- FANS' NEWS - 4 -

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Lichtengel - poem

David at the Alte Oper, Frankfurt. November 15th 2008

David Garrett appearing in Eindhoven, Holland, October 26th 2008 

David Garrett and his Band at the Town Hall, Birmingham. October 11th 2008. 

David Garrett at The Proms in the Park, September 13th 2008 

Berlin, IFA, David Garrett's showcase @ Sony, 30th August 2008

David Garrett au Verbier Festival: pas seulement "virtuoso", 20 juillet 2008

David-Report aus dem Festival-Verbier, 20 juli 2008

Verbier Festival , Hallo lieber David, 20 Juli 2008

*****

20th July 2008

Switzerland

Verbier, Festival de Verbier, église, 14:30

pianist: Julien Quentin

BEETHOVEN: Sonate pour piano et violon N° 10 en Sol majeur op. 96

BEETHOVEN: Romance pour violon et orchestre N° 2 en Fa majeur op. 50 (arrangement pour violon et piano Joseph Joachim)

E.GRIEG:Sonate pour violon et piano N° 3 en ut mineur op. 45

YSAYE: Rêve d’Enfant, poème élégiaque pour violon et piano op. 14

P. DE SARASATE: Zigeunerweisen pour violon et piano op. 20

David Garrett au Verbier Festival: pas seulement "virtuoso"...

“Il était bien le petit violoniste dimanche!” me dit Claude à la terrasse d’un bar. Issue d’une famille de musiciens, mélomane avertie, elle fréquente le Festival de Verbier depuis ses débuts, c’est à dire 15 ans. Elle connaît tout, elle assiste à tout. “Vous savez, on les a vu jouer quand ils étaient tout petits tous ces jeunes musiciens. Maintenant ils ont grandi et ils reviennent jouer à Verbier. Le petit Garrett... il est devenu beau garçon... je me demandais ce qu’il faisait au début dans son Beethoven, c’était un peu raide, puis tout d’un coup il s’est détendu et c’était vraiment beau! Sa virtuosité, il nous en a mis plein la vue... Et le petit pianiste, Julien Quentin, il joue bien aussi n’est-ce pas? Ils ont eu du succès. Et aussi auprès des enfants, mon petit voisin n’a pas bougé de tout le concert!...”

C’est ça, le Festival de Verbier c’est que dans ce petit village de montagne, tout le monde se parle, tout le monde parle du dernier concert. On croise les musiciens. c’est vraiment convivial.

C’est ainsi qu’on a le plaisir de rencontrer David mangeant à une terrasse avec sa mère et de parler avec lui de la prestation que Boris Berezovky vient de faire ce soir-là et des cinq bis qu’il a donnés, de le voir se promener en jeans et tee-shirt sur la place centrale, ou se diriger vers l'église pour sa répétition avec Julien, son violon dans un nouveau sac à dos. En toute simplicité.

L’église où se tenait le concert est une petite salle à l’accoustique excellente. On se sent proche des musiciens.

David était accompagné de Julien Quentin, un jeune pianiste très apprécié à Verbier pour ses talents divers allant du classique à la musique électronique. Julien n’est pas un pianiste qui s’efface mais au contraire une vraie personnalité, partageant les sentiments, l’émotion et l’exhaltation de l’oeuvre jouée en parfaite harmonie avec David. David s’approchait de lui pour le laisser s’exprimer. Un échange de regards complices. Un sourire rassurant. Ils ont formé un très beau duo qu’on aimerait revoir encore par la suite.

J’ai aimé la Sonate pour piano et violon n° 10 de Beethoven. Le premier mouvement était joyeux et dynamique. Le deuxième mouvement était bouleversant de tendresse, d’amour et de mélancolie. David semblait caresser son violon. Il fermait les yeux. Il ouvrait la bouche. Il relevait les sourcils. Il aspirait. Il expirait. Il soupirait. Il souriait. Sa musique enveloppait, envahissait, pénétrait au plus profond de chacun. Le public fasciné, suspendu à ses soupirs, retenait son souffle, comme envoûté. C’était d’une grande sensualité. Presque troublant. Dans le troisième mouvement , les deux musiciens nous donnèrent avec beaucoup d’humour une sorte de jeu d’alternance de rythmes joyeux et de douces mélodies. Le petit garçon devant moi s’est mis soudain à sauter en rythme sur sa chaise, en regardant sa mère d’un air ravi. Le jeune public était complètement séduit!

