Every performance I’ve attended with Herbert Blomstedt and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra over the last few years has been a revelation of sorts. There’s a clarity and simplicity in how the music comes about that comes very close to an “ok, I get it now – that’s how it is supposed to sound like” experience.
Last night’s sold out performance at the Berwald hall of Beethoven’s 7th symphony was no exception. The musicians seemed to be as attentive as they could ever be, a sense that there’s an immense respect for the more or less legendary conductor. And the result was of course a brilliant, fresh rendition of Beethoven’s masterpiece that was greeted with a standing ovation from a cheering crowd. Hopefully there will be many more evenings like this one, but who knows?! The dude turns 88 in July.
