Ionarts at Large: Müller-Schott & Kreizberg in Shostakovich and Dvořák

Yakov Kreizberg
Picture © Marco Borggreve

The Munich Philharmonic’s series of concerts between the 19^th and 22^nd of February opened—very apropos—with Dvořák’s Carnival Overture op.92. Under the Russian-American Yakov Kreizberg’s direction the orchestra offered a taut little firecracker of an overture, unusually cohesive for a Sunday matinee (otherwise known as “Sloppy Sundays”).

The next jolt of energy came in the form of Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto op.107 with Daniel Müller-Schott as the soloist. From his first bright, sprightly note one could hear the difference—in attitude rather than dexterity—from the very un-soloistic tone that Sebastian Klinger had delivered two days before in the Dvořák concerto across town. The immediate opening is one aspect that makes the First Cello Concerto such refreshing Shostakovich: you get to the hyperactive parts without having to wade through all the labored build up. Those in the restless subscription audience who could not befriend the work—not even the askew beauty of the marvelous slow movement—had time to focus on the gorgeous-looking conducting of Kreizberg; so picture perfect the dashing, ever engaged young maestro that it borders caricature. You might say that Kreizberg is the Hugh Jackman of conducting.

The cadenza—a movement of its own and awfully extensive—allowed to marvel at Müller-Schott’s abilities more than the music itself, but the brief, hectic finale with the modified DSCH motif that is traded between cello and the solitary horn, brings back the lusty mayhem that even a dark and troubled Shostakovich can provide. The slow movement of Dvořák’s Sixth Symphony was perhaps a little phlegmatic, but the other three were strident, even flamboyant. With nothing not to like for the ears, and Kreizberg for the eyes, this was highly enjoyable, albeit not particularly memorable, stuff.

Shostakovich, Cello Concertos, Müller-Schott / Y.Kreizberg / BRSO - Orfeo Available on Amazon.com Available on Amazon.co.uk Available on Amazon.de Available on Amazon.fr	Shostakovich, Cello Concerto No.1 (& VC.No.1, Rostropovich / Mitropuolos / NYP - CBS/Sony Available on Amazon.com Available on Amazon.co.uk Available on Amazon.de Available on Amazon.fr
Dvořák, Symphony No.6 (& 8), Y.Kreizberg / Netherlands PO - Pentatone Available on Amazon.com Available on Amazon.co.uk Available on Amazon.de Available on Amazon.fr	Dvořák, Symphony No.6 (& 8), Myung-Whun Chung / WPh - Deutsche Grammophon Available on Amazon.com Available on Amazon.co.uk Available on Amazon.de Available on Amazon.fr