Strauss: An Alpine Symphony | Alan Gilbert | NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra

Chief Conductor Alan Gilbert and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra perform Richard Strauss' impressive "Alpensinfonie" (An Alpine Symphony) for their season's closing concert.
Recording from June 25, 2022, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
RICHARD STRAUSS
An Alpine Symphony op. 64
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Website: www.ndr.de/eo
Facebook: / ndrelbphilharmonieorch...
Instagram: / ndr.eo
#ndrelbphilharmonieorchestra #alangilbert #strauss

[@guardsdepot]

That restrained tempo following the storm is just utterly sublime which ellicits even more hidden beauty and emotion.....................WONDERFUL...............................

[@ddee534]

00:00 Nacht 03:24 Sonnenaufgang 04:57 Der Anstieg 07:27 Eintritt in den Wald 13:19 Wanderung neben dem Bache 14:05 Wasserfall 14:20 Erscheinung 15:10 Auf blumigen Wiesen 16:05 Auf der Alm 18:35 Durch Dickicht und Gestrüpp auf Irrwegen 20:17 Auf dem Gletscher 21:28 Gefahrvolle Augenblicke 23:00 Auf dem Gipfel 28:20 Vision 32:06 Nebel steigen auf 32:31 Die Sonne verdüstert sich allmählich 33:47 Elegie 36:31 Stille vor dem Sturm 39:38 Gewitter und Sturm, Abstieg 43:42 Sonnenuntergang 46:54 Ausklang 54:08 Nacht

[@zhusam8209]

legend

[@hornkix]

EPIC !

[@MM-kq4xk]

Danke für die Erklärung so kann ich auch etwas besser die Klänge ordnen und verstehen 😊

[@richardwilliams473]

Love the off-stage brass at 6:54

[@hornkix]

The first horn Lady. very beautiful sound....very very nice . Bravo !!!

[@tt-ew7rx]

I like these public funded (?) ensembles sharing their usually excellent and high quality concerts (like this one, wow!) online. I get to enjoy great music supported by someone else's tax and ticket money. Bravo and multiple thanks.

[@DAVID-et1lj]

EXCELENT BRASS SECTION !!! SPECIALLY HORNS

[@NDRKlassik]

Yay, thank you!! :)

[@coolwhinnyproductions2671]

in my opinion different moments out of tune, special the trumpet section.

[@ColinWren119]

Everytime I listen to this I remeber the feeling of wandering through the mountains in switzerland during Summer vacation. So peaceful and beautiful but still kind of dangerous

[@richardwilliams473]

Love the timpanist. He openly displays his confident playing abilities

[@NDRKlassik]

Yes!! That's our one and only Stephan Cürlis! 🤩

[@neilbrown8631]

I didn't know Stephen Hendry conducted? What a talented chap. Niceperformance - great work....

[@NDRKlassik]

Haha ;)

[@michelemelchioni533]

Great Richard Strauss!!! Beautiful Orchestra!!!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@kelsocampbell1301]

This is my 2nd listening....wow....that principal Oboe player is something else! I love this orchestra!

[@wintean]

Superb! Thank you for making this amazing concert available for everyone!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you for commenting, it is a great pleasure!

[@marcelouz1]

OH MY GOD, I can't explain the greatest and incomparable emotion that I feel every time I listen this masterpiece since I was a child" (many years ago), it is the summit of the Symphonic poems of the genius of Richard Strauss, I don't know why is called a symphony, its orchestration is unique, totally comparable with orchestrations of Mahler symphonies , it's a pure magic music and Strauss is the magician , if one want to learn post romanticism. orchestration, this is the right choice. What a great conductor is Alan Gilbert and what a great orchestra is the NDR, the slow "tempo " is extraordinary , BBRAVISIMO!

[@MrMichaelvier]

so right you are🙂

[@NDRKlassik]

So happy to hear that!!

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

It is called a symphony because it is one. Its conception is completely symphonic. A symphony does not equal 3 or 4 movements.

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

Indeed, Mahler's passing played a part in the intensity of expression in this final "tone poem". Friends who never quite understood each other, I think Strauss saw this last giant programmatic symphony of his as both a tribute to Mahler AND a stark illustration of where they differed. Like Zarathustra, the original impetus for this work was a Nietzsche volume, Der Antichrist. It's broadening to be more about nature in general seems to reflect Mahler's belief that a symphony could be an all-embracing world of it's own, as well as a trading out of a controversial subject for one perceived as more universal. I think this work, despite it's breakup into vividly illustrative moments rather than movements, is the closest Strauss came to a Mahlerian orchestral piece, especially the final quarter, roughly. At the same time, it's materialist and irreligious origins show Strauss' actual beliefs (close to mine personally as well), and his suspicion of the unexamined artistic "Sublime", which is Mahler's whole world basically: the intuition of pantheism expressed in tone. Strauss was mystified by Mahler's constant meaning-seeking, and his seemingly sincere christian conversion (despite the fact that there was social pressure on him in Vienna as well, but he seems to have meant it all the same). Strauss defiantly proclaims the human above the speculated divine, and praises nature in music rather than "Nature".

