In Christian Thielemann, the Wiener Philharmoniker New Year’s Concert is conducted by a conductor who already has experience with it. In 2019, the now 63-year-old German already spent a New Year’s morning at the Musikverein in Vienna. And the Philharmoniker has already worked extensively with the Wagner expert and chief conductor of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, who will remain in office until 2024.
“We have a deep artistic partnership with Christian Thielemann, especially in the symphonic field. He is one of the conductors of the Philharmoniker who is particularly close to the orchestra,” orchestra board member Daniel Froschauer said in a broadcast on Sunday, explaining the maestro’s choice for the coming year.
Controversial Kapellmeister
Born on April 1, 1959, Thielemann began his career at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, where he would later serve as general music director from 1997 to 2004. In 1985 he became first Kapellmeister of the Rheinoper and in 1988 he became Germany’s youngest general music director in Nuremberg, where he finally made his breakthrough with Wagner’s “Tristan”. But success doesn’t make you tame, as an artistic and political figure Thielemann repeatedly caused a stir: the dismissal from the Nuremberg theater in 1992 (and the conductor’s victory in the ensuing legal dispute) is one example, as is the excitement surrounding Thielemann’s defense of Hans Pfitzner’s music despite his involvement in the Nazi regime.
In 2004, Thielemann resigned from the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Because his demands for an increase in the orchestra’s budget were rejected, the Berlin native left home after seven years as musical director and became general music director of the Munich Philharmonic in the same year. Here too, the star showed rough edges, argued with the municipality in 2009 about the competences of his position and ultimately rejected a contract extension.
Engagement in Salzburg
In 2012 he became chief conductor of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden with a contract until 2024, after which Daniele Gatti succeeds him. From 2015, Thielemann was also Music Director of the Wagner Festival in his artistic hometown of Bayreuth – a title that also expires in 2020. Since 2013, he and his Staatskapelle have also been responsible for the Salzburg Easter Festival – a commitment that is history this year, as the Dresdeners parted ways with their quarrelsome Salzburg boss after Nikolaus Bachler took over there. But Christian Thielemann will remain loyal to the Wiener Musikverein and the Philharmonic in 2024.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