C’était intéressant d’entendre la Sonate pour violon et piano n°3 de Grieg, peu souvent entendue dans les salles de concert. David et Julien jouèrent cette oeuvre magnifique avec une grande maîtrise, alternant passions rythmées et profonds lyrismes avec beaucoup de talent. Du grand Art.

De même, Rêve d’enfant d’Eugène Ysaye, pièce peu connue fut jouée avec grande fraicheur. Un vrai délice.

Ensuite, les deux musiciens nous donnèrent un Zigeunerweisen de Sarasate tout à fait ludique et plein d’humour où David, le sourire enjôleur, exhiba son talent et son goût de la communication avec une aisance indéniable.

Les deux bis, Ronde des lutins de Bazzini et le Vol du Bourdon de Rimski-Korsakov, confirmèrent la toute grande virtuosité de David Garrett. Le public, comblé, réagit chaleureusement par des applaudissement passionnés, des cris exhaltés, des bravos enthousiastes et une standing ovation particulièrement fébrile.

David remercia en jouant la Sarabande, extrait de la Partita n°2 de Bach, morceau qu’il maîtrise aussi depuis tant d’années et qui bouleverse tellement à chaque fois par son intensité.

Après leur prestation, les deux musiciens recevèrent leur public dans leur loge avec beaucoup de patience et de gentillesse. Un autographe, une photo, un sourire et un petit mot gentil pour chacun. Tout le monde était ravi. Partout, les yeux brillaient.

Il y a de grands moments musicaux qui resteront longtemps grâvés dans les mémoires.

Eva

***

David-Report aus dem Festival-Verbier

…es war kurz vor Mittag. Ein kühler Drink mit Freunden (hallo Eva und Sylvia und...) auf einer lauschigen Terrasse. Verbier hat auch ohne Schnee und Cheminee-Romantik seinen urschweizerischen Reiz. Momentan bevölkern etliche Festivalbesucher das Städtchen, darunter läuft man vielen Musiker mit ihren Instrumenten über den Weg... kein Wunder.

Da plötzlich... wurde es ganz stille, als ginge ein zerzauster Engel vorbei. Doch es war bei weitem kein Engel, es war eine sehr, sehr schmale, ja nachlässig gekleidete Silhouette… «unser» David, der zur Probe hinauf zur Kirche schlenderte…

Ich verabschiedete mich und… auf, auf… hinauf geeilt… aus dem Saal klangen bereits Flügel und Saiten. Klammheimlich und stille öffnete ich die schwere Holztür einen Spalt, so dass ich knapp mit einem paar vorwitzigen Lichtstrahlen durchkam, huschte 'rein, setzte mich ganz klein hinten in die hölzerne Kirchenbank… und gewahrte auf der Bühne schlaksig und bestimmt «unseren» David und ein konzentrierter und überaus sympathischer Julien Quentin beim Proben… kaum eine handvoll Personen kamen in diesen einzigartigen Genuss… es war reine, erfüllende Freude…

…um halb drei dann das offiziell angesagte Konzert. Ich wartete wieder wie alle anderen draussen... wie Vieh vor der Tränke. Menschen aus aller Herren Länder standen an. Sogar seine charmante Mutter und Schwester, was mich nicht wenig verwunderte…! Ich unterhielt mich mit einer reizenden, kultivierten Japanerin aus Genf, die auch sehr neugierig auf David Garrett war… dann stürmten wir (wie Teenager, ha, ha…) zur ersten Reihe: ich wollte seine pochende Halsschlagader und Schweisstropfen von Nahem sehen…! Seine fliegenden Finger, sein virtuoses Spiel, seine ambivalente Schönheit (besitzt er etwa ein Gemälde wie Dorian Grey?)… und er kam und begann und die Zeit stand merklich stillgefroren und verfloss viel zu schnell… dazwischen aber ein traumhafter … «Rêve d’enfant op.14» von Eugène Ysaÿe… einige Tränen flossen, verstohlen wurden blütenweisse Taschentücher gezückt… ich sah die beiden zaubern: der zarte Julien voller sensitiver Wucht und immer wieder aufmerksam auf David’s Spiel achtend und David grandios wie immer (Bogenhaare rissen, er zupfte sie ab…einmal, zweimal…)… wurde dem rücksichtslosen Teufelsgeiger Paganini gerecht… manchmal mit grausamem Lächeln bei den Zigeunerweisen, wenn er sich vergass, selbstverloren, hochmütig seiner Kunst und seiner Macht über das Publikum bewusst, das am Ende grölte, pfiff, «bravo» rief, klatschte und unendliche Zugaben verlangte…

