. I don’t know what the ratio is, but fortunately I got a ticket for 40,000 yen for SS seats.
Whether or not this rather « expensive » price is fair, I have been looking forward to it very much for the past six months.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to Suntory Hall.
The music of this day is « Notation » of Boulez and Bruckner’s Symphony No.7.
First, Boulez, Notation.
It is very Boulezian. It was originally a piano piece he wrote when he was young and re-wrote for orchestra, and he is still continuing to orchestrate it.
To be honest, I didn’t really understand it (laughs), but I did enjoy the unique three-dimensional sound of the area, the various sound effects and tones.
Actually, I secretly like Boulez’s piano music, don’t you? Even if I don’t understand it well, I like its world view. It’s very good to listen to it in a quiet room at night, when you don’t feel anything. I’ll buy Notation if I can find a recording of it.
After a 20-minute intermission, the main event, Bruckner No. 7, finally arrived.
This is the second time in my life that I have heard Bruckner live. Mahler and Bruckner are the greatest symphonists of the big orchestra, but I prefer Bruckner’s music, sound and atmosphere. I prefer Bruckner’s music, sound, atmosphere, etc. I don’t know why there are so many Mahler lovers….
It’s a big song, over an hour long, but I listened to it all the way through, and it flew by, and I want to listen to it again right here again! I honestly wanted to listen to it again right here! My hips were a little sore, though (laughs).
Of course the Berliner Philharmoniker’s power is strong, but I also felt the « politeness » that I always feel when listening to Rattle in this Bruckner.
Rattle’s work is really detailed and careful. Even though it is such a large piece, you can feel just by looking at it from the audience that he is able to convey his intentions and thoughts throughout the piece to the entire orchestra, not only with his baton but also with his entire body. He is truly a wonderful conductor.
His tactfulness at the end was also superb. The lingering length was also perfectly controlled. It was as if he was conducting the audience as well. The whole audience was watching Rattle and watching the orchestra with bated breath until Rattle lowered his baton.
So there were zero flying « Bravo’s » and I think the atmosphere on the audience side was really good!
By the way, the pamphlet said that the Haas version was used and that there were no cymbals at the climax of the second movement, but there were cymbals at the performance yesterday. But there were cymbals in yesterday’s performance. I wonder if it was the Novak version after all. But yesterday’s performance had cymbals.
After enjoying the wonderful performance, we had a light meal at the familiar neighborhood restaurant « Orenchi ».
一生忘れることのできない一日を過ごすことが出来ました。