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

@@Quotenwagnerianer Yes, the thematic development has a unity combined with rich variation that Liszt for example could only dream of haha nothing against Liszt, he has other things that make him great. There is an arc here that earlier Strauss poems, great as they are, are not as focused on, since the storybook narratives are so prominent in determining the organization. I think Zarathustra comes closest, not coincidentally another Nietzsche inspiration along with the Alpine Symphony.

[@nevillefilar5245]

Wonderful interpretation and playing from the whole orchestra. Bravo Horn section and the magnificent first horn. That was sensational playing of this stratospheric part!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you!! Much appreciated! 🤩

[@edwardberden4752]

@@NDRKlassik I can only agree! I love this piece since my youth. Playing the first Horn is my ultimate dream and nightmare together! Wonderful played! The Horns section has it’s own “Alpen travel” including all the challenges with it!

[@MrMichaelvier]

Fantastische Aufführung dieses absolut genialen Meisterwerkes von Richard Strauss....Dank ans Orchester und dem Dirigenten Alan Gilbert.

[@NDRKlassik]

Wir danken - für diesen schönen Kommentar! :)

[@lapintelaurent7956]

Ich bin deiner Meinung... 2:13 ! 777 45:11 !

[@markovelikonja5399]

I've heard a lot of performances on KZbin recently, and they're generally all good, but what's interesting about this one is how slow it is; 56 minutes vs. around 45 for some of the fastest renditions. But the relatively slow, ruminative tempos toward the end work. Really enjoyed this.

[@NDRKlassik]

😁 Ruminative? Love it! Thank you for sharing!

[@dinutheodor4586]

Dear NDR, we would be so grateful to receive this absolutely epic performance on vinyl....Please? 🙏

[@NDRKlassik]

Hm. Sounds great, ... I don't want to get your hopes up, but who doesn't ask ...

[@michalkovac8382]

BRAVO!!!!! ,..and first horn,...wow!!!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you! ...🌟📯Claudia Strenkert is our principal horn since 1997. www.ndr.de/orchester_chor/elbphilharmonieorchester/orchester/Claudia-Strenkert,claudiastrenkert101.html

[@woomichen1378]

Exactly what I need for this hot humid day. A climb up to the summit. Grateful for this stream.

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you for the nice picture. 😊 🏔

[@kelsocampbell1301]

I swear to God, this is indeed the best horn player I've ever heard in my life...she is just the best all around.

[@jamesmatthews905]

I first heard this work in Baltimore Symphony way back when David Zinman was the Music Director. I fell in love with it then and am so pleased to see and hear it again on youtube in a great recording. It is a masterpiece that is rare to see and hear!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thanks for sharing, @jamesmatthews905! We are glad you like it! Stay tuned for more! #Strauss #NDRElbphilharmonieOrchestra #AlanGilbert

[@trbnbass]

Thank you a lot for sharing all this beautiful music and inspiring us!!!❤

[@NDRKlassik]

With pleasure! Thanks for commenting, we are happy you like it! 🤩

[@hornkix]

Begin to min 48:23 i think is maybe the best solo horn from Alpensinfonie from youtube. this Lady at her age is fantasticaly , epic . Bravooo

[@kelsocampbell1301]

Sorry...don't mean to keep posting, but this piece is very special to me. I heard Karajan rehearse this with the Vienna Phil in a closed rehearsal back in 85 or 86, I believe. It was a closed rehearsal, but I had a friend who was studying at the Hochschule in Wien who got me in...I'll never forget that day. I still have not heard anything comparable to the music I heard on that particular day.

[@kelsocampbell1301]

I love the rich sound of this orchestra.....fast becoming one of my favorite orchestras....and of course, that concert hall.....wow. I hope to go there one day!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you so much, @kelsocampbell1301! We hope so too! Anyway, just stay tuned for more! #NDRElbphilharmonieOrchester #AlanGilbert #Elbphilharmonie

[@kelsocampbell1301]

@@NDRKlassik thanks for your kind reply! Listening to this amazing performance once again!