In der Künstlerloge dann das gewohnte Gedränge der Freunde und Fans, das Blitzen der Fotoapparate, die den müden und in unkontrollierten Momenten sogar angewiderten, kalten Ausdruck auf David’s Gesicht gnadenlos einzufangen versuchten… (sah und spürte denn niemand, dass er nun in Ruhe gelassen werden will? Doch nein, man wollte unbedingt ein gemeinsames Bild mit ihm, von ihm… Ich fühlte mich verdammt, verdammt unwohl…)… das Quietschen des Filzstifts (…MEINES FILZSTIFTS, den er sich zu eigen machte! Ich habe ihn ihm nur zu gerne geschenkt…!!!) über Fotos und CD’s (ja, ja, auch ich habe eine kleine Widmung auf meine CD erhalten; für ein gemeinsames Foto wagte ich ihn nicht mehr zu fragen…)… und daneben bescheiden, menschlich intensiver, Julien Quentin mit seinen strahlenden, warmen Riesenaugen, der den Fans zum Abschied die Hand reichte… merkt euch diesen Pianisten! Ich werde mir die Konzertdaten von… Julien heraussuchen…!

Ich war bereits auf dem Nachhauseweg nach dem rebenüberbordenden, goldenstrahlenden Lavaux (das soeben ins Weltkulturerbe aufgenommen wurde, das nur so nebenbei...;-)), schaute in den Abendhimmel eines übersinnlich schönen, farbigen Sonnenunterganges über dem glitzernden Genfersee und David's Stücke aus meinem iPodShuffle verflossen mit den azurblauen-rosa-violetten Wolkenfetzen... und sann über dieses ambivalente Wunderkind (...ja, doch, noch IST er ein Kind!) nach, das gleichzeitig so verletzlich scheu und grausam unbeteiligt scheinen kann... bald wird er wieder in meiner Nähe, in Zürich und Como spielen… ob ich wohl hingehe…?

Love,

Mario

*****

Hallo lieber David,

In Verbier am 20. Juli 2008 sahen wir, (meine kleine Schwester und meine Familie) Dich zum 1. Mal (d. h. eigentlich zum 2. Mal) live und wirklich, lieber David, vielen, vielen Dank für deine wunderbare Musik!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wir danken Dir von Herzen für Dein geniales und liebenswertes Spielen und Deinen unermesslichen Charme, den Du erstrahlen lässt, wenn Du für Dein Publikum musizierst. Wir gratulieren Dir zu Deinem Erfolg.

PS. Vielen Dank für Dein Autogramm vom 19. Juli nach dem Abendessen im Keller! Sorry, meine unwichtige, unpassende Bemerkung über Dein T-Shirt, ich war wirklich in einem Ausnahmezustand, weil ich so glücklich war Dich live sehen zu dürfen. Vielen Dank für Deine Musik!!!

Eva J. und Familie

30th August 2008

Germany

Berlin,IFA, showcase @ Sony

the concert was a mini showcase at the IFA in berlin. because david made a commercial for the new sony walkman that will come out at the end of the year!! they showed the commercial and the making of... it's a really smart commercial and david looks great in it!! the slogan is "the best sound". i have a flyer, there are 2 really nice pics from david in it! maybe i can scan it and send these to you?! i try it!

the performance was great! he was like he always is... he talked to the audience, he laughs, explained what he would play next and he played on his strad! 

