I had just returned from Italy the day before, and on this day it was still humid and hot, so I went to Suntory Hall. Climate change is a serious issue worldwide, and southern Italy, with its Mediterranean climate, hardly ever rains in the summer, making it a wonderful resort destination, but on a scorching hot day in the evening there was something like a sudden downpour (this was the first time I’d ever experienced this in over 20 years of going there). I felt that this climate change was quite serious.
Today is the concert of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alsop, and it was my first time to hear both, and I was interested in seeing Katen, or Kadono’s piano. Watching him on TV, I feel he is a very intelligent and creative pianist. I came to Suntory Hall hoping to hear him perform Mozart, but the tickets were sold out, and over 80% of the audience were women. The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1969, is said to be good at contemporary music, perhaps because it is a young orchestra, and this was certainly the case. On the other hand, I was not able to appreciate the Viennese classical music of Mozart and Beethoven.
The first piece, “Strum” by Montgomery (born 1981), means “strumming a chord with a string,” and is a contemporary piece for strings only. It starts with pizzicato by the 2nd Violin and Cello, then the 1st Violin and Cello play a melancholic melody, and when it becomes Tutti for five strings, it becomes an easy-to-listen-to piece. After that, the main melody and pizzicato parts are mixed together, which is impressive, and responds well to Alsop’s quick baton. Montgomery also performed this piece when the MET Orchestra came to Japan in June this year, and it was a nice start to the piece.
Next was Mozart’s concerto, and the orchestra’s performance of the introduction had a very modern sound. I had listened to the Vienna Philharmonic’s performance eight times in ten days until last month, so this sound was quite strange. Even though it’s the same Vienna, the traditions and instruments of the orchestra are completely different. The orchestra’s performance of the first movement was unclear, but Kadono’s piano was clear and solid. He has an image of being a perfectionist, but there were some mistakes in this movement. In the interview in the performance program (p.15), he said that the cadenza was original to Kadono, and that he would “introduce new challenges each time and listen to the orchestra’s reaction.” The cadenza was a wonderful performance that was typical of Kadono, with a high degree of freedom and sometimes a jazz flavor. The third movement was a short cadenza with a fast tempo. There were some standing ovations after the performance, but it was a quiet concert with no “bravos” including the second half. The encore was an excellent original piece by Kadono, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, where he finally demonstrated his virtuosity.
Perhaps because my ears have become more accustomed to Salzburg, the performance of the “Heroic” in the second half was unmemorable and did not pierce my heart. It was a fairly light performance, lacking the heaviness and richness that is characteristic of Beethoven. In particular, the funeral march in the second movement was the first time I had heard such a light performance. From the third movement onwards, there was a sense of speed, but there was no creativity or ingenuity to be found, and it had been a long time since I had heard such a shallow performance, so I cannot comment on it. This performance of the Heroic was one star.
The orchestra played two encores, with a brief explanation by Alsop in English, but it was hard to hear because of the audience clapping. He said something like, “The first piece was written by a young woman for this tour, and the second is a polka by Johann Strauss.” The encore piece by a female composer named Eisendl was interestingly constructed, and J. Strauss’s Champagne Polka was also a hilarious piece. This orchestra seems to be well suited to modern music.
(Rating) ★★ Katen’s encore was good
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*We have arbitrarily rated the reviews on a 5-point scale.
★★★★★: A superb performance that will be remembered for a lifetime
★★★★: Very satisfied, nominated for the annual top 10
★★★: Satisfied, worth going to the show
★★: Unsatisfactory, I wish I hadn’t gone
★: A performance that makes you want to go home during the pointless intermission
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(★Five-star ratings are limited to 10 times per year)
Conductor: Marin Alsop
Piano: Hayato Kadono
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra Montgomery: Strum (string orchestra)
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major, K. 537 “Coronation”
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 “Heroic” {Encore} Hayato Kadono: Seven Levels of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations (Piano Encore)
Eisendor: “Dark Green” from “Atsinheira”
J. Strauss II: Champagne Polka
Vienna Symphony vs Vienna Philharmonic
Table of Contents
The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra: A Contemporary Sound in Classical Music
The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSO Vienna), founded in 1969, is known for its expertise in contemporary music. This reputation was recently reaffirmed through a series of concerts featuring the orchestra under the direction of Marin Alsop, an acclaimed conductor. In this article, we will delve into the world of RSO Vienna, exploring their unique sound and approach to classical music.
