SHOSTAKOVICH/GERSHWIN – MUSIIKKITALO, HELSINKI, FINLAND

15 March 2019
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Joonas Ahonen

“…an unbeatable performance of Shostakovich’s fourth symphony. One powerful climax after another led to the final blow, followed by fading heartbeats”

“In Saraste´s interpretation everything was in place…the best performance I have ever heard in concert, and I have heard many”

16 March 2019
Jukka Isopuro, Helsingin Sanomat

MENDELSSOHN: ELIJAH – THEATER AN DER WIEN, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

16 February 2019
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Christian Gerhaher(Elijah), Maria Bengtsson, Maximilian Schmitt, Ann-Beth Solvang, Kai Rüütel

“Leading the Radio Symphonieorchester Wien, Jukka-Pekka Saraste furiously breathed life into the dense score with great clarity and urgent intensity, yet holding the orchestra back sufficiently to let the singers shine.. A fine musical evening, its power originating from its starkness.”

18 February 2019
Judith Belfkih, Wiener Zeitung

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SHOSTAKOVICH/BRUCKNER – GREAT FESTIVAL HALL, SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

14 November 2018
WDR Sinfonieorchester, Alban Gerhardt

“…this shows how exciting Beethoven can sound without period instruments.”

“The outstanding sound of the orchestra was most apparent in the funeral march, which was a triumph not least thanks to the fabulous woodwinds. And have you ever heard the three horns in the Scherzo played more brilliantly? At any rate, this Beethoven interpretation seemed to work like a charm.”

15 November 2018
Salzburger Nachrichten, Florian Oberhummer

SHOSTAKOVICH/BRUCKNER – COLOGNE PHILHARMONIE, GERMANY

10 November 2018
WDR Sinfonieorchester, Alban Gerhardt

“Powerful outbreaks of energy, brilliant crescendi and beautifully staged transitions.

…The perfomance was highly convincing and captivating; brilliantly played.”

12 November 2018
Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Markus Schwering

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DEBUSSY/SAINT-SAENS/SIBELIUS – SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, AUSTRALIA

17,19&20 October 2018
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Jean-Yves Thibaudet

“…superb performance…

…well-judged tempo contrasts, scrupulous dynamic control, dark-hued, unvarnished sonorities and tight-knit ensemble created a dramatic, intensely expressive interpretation that revealed an insightful understanding of the symphony’s distinctive structure and each movement’s specific character.”

18 October 2018
Murray Black, The Australian

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BERG/MAHLER – TONHALLE MAAG, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

12, 13&14 September 2018
Tonhalle Orchester Zürich, Janine Jansen

“Saraste’s first movement was given an emphatic, exhilarating reading…graceful and elegant in the Ländler, properly savage in the Rondo-Burleske.
The final ‘dying’ movement was a glory, with enchanting solos from both concertmaster Andreas Janke and principal viola Gilad Karni. After almost inaudible closing bars, Saraste held the audience in the palm of his hand before allowing them to start the generous applause.”

14 September 2018
John Rhodes, Seen and Heard International

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STRAVINSKY – COLOGNE PHILHARMONIE, GERMANY

6&7 July 2018
WDR Sinfonieorchester, Pekka Kuusisto

“Bravi were elicited by the pagan spectacle of Stravinsky’s “Spring Sacrifice”, which, despite all its vehemence and coarse rhythms, notably puts the orchestra’s current playing culture to the test. And after eight years with Saraste, this is really impressive. Under his encouraging grasp, Stravinsky’s ballet machine “Le Sacre de Printemps”… reached the finish line as the winner; the bravi were well-deserved.”

9 July 2018
Olaf Weiden, Kölnische Rundschau

“Stravinsky’s music, oscillating between primitivism and construcivism, found congenial interpreters in the excellently prepared WDR Sinfonieorchester, which under chief conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste transformed the Cologne Philharmonie into orgiastic pandemonium.”

9 July 2018
Rainer Nonnenmann, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

BEETHOVEN/SIBELIUS – COLOGNE PHILHARMONIE, GERMANY

20&21 April 2018
WDR Sinfonieorchester, Arabella Steinbacher

“It was a true experience to listen to the various parts of the mosaic being brought together and gradually put into context, especially in the triumphantly elaborate, exalted finale.”

23 April 2018
Marianne Kierspel, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

BEETHOVEN – COLOGNE PHILHARMONIE, GERMANY

23&24 February 2018
WDR Sinfonieorchester, Christiane Karg,Ingeborg Danz, Maximilian Schmitt, Tareq Nazmi,
NDR Chor, WDR Rundfunkchor

“With his flexible conducting, he elicited a smooth and cultivated sound from his orchestra. Swift, but by no means forced tempi instilled a wonderful liveliness to the music.”

“…transparent sound, nuanced down to the smallest detail without neglecting the overarching line”

“The Pastorale was illuminated with all the refinement it deserves. Saraste created ravishing transitions, placing emphasis on seemingly trivial matters such as trills or simple accompanying figures, always keeping an eye on the overall form. … on the whole a wonderful performance.”

“…a captivating interpretation, leaving a fabulous impression. A mercurial first movement, a wonderfully poignant third, and finally a breathtaking Finale that left nothing to be desired…”

26 February 2018
Mathias Nofze, General-Anzeiger

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