i was there with my sister and we were really late and we knew that the showcase should start at 14:00! but at this time we were just buying our tickets!! so we went very fast to the hall 4.2 - the sony hall - and then, when we arrived there, you could already hear the violin in the whole hall!! it was so exciting! we were just following the sound and finally, there he was, on stage, performing nothing else matters! it was almost unreal! 

there were two big screens also on every side of this part of the hall! but with or without them he was just a step away from the audience!! i can't even find words to describe it... he touches me again with his playing and his human being! at 16:00 was the second performance with nearly the same programme than the first but the audience's support was much bigger than at the first! he also - besides the wonderful new "who wants to live forever" and other pieces - played the sirtaki - the zorba as he said - and the summer in his version - which i really love - and it was so wonderful! he again played it with so much energy! it was such fun to listen and to look!

hope you can imagine a bit of what it was like!!

christina

David Garrett at The Proms in the Park,

Hyde Park,

September 13th 2008. 

 The Proms are very well known in the UK and also throughout the world. This is a series of concerts held in the Royal Albert Hall in London from July throughout the summer, ending up with a huge gala event in September. The Last Night of the Proms takes place in the Royal Albert Hall but for the last few years, there have been enormous open air concerts taking place, at the same time, and the last part of the evening’s celebrations in the Royal Albert Hall have been screened in the other venues through a live link-up. 

David was one of the stars of the London event, which was watched live by 40,000 people and could be watched on a digital channel of the BBC. 

Arrival

I was lucky enough to attend the Hyde Park event. We arrived around 3 in the afternoon and joined an enormous queue, armed with flags, picnic baskets, chairs and even tables. It was a lovely friendly atmosphere and there were people from all parts of the UK and around the world. Everyone chatted and got on well as we waited until they opened the gates for the security checks at 4.  Once we got in we headed right for the front by the stage, to the left (hopefully in the area below where the violinist would play) We were just leaning on the fence by the Press area which meant that we got exactly the same view as the photographers when the musicians started. 

The Warm Up

The first event, the “warm up event” started at 5.30 and featured a folk/rock band, Bellowhead, who were great fun. Then it was Teatro, four musical theatre professionals who are all very good looking and have recorded songs from the shows. An Abba tribute band were next, Bjorn Again and it was really a party mood. The first part was compered by the popular tenor, Aled Jones, who was a child star with the theme from The Snowman “Walking in the Air”  (He didn’t sing.) 

Part One of the main event

There was a break of about an hour before the early part of the evening proceedings began at 7.30.  Hyde Park was packed by then and there was an amazing atmosphere. We were all chatting together. I was standing next to an Aled Jones fan who turned out to be one of the moderators on Classical X and we had been joking in the Forum that we would look out for each other !!!!! On the other side there was a Jose Carreras fan who had arrive at the park in the morning for the rehearsal. She had arrived at 9.00 am when David was just finishing. 

The BBC had been televising a competition where celebrities had learned how to conduct an orchestra and the winner of “Maestro” was due to guide the BBC Concert Orchestra through Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No 4” and then conduct Lesley Garrett in two operatic pieces. Sue Perkins, an actress who was the popular winner, was excellent and this was a perfect start to the evening. 

David

When Lesley and Sue left the stage, it was time for David. The audience were in a marvellous mood. Sue’s conducting had been very emotional and the crowd were really lively and supportive. 

David smiled beautifully as he arrived on stage. We were so close. It was almost as though he had seen us and smiled. (We can dream) He was very clearly so happy to be having the attention of so many people and with an orchestra too.  

He played “Czardas” by Monti. I have heard him play this several times before (at the Barbican in February for an encore – excellent with an orchestra) but this was extra special.  The video of the Nokia Last Night of the Proms (2002) was great but he has matured and developed as a performer since then and he positively sparkled.  You can tell from the photos how happy and in his element he was. This was David, the sorcerer, captivating everyone.  The audience gave him a tremendous reception. 

Then Jose Carreras appeared, singing “Passione” by Valente and “Chitarra Romana” by Di Lazaro.  It was a real privilege to see this great figure live and enjoying singing to such an enormous crowd.  After more from the orchestra and another song from Lesley Garrett, it was time for David to return. 