Contemporary Inspirations
The RSO Vienna’s concert programs often feature a mix of contemporary and classical pieces. This approach allows the orchestra to showcase its versatility and ability to interpret a wide range of styles. For example, a recent concert at the Philharmonie de Paris featured a program that included contemporary pieces, such as Hannah Montgomery’s ”Strum” for strings only [[1]]. This piece, which starts with pizzicato by the 2nd Violin and Cello, showcases the orchestra’s ability to bring modern compositions to life.
Marin Alsop: A Pioneering Conductor
Marin Alsop, the chief conductor of the RSO Vienna, has been instrumental in shaping the orchestra’s contemporary sound. Her contract with the orchestra has recently been extended by two years, until summer 2026 [[3]]. Alsop’s direction brings a sense of energy and passion to the orchestra’s performances, as evident in her interpretation of Montgomery’s ”Strum” at the Philharmonie de Paris concert.
Collaborations with Renowned Pianists
The RSO Vienna has collaborated with numerous renowned pianists, including Kadono, who recently performed with the orchestra at Suntory Hall. Kadono’s virtuosity was on full display during the concert, particularly in his original cadenza, which featured a high degree of freedom and sometimes a jazz flavor. The orchestra’s performance of Mozart’s concerto, although not entirely convincing, was elevated by Kadono’s clear and solid piano playing.
A Unique Sound
The RSO Vienna’s sound is distinct from that of other Viennese orchestras, such as the Vienna Philharmonic. This is due in part to the orchestra’s relatively young age and its focus on contemporary music. The orchestra’s performance of Mozart’s concerto, for instance, had a very modern sound, which was quite different from the traditional Viennese sound associated with the Vienna Philharmonic.
Championing Contemporary Composers
The RSO Vienna is committed to promoting the works of contemporary composers. The orchestra has released several albums featuring modern compositions, including “Rhapsodies” with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra [[2]]. This album showcases the orchestra’s ability to bring complex, virtuosic compositions to life.
the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marin Alsop, is a powerhouse of contemporary classical music. With its unique sound and approach to programming, the orchestra is well-positioned to continue championing the works of contemporary composers and collaborating with renowned pianists. As the RSO Vienna looks to the future, classical music enthusiasts can expect many more exciting concerts and recordings from this innovative orchestra.
Vienna Symphony vs Vienna Philharmonic
The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra: A Modern Twist on Classical Music
The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1969, is the orchestra of the Austrian national broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) [[3]]. Unlike most other Austrian orchestras, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra is known for its exceptional, bold programming that combines nineteenth-century repertoire with contemporary pieces and rarely performed works [[2]]. This unique approach has earned the orchestra a reputation for being well-suited to modern music.
A Concert to Remember
A recent concert at Suntory Hall featured the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alsop, with Katen, or Kadono, on piano. The program included “Strum” by Montgomery, a contemporary piece for strings only, followed by Mozart’s concerto. The orchestra’s performance of the introduction had a modern sound, which was quite different from the Vienna Philharmonic’s performance that the author had listened to eight times in ten days prior to the concert.
Kadono’s piano performance was clear and solid, with a high degree of freedom and sometimes a jazz flavor. The cadenza was a wonderful performance that showcased Kadono’s virtuosity. The encore was an excellent original piece by Kadono, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, which demonstrated his creativity and skill.
A Different Approach to Classical Music
The performance of the “Heroic” in the second half was unmemorable and lacked the heaviness and richness characteristic of Beethoven. In particular, the funeral march in the second movement was the first time the author had heard such a light performance. The orchestra’s approach to classical music was quite different from what the author was used to, and it seemed to lack the creativity and ingenuity that one would expect from a performance of Beethoven’s “Heroic”.
Encores and Modern Music
The orchestra played two encores, with a brief explanation by Alsop in English. The first piece was written by a young woman for this tour, and the second was a polka by Johann Strauss. The encore piece by Eisendl was interestingly constructed, and J. Strauss’s Champagne Polka was also a hilarious piece. This orchestra seems to be well-suited to modern music, and its bold programming and approach to classical music make it a unique and exciting ensemble.
the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra that is not afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of classical music. Its bold programming and modern approach make it a standout in the world of classical music, and its performances are not to be missed.
References:
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