It is difficult to unravel the secret of a conductor’s art. Often he is simply required to hold an orchestra together, drawing out beautiful sections and building climaxes. With Mahler’s works this can be quite sufficient due to his ingenious instrumentation, allowing the orchestra to automatically create a sound which, when everything is played correctly, is pleasing to the ear. However, this is far from sufficient for Jonathan Nott. As a former singer he challenges his Bamberg musicians with constant tempo changes and small flexibilities that free the music from a rhythmic corset that mutates everything into a march. What was once insecurity is now liberation. Today the Bamberg Symphony is an orchestra that can fly! Nott is considered a magician amongst conductors – and is first choice for everything, not merely for Mahler. 

Mahler’s Fifth
Jonathan Nott & the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra

Jonathan Nott Conductor
Michael Volle Baritone
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra

Johannes Brahms
Four Serious Songs, Op. 121
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor

Finishing time approx.: 9.00 pm