[@kelsocampbell1301]

@@NDRKlassik Ich freue mich schon darauf!

[@lyncunningham8255]

Outstanding performance! Listening to it again makes me wonder whether Strauss believes the summit conquers the darkness or the darkness the summit. Remarkable work and a clarifying rendition by an excellent orchestra and conductor.

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you!! Much appreciated. :)

[@MD-md4th]

I think he means both. One cannot exist without the other. The great circle of the cosmos, and our existence therein.

[@GianPilz]

Great, stunning performance of a very difficult masterpiece. As an amateur brass player, I think I could escape just after the first bars of the score if I should play it. All musicians are fantastic, great trombone section,a so powerful and majestic sound. Thank you very much to share this video.

[@NDRKlassik]

It is our pleasure, thank you for joining us!

[@jimmyknopflericussi6488]

Very happy you highlight the trombone players. Fantastic performance.

[@user-eq7jc3om1v]

Гениально!!! Потрясающе Брависсимо!!!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you so much!!

[@kelsocampbell1301]

The intonation in the brass is right on,....especially that 1st horn player....ausgezeichnet!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thanks again! The 1st horn is played by Claudia Strenkert, she has been our solo horn player since August 18, 1997. www.ndr.de/orchester_chor/elbphilharmonieorchester/orchester/Claudia-Strenkert,claudiastrenkert101.html #NDRElbphilharmonieOrchestra #Horn #ClaudiaStrenkert #Strauss

[@kelsocampbell1301]

@@NDRKlassik Wow...I feel privileged to hear from you and that you took my comments seriously! thanks

[@tosikiyuumagawa9123]

Amazing👏👏👏

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@hugowilliams1988]

Super sound !

[@danielipopette]

Ma-gni-fique !!! C'est une de mes oeuvres préférées, elle est interprétée avec tellement de brio, je dis bravo bravo bravo !!!

[@NDRKlassik]

Et nous disons merci!! 😊

[@heikestucke8964]

A Musical masterpiece....walking from sunrise to sunset, storms calmed down by the variety of birdsongs, feeling the ascent to the top of a pristine Alpine meadow, a romantic poem come alive, superbly presented by maestro Gilbert and orchestra ❤️🎶

[@NDRKlassik]

Many thanks! So happy, you enjoyed it!!

[@relax2234]

where are the timpanies at Sonnenaufgang at 3:24? Like so often.

[@LovelySi]

27:55 The man in the brown shirt ist swiping tears from his eyes

[@ricardonascimento6020]

Realmente muito bom!! Muitos detalhes aparecem nessa performance. BRAVO!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@NDRKlassik]

Muito obrigado!!

[@BsktImp]

39:07 Wind machine (aeoliphone).

[@Dylonely42]

Great indeed.

[@notaire2]

Wunderschöne und detaillierte Aufführung dieser einzigartigen doch großartigen Sinfonie mit farbenreichen doch perfekt entsprechenden Tönen aller Instrumente. Der intelligente und geniale US-amerikanische Chefdirigent leitet das ausgezeichnete deutsche Orchester im gut analysierten Tempo und mit effektiver Dynamik. Faszinierend vom Anfang bis zum Ende!

[@NDRKlassik]

Das freut uns, lieber notaire! :)

[@otto15232]

Zu detailliert, es fehlt der Sound, der das Ganze zusammenhält. Ermüdend.

[@hmhparis1904]

😂 Wunderschön und detailliert, ….intelligent und genial, … einzigartig doch großartig, … gut analysiertes Tempo, … effektive Dynamik, …. lieber Notaire, was mixen Sie uns da wieder mal für ein schwammig bis ausuferndes Pladoyer ins Internet ?

[@ishikawaniv2537]

beautiful!

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you!!

[@kelsocampbell1301]

After hearing this, I really think this is better than my Karajan Berlin recording. The intonation here is definitely better in the brass on the high notes, and the strings are just as lush. What a phenomenal performance!

[@kelsocampbell1301]

I forgot to say that hearing Karajan rehearsing the Vienna Phil live back in 86 was much better than the DG recording that came out....the great maestro's rehearsals back in Wien on those few days were indeed much better....never heard anything like it ever again!