He chose “Zigeunerweisen” by Pablo de Sarasate as his second piece. This is pure classical and incredibly difficult. Sir Terry Wogan introduced David again, saying that he first performed this piece when he was only 11 and it had held a special place in David’s heart since then.  David has spoken about how this music has been so important to him on various occasions and you could tell how much the whole evening meant to him. 

I have never heard David play with such verve and emotion. This was the absolute perfect performance. The orchestra matched his excellence and we all knew we had heard something extremely special. This was a life changing event and we were incredibly privilege to share it. Several of my friends had listened on the radio and they commented that they could tell even without seeing him. 

Everyone who heard and saw David on Saturday must have recognised immediately that he is the most talented, charismatic and outstanding violinist of our time. This is a genius, a virtuoso at work. 

On his way off stage he grabbed the microphone. There was nervousness around him as it was clear he was not supposed to have done that. But he was determined and he told us all how much he had enjoyed it and how special it was. We had realised already but it was super that he showed such respect for the crowd and had spoken to us with such warmth. He stole all 40,000 hearts. 

The Rest of the Evening

Yes, there was another performance by Jose Carreras. Yes, there was a live link up for the Last Night of the Proms from the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus, the traditional music and all the ceremony.

But for me, nothing else but David’s glittering performances will live in my mind. 

Thank you, David.  Please come back next year. 

Tabitha.

XX

watch other great pics by Tabitha in the gallery

video

⬆

David Garrett and his Band at the Town Hall, Birmingham.

October 11th 2008. 

The Town Hall in Birmingham is a beautifully restored Victorian building in the centre of the cultural heart of England’s second city. It was only re-opened a month earlier and it is a perfect setting for a musician of David’s quality. 

It can hold 1200 people on two levels so nobody is very far away from the stage. David could connect intimately with the audience and speak in a personal and passionate way about his work and his music. 

At the back of the stage there was a curtain, which could be lit in a variety of colours to change and suit the mood. At times our beautiful violinist was set against a rich blue light, then warm orange, then green…. Visually it was simple but perfect. 

I was with three friends – from Germany, Finland and Manchester – and we all agreed that it was an experience which was unforgettable. Time flew and we were transported to another world. 

David arrived and spoke to us, introducing every piece with some background, his reasons for choosing it – and often with some gentle story about why it was important in his life. 

The repertoire included pieces we have come to know and love from “Virtuoso” – such as “Somewhere” (the UK Version of course),  “Duelling Strings”,  “Toccata” (introduced as Rock Toccata and with added panache in a live and energetic version) “Eliza’s Song”, the beautiful “La Califfa” and “Nothing Else Matters”. 

Instead of the “Carmen Fantasie” David chose to perform a broader selection of themes from the Bizet opera, some of which he had played to accompany Lesley Garrett at Henley. 

David cannot appear without playing “Csardas” – it is his signature piece, right from the days of the Nokia Night of the Proms and well before. It is wonderful whether it is performed in front of a huge orchestra (Barbican and Hyde Park) or intimately in a jazz club or with the band. And the other two essentials of “Bumble Bee” and “Zorba’s Dance” continue the speed theme with excitement and fun and, above all, skill. 

But this concert was far more than just a re-working of “Virtuoso”. It was David presenting his own personal musical direction, introducing where he wants to go next – with pieces that are to appear on “Encore” – “O Mio Babbino Caro”, “Summertime” and “Music of the Night.  

The most exciting taster we have had so far from “Encore” is “Smooth Criminal”. David told of how this came into being – how the themes were blended and developed and this performance was breathtaking – Mozart and Michael Jackson inextricably linked in the hands and fingers of the Maestro. I think my heart stopped. 

David’s Vivaldi “Summer” was the real showstopper – played down in the main part of the Hall, squeezing between the front row and the stage as our handbags were swiftly pushed under the chairs to give him enough space.  Hardly a surprise that one of the fans to our far right followed this by handing David a red rose when he returned to the stage. 

