The memorable concerts in Beijing

On 2nd and 3rd November, I attended two concerts in Beijing on consecutive nights. These were the last two concerts in this year's Staatskapelle Dresden Asia tour led by Christian Thielemann. They went to Japan first, then Taiwan and finally Shanghai and Beijing. They didn't come to Hong Kong and so I had to travel to another city for the concerts. The first choice is Taiwan as it is easier to book tickets online, but the only concert there doesn't have Bruckner. So I have to turn to the other 2 cities. They have two concerts each in Shanghai and Beijing, with the same programmes, both featuring Bruckner's Seventh on the first night. Shanghai is a little closer to Hong Kong but the dates of the concerts clashes with some of our local important engagements, and so the only choice is Beijing. Tickets can be booked online in both Shanghai and Beijing, but they cater only for local residents as non-domestic credit cards, e.g. Visa, MasterCard, etc., are not accepted. Here I have to thank my friends in Hong Kong who have close connections in Shanghai and Beijing for booking the tickets for me. Without their generous help I wouldn't have had the chance to attend these memorable concerts.

Thielemann left Munich and took the helm of the Staatskapelle Dresden in 2012, much to the disappointment of the Munich audience. His live recording of Bruckner 8 with this orchestra in September 2009 (Profil SACD PH10031) is one of my favourites. Seasoned classical music lovers are well aware of his influence in the German classical music scene these days, although his interpretations can be subject to controversy sometimes.

Wangfujing, Beijing

Snow everywhere in the morning of 4th November

The concerts took place in the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) (国家大剧院), an ellipsoid building of titanium and glass surrounded by an artificial lake. Tiananmen Square is its neighbour to the east. The following picture was taken just before the concert.

NCPA entrance

The programmes are:

2 Nov
Wagner: Prelude and Liebestod, from Tristan und Isolde
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major

3 Nov
Wagner: Overture to Tannhauser
               Prelude and Liebestod, from Tristan und Isolde
               Overture to Rienzi
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor

The programmes are typical of Thielemann's strong Austro-German predilection in his repertoire. The two Preludes and Liebestods from Tristan und Isolde were quite different on the two nights: plainly narrative on the first and rather intensely emotional on the second; but the pianissimo passages were simply heart stopping on both. The overture to Rienzi was marvellous, a veritable aural feast. The Bruckner was one of the best Bruckner concerts I've ever attended. It's almost a transcendental experience. Rubato was nicely integrated into the music without leaving an impression of cutting in. Thielemann took a longer than notated pause between each thematic groups in the exposition of the Finale, and this gave extra weight to this Finale which has been criticised as lacking massiveness. The Brahms however was less satisfying as Thielemann's tempo variations were apparently overdone.

Programme leaflet (free) and book (RMB 10)

Thielemann kissing the lady who presented him with a bouquet of flowers

A confident maestro