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With his optimistic Second Symphony, the 31-year-old Ludwig van Beethoven rebelled against his growing deafness. The combative, uncompromising nature of his later works occasionally shines through, although the symphony remains rooted in the perfectly balanced music of his teacher Joseph Haydn. The other two works on Kirill Petrenko’s programme reference older music: Stravinsky rediscovered baroque and classical elements in Pulcinella, while Tchaikovsky’s elegant Rococo Variations (with Gautier Capuçon as the soloist) serve as a romantic homage to Mozart.
Artists
Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Gautier Capuçon cello
Programme
Igor Stravinsky
Pulcinella, Suite (revised version from 1949)
Piotr Tchaikovsky
Variations on a Rococo Theme for cello and orchestra in A major, op. 33
Gautier Capuçon cello
Interval
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 2 in D major, op. 36
Additional information
Duration ca. 2 hours (incl. 20 minutes interval)
Dates and tickets
Main Auditorium
49 to 156 €
Introduction
19:15
with Susanne Westenfelder
Series K: Concerts with the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium
49 to 156 €
Introduction
19:15
with Susanne Westenfelder
Series C: Concerts with the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium
49 to 156 €
Introduction
18:15
with Susanne Westenfelder
Series N: Concerts with the Berliner Philharmoniker
Background
“Upbeat”: Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella”
Programme notes and exclusive rehearsal footage
“Upbeat”: Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella”
Italian Baroque, reimagined with a touch of cheek: in his ballet Pulcinella, Igor Stravinsky casts old music in a new light. This episode of Upbeat features exclusive rehearsal excerpts with chief conductor Kirill Petrenko, while cellist Stephan Koncz explains how growling basses and bleating, sheep-like cello effects create a witty sound world. Koncz’s insights illuminate the score, from its earthy comedy to surprisingly touching moments – including a gentle lullaby.
“Buzzing and ringing day and night”
Beethoven and hearing loss
Beethoven’s Second Symphony sounds strikingly optimistic, despite being composed during a time of existential crisis. As he wrote it, the composer confronted the onset of hearing loss, the greatest tragedy of his life.
Biography
Kirill Petrenko
Kirill Petrenko has been chief conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philharmoniker since the 2019/20 season. Born in Omsk in Siberia, he received his training first in his home town and later in Austria. He established his conducting career in opera with positions at the Staatstheater Meiningen and the Komische Oper Berlin. From 2013 to 2020, Kirill Petrenko was general music director of Bayerische Staatsoper. He has also made guest appearances at the world’s leading opera houses, including Wiener Staatsoper, Covent Garden in London, the Opéra national in Paris, the Metropolitan Opera in New York and at the Bayreuth Festival.
Moreover, he has conducted the major international symphony orchestras – in Vienna, Munich, Dresden, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Rome, Chicago, Cleveland and Israel. Since his debut in 2006, a variety of programmatic themes have emerged in his work together with the Berliner Philharmoniker. These include work on the orchestra’s core Classical-Romantic repertoire, most notably with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony when he took up his post. Unjustly forgotten composers such as Josef Suk and Bernd Alois Zimmermann are another of Kirill Petrenko’s interests. In opera performances with the Berliner Philharmoniker, Richard Strauss’ Elektra and Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly have recently attracted attention.
Gautier Capuçon
“Routine is a word I don’t know,” says Gautier Capuçon, who seeks freshness even in familiar repertoire. He brings a distinctive tone and direct expressive style to his interpretations. Alongside appearances in major concert halls, he performs regularly in smaller venues and community settings, with a focus on reaching new audiences.
In addition to the traditional and contemporary repertoire, he seeks links to other genres and makes music, for example, with Max Richter, Ludovico Einaudi, and Abel Selaocoe. Gautier Capuçon is also regularly present in the media, including as a host on Radio Classique. He is committed to fostering young musical talent through his “Fondation Gautier Capuçon,” founded in 2022. In 2019 Gautier Capuçon gave his cello – a precious instrument by Matteo Goffriller from 1701 – the name L’Ambassadeur (“The Ambassador”). Today, Gautier Capuçon appears with the world’s most important orchestras. He made his debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker in 2012. Just a few days ago, he joined the orchestra for the Europakonzert at Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, performing Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations.
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