The Proms: Haitink and Perahia with the Vienna Philharmonic by Huntey Dent

Haitink

Bernard Haitink conducts the Vienna Philharmonic at the Proms. Photo: BBC/Chris Christodoulou.


Prom 73 – September 6
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major
Bruckner – Symphony No. 9 in D minor
Murray Perahia - piano

Prom 75 – September 7
Haydn – Symphony No. 104 in D major, ‘London’
R. Strauss – An Alpine Symphony

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernard Haitink - conductor

Perennial spring. The Vienna Philharmonic never wants for love and respect, being showered with both almost beyond measure. Their PR department must consist of an answering machine that says, “Thanks for adoring us. Maybe we’ll call you back.” Since their principal season is spent in the opera house, the Philharmonic gives few orchestral concerts compared with the world’s other premiere ensembles. After earning raves and an audience hanging from the rafters at the Proms this summer, these august visitors were described by one London critic as “lifetime members of the high table.” It’s become de rigeur to carp about the absence of women in the orchestra (I counted three), but otherwise, a critic might as well push a macro key on his computer set to endless praise.

Read the full review on the Berkshire Review, an international journal for the arts!