And in addition to the relaxed interpretations of classical works, David shone with some pure classical pieces – “Salut d’Amour”, “Claire de Lune” Brahms Hungarian Dance number 5 (wickedly teasing us by saying he had time to do the Brahms Violin Concerto instead – I wish)  “Hora Staccato” (moving onwards and upwards from the Heifetz version to the sheer excitement of impassioned violin playing) 

Before we arrived, one of my friends had said that, as he didn’t have Julien or Milana there we would have no really difficult classical pieces. WRONG.  John Haywood accompanied David in a frenetic and fantastic version of “Dance of the Goblins”, the Bazzini challenge. You could almost feel the nerves as John, with Giorgio turning the pages, delivered a seriously grand performance. (Yes, David was his usual brilliant self and probably the most relaxed person in the hall) 

Only two encores – but that was one more than he gave in the Union Chapel !!!! We didn’t want him to go. It felt as though he was playing only for us. It was what music is all about and nobody wanted it to finish…… 

Please come back to the UK very soon. I don’t want the dream to end. 

Tabitha. 

watch other great pics by Tabitha in the gallery

David Garrett appearing in Eindhoven, Holland, on October 26th 2008. 
  

There is something very special in the relationship between the soloist and the conductor.

After years of enjoying Simon Rattle at the CBSO, you become aware of the importance of this relationship and I have been lucky enough to see three very young conductors in action in recent months. Gustavo Dudamel (the amazing Venezuelan – and my close friends are so sick of me going on about him),  Andris Nelsons (our new Musical Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra)  and now Alan Buribayev (the new conductor from Kazakhstan – via the CBSO – who brought out the very best in David Garrett at the Airport Zaal in the centre of Eindhoven. 

From the moment David walked onto the stage, you could tell that there was a very special relationship between these two men – and Alan is younger than David. Smiles, nods and a true understanding.  Alan has energy and vision and it was clear that there was trust and total respect. 

David was dressed in formal classical gear – a suit (I thought it was matching) with a smart black shirt – very much the traditional dress of the virtuoso violinist. He paused, and there is a long introduction from the orchestra for this piece, and you could see him transposed into his own world – there with Brahms and the emotion of the piece. 

All the facial expressions, the total lyricism and mastery, was so moving. This is a desperately emotional concerto – and I confess that I was moved to tears in the first movement (witness my mascara) 

Not only does the soloist have a very special relationship with the conductor, he has to blend and build on the work of the other instrumentalists. From time to time, there was a nod, a smile, a lifting of the eyebrow – true professionals building on the work of Brahms to draw out the emotion and the passion of this well known concerto. 

It was true beauty and a true privilege to be present at this magical interpretation. 

We had booked our seats well in advance and when we arrived we had looked at the seating plan. The company had given us the best seats – for the total view of the orchestra and the occasion. We noticed that the front row was not sold out and the seats immediately in front of the violinist were still there.  The lovely lady in the box office tried to persuade us that we would see better, see the whole orchestra from our position in the balcony. We wouldn’t see his feet (I could live without that !) 

We thanked her – and said we would prefer to be close. For this, I had no regrets. It was very special to see and share the interaction (and the reactions of the blond first violinist and her neighbour, the luscious Italian-looking guy whose emotions were clearly a strange mixture of envy and total amazement)  David has that kind of effect on anyone watching him, and being swept away by the emotion of his understanding of the great musicians. The encore, Paganini’s “Carnival of Venice” was one such expression of the rapport – he interacted wonderfully with every one of the string sections in turn – and it was such FUN 

It was no accident and was truly right that he dedicated his Echo Klassik Award in the way he did. David’s respect and very special understanding of the music is never better expressed than in his true affinity with the classics. 

I got my copy of “Encore” this weekend and listened all the way back to Dusseldorf airport – what a way to finish the perfect weekend. But for me, for always, he will be a classical virtuoso 

Tabitha.

*****

heute Nachmittag war ich in Eindhoven/Niederlande bei David´s Klassik-Konzert mit dem „Het Brabants Orkest“.

Zuerst spielte das Orchester die Ouvertüre von „Hänsel und Gretel“ von Engelbert Humperdinck. Dann war David mit dem Violinkonzert von Johannes Brahms op. 77 an der Reihe. Wir hatten ursprünglich Plätze auf dem Balkon, die wir jedoch vor dem Konzert in Plätze in der 1. Reihe tauschten. Ich sitze gerne in der 1. Reihe, auch wenn man dann nicht das ganze Orchester sehen kann. Ich liebe es, die Mimik der Musiker zu betrachten, das Atmen, die Bewegungen.

