European Concert 2001 - Istanbul [DVD] [1991]

The program consists of the 'Surprise' Symphony of Haydn (Symphony No. 94 in G major), the Mozart Flute Concerto No. 2 in D major, K. 312 featuring the current poster-boy of flutists, Emmanuel Pahud, and a sizzling Berlioz 'Symphonie Fantastique.' The Philharmonic is in top form and this is a very satisfying concert indeed. Pahud, who not only has movie-star good looks but has a huge tone and sophisticated musicality, plays the Mozart dazzlingly. The Haydn features some of the most impressive pianissimi one could ever hear from an orchestra. And the 'surprise' in the second movement does indeed surprise because of the dynamic contrast.

But the star of the show is Berlioz's symphony. The Philharmonic had been reduced to chamber size for the two earlier pieces, but here the whole compliment of this large orchestra is crammed into the raised area at the front of this ancient church. There was no room for the two harpists and so they are placed in front of the orchestra at audience level and practically in the laps of the first row of concertgoers; they are actually behind the conductor. This works well when one considers the prominent role they play in the symphony, particularly the 'Un Bal' movement, but it looks a little strange in the last movement in which they don't play at all and have to just sit there idly while more or less still in the spotlight. No matter. This performance is simply stunning. Jansons conducts an extremely subtle performance and the Berliners give him everything he wants. The 'Marche aux supplice' and 'Songe d'une nuit de Sabbat' are incredibly exciting. One interesting touch is that the oboe that echoes the marvelous English horn solo in the 'Scene aux champs' is stationed in a rear balcony which appears to be as much as 100 yards away. Talk about antiphonal effects!

The camerawork is creative. There is a good deal of focus on the musical instruments and their players with a minimum of attention paid to the conductor himself. I appreciated this particularly remembering how the old Karajan/BPO videos tended to focus so much on the conductor as to make them seem a vanity project. Sound is superb stereo.

There is no booklet included with the DVD, no great loss and perhaps it was simply overlooked in DVD that I received. I certainly didn't miss it. There are two extras - a short backstage feature that shows musicians and technicians as they prepare for the concert and a very nicely done 20 minute feature about Istanbul itself with an emphasis on musical activity in that beautiful city. One gets to see and hear a colorfully-costumed Janissary band playing the kind of music that took Europe by a storm in the 18th century (think of Mozart's 'Rondo alla turca), advanced string students at one of the three local European-style conservatoires playing a bit of the Debussy Quartet, and an ensemble of traditional instruments playing Turkish music. We also get a look inside Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, among other sights.

TT=104 mins for the concert, and 30 minutes for the 'extras'

Scott Morrison