The Wanderer in Pursuit of the GMJO

Yet again the Wanderer had incredible luck: not only was he able to follow the Berlin Philharmonic through Italy in May, but also the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester in August. He came back full of new impressions, but above all full of gratitude.
To be quite honest it all started in July in Munich. The orchestra gave public rehearsals and these were most interesting as it was fascinating to see how Abbado approached a new composition with these youngsters. How on the one hand he explained more than he did in Berlin, on the other hand he made no concession either to their age nor to their lack of experience.

The first two performances of 'Parsifal' in Edinburgh's Festival Theatre were very impressive, even if at the end of the day slight slips of concentration could be registered. Anything else would have been most astonishing. Nevertheless the entire press celebrated the orchestra. On the third evening, after a little rough beginning, the orchestra was incredibly beautiful and the third act was perfect. This was indeed proof that the orchestra was capable of a great evening - once they had grown used to one another and to the length of the opera. Peter Stein's production was identical to the one in Salzburg (this being a co-production), with a few minor exceptions. It fitted better into this house, the stage being smaller.

Before leaving Scotland the orchestra gave a concert at the Usher Hall. What a contrast! Instead of emotions and sensitivity the players here had to demonstrate their technical ability by feats of great speed and rhythmic exactitude. Two works that Abbado had never conducted before were on the programme: Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta and Debussy's La Mer. Between the two: Ravel's Piano Concerto with an old friend, Martha Argerich. The Wanderer was completely stunned: the same orchestra was capable of showing two absolutely different aspects - and both of them convincing. As an encore they played the finale of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite.

The next port of call was London, the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, the so-called Proms. It is always an immense joy to see Abbado at the Proms. He loves the audience which, day after day, queues to get into the large hall, shouts its enthusiasm but at the same time can be so incredibly quiet. As was to be expected the concert was a great success and two encores were granted: the Good Friday Music from 'Parsifal'and the Stravinsky. The Wanderer cannot remember Abbado ever giving less than two encores at the Proms (unless of course the programme itself forbids it, like for example after a Mahler 9th).

The orchestra then left the British shores and headed for Salzburg. Same programme, same enthusiasm- it was a great pleasure to behold. Not so many young people in the audience but the same admiration for the playing.

This was followed by the familiar visit to Lucerne, which will be the new Mecca of the Abbadiani in a year's time. The programme here consisted of a semi-scenic performance of 'Parsifal'. This evening was so uniquely memorable that it deserves a chapter all on its own, written by another Wanderer who had the luck to be able to join us. Let us just mention that several players, at the end of the tour, replied to the (admittedly stupid) question about their greatest experience: Lucerne!

The last stop was Bolzano. The Wanderer should have been very sad, as he was in Vienna, as this was once more a last concert. But, remarkably, he was not. The cheerfulness, the joy, the high spirits of the orchestra were infectious and it was a pleasure to see the happiness everybody had in being able to make music together. The collective enthusiasm of all even gave us an encore before the interval: the 3rd movement of the Ravel's concerto was repeated, but this time - like in jazz - each musician stood up as soon as he had a short solo passage, including Martha Argerich and all the strings at the end. Everybody burst out laughing and the orchestra joined in too. After the end of the concert the Stravinsky encore of course was given, followed by one last one by the orchestra all on its own - without conductor!

Thus a year heavy in commitments ends for Abbado. It is time for the Wanderer, but also for all Abbadiani (as well as for everybody who attended these performances) to say THANK YOU for the stupendous luck we have had in being able to hear these concerts. Having dedicated himself with vigour to his duties it is time now for Claudio Abbado to take some rest and to store up masses of energy. How could we ever forget such encounters and fail to express our gratitude for such immense musical experiences?