David wurde vom Dirigenten Alan Buribayev (sehr jung), erst 29) auf die Bühne geleitet. Großer Applaus, welches ich dem Publikum, das älter war, überhaupt nicht zugetraut hätte.Das Orchester fing an zu spielen und David setze nach wenigen Takten ein. Ich finde ihn am Besten bei klassischen Konzerten. Er ist völlig in der Musik versunken und hoch konzentriert. Er spielte so fabelhaft. Ständig steht er mit dem Dirigenten und den Orchestermitgliedern in Augenkontakt. Dieses Zusammenspiel ist wunderbar anzuschauen. Dann spielt er wieder Sekunden mit geschlossenen Augen. Seine Musik hat mich unheimlich berührt und ich war manchmal zu Tränen gerührt.Mein Lieblingsteil am Brahms-Konzert ist der 3. Satz. Da hätte ich am Liebsten mitgesungen. Absolut brilliant und großartig gespielt. Leider viel zu kurz…David bekam stehenden Applaus .Als Zugabe spielte er von Paganini Carneval in Venice (Melodie von „der Hut, der hat 3 Ecken“), welches auch dem Orchester sehr viel Spaß machte.

Danach war Pause und das Orchester spielte noch ein Orchesterkonzert von Bela Bartok. Dieses kannte ich noch nicht. Es ist sehr virtuos, das Orchester war wunderbar und bekam tosenden stehenden Applaus.

Ich möchte mich noch entschuldigen, dass es diesmal keine Konzertfotos vom Konzert gibt. Ich hatte meine Videokamera und den Fotoapparat dabei, aber war der Meinung, dass es falsch gewesen wäre, Fotos zu machen oder zu filmen. Wir waren so nah, ich hatte das Gefühl es stört. Es war einfach nicht die Situation dafür! Ich kann nicht erklären warum, aber ich habe es gefühlt.

This afternoon I was in Eindhoven/Netherlands at David´s classical concert with the "Het Brabants Orkest".

First the Orchestra played the ouverture from "Hansel and Gretel" of Engelbert Humperdinck.

Then it was Davids turn with the Johannes Brahms concert op. 77. Actually we had seat on the balcony, but before the concert we decided to change our seats to row 1, which was still available. I love to sit in row 1, even you cannot see the whole orchestra. But I love to see the facial expression, the breath of the musicians and the movements.

David was directed on stage of the young contuctor Alan Buribayev (just 29 years). He got a lot of applause from the older audience which I did not think they were capable to do that. The orchestra started playing and David entered after a few beats. I thing David is at his best playing classical music. I love seeing him lost in the music, highly concentrated. He played fabulous, all time time he is in contact with the conductor and the other musicians, having eye contact. This teamwork is great to watch. Then he playes a few seconds with closed eyes...His music incredibly touched me and I was moved to tears in some moments.

My favourite part of the Brahms concert is the 3rd Movement. I would have loved to sing with the orchestra. David was absolutely brilliant and georgeous. Unfortunately the concert was very short....David got standing ovations..and he had to play an encore. He chosed Paganini "Carneval in Venice" which has the melody of the german song "Der Hut, der hat 3 Ecken". The orchestra had also fun to play this piece.

After the break the orchestra played a violinconcert of Bela Bartok, which I have never heard before. This concert is very virtuoso, the orchestra was wonderful and got standing ovations.

I have to apologize that I did not take any photos today. I had my Movie-camera and my photo-camera with me, but felt it was wrong to take any pictures during the concert or to film David. We were so close, I had the feeling it would disturb. It was not the situation to take photos. I cannot explain why, but I felt it.

Birgit

*****

watch the video

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Tour in Germany

David at the Alte Oper, Frankfurt.

November 15th 2008

It is a beautiful building - wonderfully stylish and the perfect setting for a Very Special Evening. This was the second in the series of recitals where David appeared with Milana Chernyavska, the brilliant pianist with whom he has performed regularly over the previous few years.

David was dressed in a relaxed suit, with a tie unusually poised round his neck. He was carried away with the music - in his own land of dreams, with the composers he had chosen. Before he began each of the pieces, he stood in silence, gathering his thoughts and preparing himself mentally. He looked exhausted, hardly surprising because of his current punishing schedule with awards, TV appearances and concerts!