[@lapintelaurent7956]

"On this day, August 17, in 1982, the first compact disc was pressed in the Polydor factory in Hanover, Germany. The recording chosen for the disc was of Richard Strauss’s Eine Alpensinfonie (“An Alpine Symphony”) by the Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Herbert von Karajan." I found "the Karajan Gold" in Grenoble... 7 eur, in mint. cond. ! August 14, 2017. But I used to listen to this recording in 1997... 😁

[@kelsocampbell1301]

@@lapintelaurent7956 I'm trying to underline the idea that the DG recording, in my view, was done in a hurried fashion to make some quick money, without too much concern which of Karajan's several performances were the best...they assumed the studio version was sufficient...yes, it was quite good, but not the absolute best of Karajan's performances of this work...that's sad. If one could have been at any of these Vienna rehearsals and the several performances, they would have been much better for DG to record....too bad...maybe in the future.

[@richardchou5567]

Bravo

[@NDRKlassik]

Thank you!!

[@RenamPablo]

Beautiful Oboe's sole!!!

[@jamesoliver6625]

More tam-tam, MORE HORN !

[@forcapopular889]

Amazing beautiful 23:23

[@NDRKlassik]

:))))

[@ondrejsedo8659]

TOP guilty pleasure moment at 42:29 :-)

[@bonganidhlamini359]

I totally agree with the comments 🎉

[@kelsocampbell1301]

47:18 Nobody in any other orchestra can play this section better than this...unsurpassed....brialliant!

[@kelsocampbell1301]

...that was "brilliant"!

[@jimmyknopflericussi6488]

Alan Gilbert ist anscheinend der richtige Orchesterchef. Unter seiner Leitung wächst das Orchester über sich hinaus. Möge er noch ganz lange bleiben.

[@kelsocampbell1301]

Ich sehe das genauso! Der ist wirklich begabt! Mein Verstaendnis ist, ist das die beiden Eltern, Geige in der New Yorker Philharmoniker gespielt haben. Er war immer da bei den Orchesterproben....ein grossartiger Einfluss!

[@kelsocampbell1301]

Richard Strauss...how can anyone conceive these great works like Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, and Anton Bruckner? I can't always listen to this kind of music, as it is overwhelming. A little classical or baroque repose is necessary....just too intense sometimes!

[@carlosferreira9090]

Já vi versões melhores da sinfonia opina. Entretanto essa, de agora, é bem razoável! Talvez eu não concorde com certos andamentos e com certas leituras do maestro, em determinados trechos: todavia, a versão está bem legal!

[@forcapopular889]

Também já ouvi versões melhores, mas essa nem de longe é desprezível, pelo contrário, a segunda metade, após o cume e a visão, é uma das mais belas que já ouvi.

[@morrisfankhauser3327]

HOW DID HE CAN PLAY 56min

[@Discovery_and_Change]

2:27 gradual flute awakening | 7:27 dark transition | 16:05 curious morning | 17:55 winding down | 27:57 moment 31:00 epic | 31:47 feat | 36:31 drum roll | 39:08 futuristic | 42:29 Darth Vader | 51:25 special | 54:43 somber ending begins |

[@Cystalnuros]

Personal Note 22:10

[@Dylonely42]

33:46

[@lapintelaurent7956]

2:35 ! 777 53:26 !

[@lapintelaurent7956]

"On this day, August 17, in 1982, the first compact disc was pressed in the Polydor factory in Hanover, Germany. The recording chosen for the disc was of Richard Strauss’s Eine Alpensinfonie (“An Alpine Symphony”) by the Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Herbert von Karajan." I found "the Karajan Gold" in Grenoble... 7 eur, in mint. cond. ! August 14, 2017. 😁But I used to listen to this recording in 1997...

[@darrylone95]

Gilbert never falls below a certain level of performance and searches for more depths of emotion thru his choice of tempi, his degree of rubato, and which lines he does and does not encourage. I wish his ritards into section were less broad though. I think romantic music like this entices us to linger to long in those little ritards from section to section. I think they are appropriate...just not so much that the overall rhythmic line is sacrificed with what amounts to an actual "stop" in the line...ritard yes, fermata no.

[@pierregarcia156]

Encore un chef pouilleux.

[@NDRKlassik]

Ça veut dire ...?

[@pierregarcia156]

Les musiciens très élégants, et le chef en pyjama. Quel message veut-il passer.?

[@NDRKlassik]

Ah, ça. Oui, nous pouvons discuter ouvertement de la question de la mode - plutôt que du caractère de notre chef d'orchestre. ;)

[@pierregarcia156]

@@NDRKlassik les musiciens sont habillés en grande classe et les chefs d"orchestre en négligé. Quel message veulent faire passer ces derniers ? Qu'ils font partie du système ?

[@NDRKlassik]

Peut-être plutôt que la mode évolue aussi dans les concerts classiques et que les organisateurs de concerts classiques ne sont pas non plus insensibles à l'évolution des temps ? Mais la réponse à cette question, seul le maestro la connaît.

