Herbert Blomstedt is old but energetic

I have just been to a concert at Musikverein Vienna: “Ein Deutsches Requiem” of Brahms played by the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig and sung by the Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna and Hannah Morrison and Michael Nagy as solists.

The concert was conducted by Herbert Blomstedt. He is 90 years old which makes him the oldest conductor I have yet experienced (Peter Schreier was 80 and Trevor Pinnock yesterday was 70) and of course he was fantastic. It is somehow special to see such an old but likewise energetic person on stage.

It was nice to see Michael Nagy again. He was once in the ensemble of Frankfurt opera where I have seen him several times on stage. I did not like the soprano so much. The choir was excellent but in some parts a bit too dominant for my taste (which is unusual as I often perceive the choir too mild). The orchestra was excellent.

I hear this piece at least once a year since several years now and it has definitely grown for me. When the music starts it gives me the shivers. It was wonderful!