But there was NO sense of tiredness in any of this masterful performance.

He must have played these pieces so often, but he always manages to draw emotion and sense of a special occasion, time after time.  I have heard several of these before, but each came with a freshness that can only be a tribute to this virtuoso.

David also has an unbelievable talent for communicating with his audience. If you are sitting near the front, you could almost imagine that he is playing only for you. He smiles, he glances and even seems to catch your eye. Illusion ?  Charisma ?  He is like the Mona Lisa, whose gaze encaptures you and is unforgettable.

First we had Beethoven – Sonata for Piano and violin, Op 96.  David has a real affinity with this composer. He waited for quite a long time at the beginning before he began to play - clearly communicating with Milana and the piece itself. His face was a mirror of his changing emotions and feelings and it all came out in the beauty of his interpretation.

Next Brahms - a piece which allows him to range across a full spectrum of technique and lyricism.

After the interval he returned with Grieg,Sonate fur Violine und Klavier in c-moll. This was the best I have heard him play this complex piece. I have a recording taken from the radio and it has that familiarity which we all love to experience. This performance added to that with the vibrance we have come to associate with David.

The final part of the programme was his very special "Zigeunerweisen" the piece by Pablo de Sarasate with which he stunned musicians when he was only 10. He plays it naturally - it is a part of him - and this was a fun experience (nearly as special as at Hyde Park but very different with only the piano to share it.) The humour, the unusual moves where he communicates in his own special way – unforgettable.

No fewer than 3 Encores - gaining in momentum and leading up to Csardas - faster than ever but Milana can keep pace.

WONDERFUL

Thank you David

I had travelled from Birmingham for this very special event and I wish I could travel to all the other concerts in all the other German cities. (But I have to return to work so that I can afford to attend his concerts in the future. Reality does have a part to play, even with David.) 

Tabitha 

Hallo,

ich habe auch Davids Konzert in Frankfurt besucht. Es war einfach fantastisch. Milana und er haben perfekt zusammen gespielt. Er begann mit Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata for Piano and Violin op. 96. Er spielte mit so viel Emotion und Sensibilität. Er war in seiner eigenen Welt. Der 3. Satz Scherzo:Allegretto war überragend und virtuos. Die Zuschauer haben zwischen den einzelnen Sätzen geklatscht, sehr ungewöhnlich, aber das junge Publikum schätze sein Spiel sehr. David musste sich danach erstmal wieder sammeln.

Danach spielten beide den 3. Satz aus Johannes Brahms, perfekt!

Pause

Nach der Pause Edvard Grieg, Sonate für Violine und Klavier in c-moll. Perfekte Technik und musikalisches Verständnis. Zum Schluss Davids Meisterstück!! Die Zigeunerweisen von Pablo de Sarasate. David spielte wie immer mit einer Lässigkeit, brachte die Zuhörer mit seinen Späßen zum Lachen. Er war einfach grandios! Mein absolutes Lieblingsstück.

Er musste 3 Zugaben geben, wir ließen ihn nicht gehen. Zuerst Bazzini "dance of the goblins", danach Elgar "salut d´amour" und als 3. Zugabe Czardas!!!!

Ich habe einige wunderschöne Bilder gemacht, die ich später hochladen werde.

Vielen Dank für das unvergessliche Konzert David.!

Yesterday I also visited David´s concert in Frankfurt. He was fantastic. He and Milana were a perfect team. He played the Beethoven with so many emotions and sensitivity. He was in his own world. The 3rd Movement Scherzo:Allegretto was brilliant and showed the true virtuoso. The audience did clap between the movements, which is not usual, but showed how much the young audience appreciated him. David had to gather his thoughts.

Then they played the 3rd Movement of the Brahms perfectly.

Break

After the break Grieg, perfect technique and musical understanding. At the end David´s masterpiece. Zigeunerweisen. David always plays it with nonchalance and the audience enjoyed his humor. He was brilliant, my favourite piece.

3 Encores, see above!

Thank you for the unforgettable concert David.

Birgit

watch other great pics by Tabitha and Birgit in the gallery

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