Beethoven cast a long shadow. Many Romantic composers were intimidated; how could anyone else write symphonies after his? In our new episode of Upbeat, First Concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley explains how Johannes Brahms faced off this challenge with his First Symphony. Exclusive rehearsal footage with Kirill Petrenko also shows how the orchestra, together with its chief conductor, finds fresh perspectives on this traditional work.
Upbeat: Igor Stravinsky’s “Petrushka“
Sounds of the accordion and barrel organ, dances from Vienna and Paris – in his ballet Petrushka, Igor Stravinsky brings together a dazzling mix of musical worlds. This introduction features rehearsal excerpts, showing how the Berliner Philharmoniker and Kirill Petrenko work together to bring out the nuances of this multifaceted work. Cellist Stephan Koncz guides the programme, offering fascinating insights into the score and its history.
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“Upbeat”: Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 9
How does Kirill Petrenko approach a symphony as complex and emotional as Mahler’s Ninth? Watch and see!
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“Upbeat” with Kirill Petrenko
For Kirill Petrenko, Bedřich Smetana's “My Fatherland” is one of the “most outstanding works in music history”. In the video, he introduces the composition and explains what particularly fascinates him about it.
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