Esa-Pekka Salonen - Interview

The Philharmonia Orchestra announced Esa-Pekka Salonen's first season as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor at a press event at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

The interview, shown as part of the launch, features Maestro Salonen discussing his plans for his work with the Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as his fascination with music. The film also features some extracts from the press conference.

You can subscribe to the Philharmonia Orchestra's Video Podcast Series by visiting http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/podcasts

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[nonoo]

Go Esa-Pekka!

[bluemonk82]

He's done some good work though alvie3. Have you heard his Sibelius, Mahler, Hindemith, or Nielsen recordings? All are outstanding. He gives very intense readings, which in many cases doesn't work, but somehow he pulls them off. Is he my favorite conductor? Absolutely not, but I think he has made some excellent recordings and turned in some great performances regardless of what critics say (they're never happy with anything anyway).

[BrucknerMotet]

6:23 "The kind of change of gear between the dress rehearsal and the concert. That is the whole point of playing music for people. That you do absolutely 120% every time you do anything. Otherwise it makes no sense. Why are we doing it otherwise. And that is also what makes a live performance worthwhile. Because this is something you will not get from a recording."

[gamrkidd]

I have had a $1 US bill with the words Esa-Pekka Salonen stamped on it.... how random

[Aoleon]

I was a student when he was conductor of the LA Philharmonic. On weekends I would go and listed to his rehersals and I learned a TON from him about 20th century music. Also, he premiered several new works that I saw him perform, including Lutoslawski's 4th Symphony - which is fantastic.

He is really in his element when conducting 20th century music - and even his film music like his Bernard Herrmann recordings are fantastic. He brings a power and rawness to the performance that others lack.

[Lockdown5020]

the trains are crap but its interesting lol

[alvie3]

Perhaps strange is the wrong word, maybe "full of it" is what I was looking for.  I just don't find his personality appealing, and I actually like Finnish people in general. To say something nice though, I agree he has a good ear for Stravinsky and how to make it work right. And I suppose that's not an easy thing to achieve. But that's not the stuff that gets me really excited, personally.

[bluemonk82]

Abosolutely. He only recorded Mahler twice I think. He recorded the 2nd and the 3rd. I wish he would record more. Maybe someday, he's still a pretty young guy. He was born in '58.

[bluemonk82]

He's strange? What conductor isn't strange in some way? We're all strange in our own way.

Despite what people like alvie3 say Salonen is an excellent conductor and has turned in many great, if not outstanding, performances, which more than I can say for some conductors, like Lorin Maazel for example, who clearly has no kind of control over the orchestra and seems to not really care how good a performance is.

[alvie3]

He is very strange, and dare I say his criticism of London at the beginning comes off as a bit prickish. I like London a lot, more than I like him. I am from LA, and you can have him Philharmonia! I remember when he referred to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring as the LA Phil's #1 party piece. Party... riiiigggghttt....

[trumpettromba]

Are you in HK? I heard his and LA Phil on thursday. I like La Mer and Ma Mere I'Oye the most. He's great!