[@301268bmh]

lots of messy ensemble work. Too slow.

[@neaklaus52]

You can perhaps do it better??

[@thomgandet8369]

OMG Have you had your ears removed?

[@301268bmh]

@@thomgandet8369 Dear me! Yes, I must put them back on.

[@301268bmh]

@@neaklaus52 Is that relevant?

[@neaklaus52]

@@301268bmh I am just saying can you and an orchestra post a video to you tube showing how you can do a better performance than this one.

[@mosaiques23]

Not bad performance. Too slow tempi for my taste

[@warrenwilson4818]

Worthless, thoughtless remark without listing for us the other KZbin uploads of the same piece and the time listed. This was, of course, 56 min. What's your favorite fast performance? Oct. 25, 2022. St. Joseph, MO, USA

[@mosaiques23]

@@warrenwilson4818it's not worthless nor thoughtless. As I said, "for my taste". Concertgebouw with Bernard Haitink. 49:30 min.

[@adrianmendez9458]

Same, I prefer the one performed by nyo usa since it’s like 44 minutes and it’s in the same hall.

[@puccininesko]

Nein, liebes Orchester, das könnt Ihr so viel besser! Eine Alpensinfonie ohne Geheimnisse, brav reproduziert, ist zu wenig! Der schönste Sonnenaufgang im symphonischen Repertoire wurde völlig verschenkt, weil der Beckenspieler seine drei Schläge viel zu zurückhaltend, mutlos spielte. Sein Gesicht spricht Bände....., aber vielleicht liegt es auch am Dirigenten.....

[@stevepillemann9373]

Es könnte durchaus auch an der Aufnahmetechnik liegen. Denn genau das Problem mit lauten Beckenschlägen bemängele ich stets bei der Digital Concert Hall der Berliner Philharmoniker. Man sitzt im Saal direkt dahinter und es knallt einem sprichwörtlich die Ohren weg. In der Aufnahme ist das Becken dann viel zu leise. Ich denke die Tontechniker drehen die Regler absichtlich leiser, um einer Übersteuerung entgegenzuwirken.

[@puccininesko]

@@stevepillemann9373 Nein. Das ist bei diesem Orchester oft ein Schwachpunkt.

[@stevepillemann9373]

@@puccininesko Mag sein, egal, jedem seine Meinung.

[@bigcedock]

Fantastic performance - as a former HH resident (1960’s), what a feeling of nostalgia and pride to see this outstanding realization of Herr Strauß’s often maligned mountain travelogue music! Bravos to all concerned, and with hopes to experience the “Elphi” myself in person someday! Besten Dank.

[@NDRKlassik]

Yes, please! Come and visit your former hometown! And thank you so much for your nice comment!

[@bigcedock]

@@NDRKlassik Besten Dank! Hab gerade Rach Symphonic Dances wieder zugeschaut, und noch einmal war ich umgeworfen! Was für ein tolles Orchester, und der Dirigent auch nicht schlecht, besonders für ein Amerikaner! Einschnitte von Hamburg Videos haben die Musik nur ein wenig gestoert. Weiter so, und vielen Dank!!

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

Although no longer maligned by any music critic worth anything, for the most part! The fetishizers of the "Modern" are gone or extremely aged and irrelevant now.

[@hmhparis1904]

Ach hätte der gute Richard doch eine Oper in der Tradition von Salome, Elektra, Ariadne und FROSCH geschrieben statt sich für den bayrischen Tourismus klanglich zu betätigen.

[@helmutpalkowitz8012]

was soll das !!!

[@hmhparis1904]

@@helmutpalkowitz8012 … was das soll ? Es Ausdruck meiner bescheidenen Meinung die nämlich besagt dass die Alpensinfonie unsäglich trashig ist ;)

[@wh9462]

Na, trashige Filmmusik war gerade die (seine) Absicht und es ist auch gut so (für ihn und uns) mal sich mit spätromantik Dekadenz zu verwöhnen. Richard hätte eine andere Elektra schreiben können und schrieb stattdessen Daphne und Capriccio. Leichtsinn war in seiner Natur und es ist auch gut so. Immerhin ist die Alpensinfonie ein thematisch durchdachtes und gut verwirklicht Meisterwerk wenn man von dem Kitsch absieht.

[@lapintelaurent7956]

24:53... kannst du nicht Salome erkennen ?😁

[@hmhparis1904]

@@lapintelaurent7956 na ja, klingt eher nach Mondscheibe die aussieht wie eine Frau die tanzt … 🫢

[@ellih.1988]

👏👏👏