In Vienna with the OSI
«Preparing a tour of a symphony orchestra is always very complex: there are in fact many things to organize, problems to solve, solutions to find, especially in a period like this marked by the pandemic wave. In January, for example, we found ourselves having to decide whether the planned winter exhibition cycle in Basel, Munich and Vienna, which had been planned for years, was still possible. Innumer by choice and on the rules for the removal of COVID in various countries and cities led us to make choices The result was: Basel and Vienna yes result, Munich unfortunately no. The concert in Munich’s Prinzregententheater therefore had to be “sacrificed” and the originally planned travel plan (Basel-Munich-Vienna) revised.
After a successful concert at the Stadtcasino in Basel, the orchestra therefore had to return to Lugano, enclose itself in a “bubble” to remain as safe as possible from Omikron’s contagion before leaving for the demanding trip to Vienna.
Almost an Olympics
A concert at the Musikverein in Vienna is indeed a different event from the others. In some ways it is like participating in an edition of the Olympic Games: you want to offer a high-level performance in front of an international audience that will almost certainly make a comparison with the great orchestras of the world that have performed before you in its golden hall. and you want to share your experience as much as possible, also and above all to those who stayed at home. This is the state of mind that accompanied us on the eve of the trip, accompanied by the question whether in the end everything worked out, if the coronavirus put a spoke in the wheel and if, above all, it was worth facing all the stress .. I can say it upfront: Yes, it’s totally worth it! An orchestra needs concerts like this in order to establish itself internationally, to become an ambassador of its own land, in our case of Italian-speaking Switzerland. These challenges are extraordinary in the life of a musician and of an institution like OSI. It is not just something that can provide the right energy for subsequent performances ahead of its audience, but a priceless opportunity to show the world the exceptional quality of the music produced in Italian-speaking Switzerland.
The departure
As always for concerts outside Lugano, the orchestra is located in its headquarters, the Besso radio studio, for a common departure. In fact, the musicians not only play together on stage, but also travel together. An element in this period even more important than usual, as to avoid possible Omikron infections on the road, it is necessary not only to carry out regular tests (which we have done constantly for many months), but also to create a bubble: before getting on the ‘bus, everyone is then tested again, then we always move together, on the bus, on the charter flight, at meals, etc. A logistical challenge for the staff, a special situation for everyone in the bubble. The nervousness is therefore great – can everyone travel with us, or will someone still test positive at the last moment? – The relief is great: all negative!
The arrival in Vienna
The group then moved from Lugano to Milan-Malpensa from where it left for Vienna. The flight to the Austrian capital is short, the perfect landing and soon we reach our hotel.
At the same time, our stage direction, led by Remo Messi, has already arrived and is making the first preparations at the Musikverein. The following day, in fact, the tests are scheduled at 10 and everything must be ready.
The rehearsal at the Musikverein
Anyone who has been to Vienna knows the feeling. In fact, the whole city seems to breathe music, here is the State Opera, there is a monument to Josef Strauss, further on is the Musikverein … Even in a taxi or in a restaurant, classical music accompanies you everywhere. But when you enter the Musikverein through the entrance reserved for artists, the emotions are really strong. In fact, all of the great musicians passed through this door.
The interior is amazing. There is probably no other concert hall in the world that still looks like it once did. In fact, great care has been taken in every detail so that everything remains as it was when it was inaugurated in 1870: whether it is the conductor’s dressing room, the foyer or the floor of the stage. Everything like the old days!
The test starts at 10 in the morning. The main aspect of the same is not only to make OSI and its principal conductor Markus Poschner get used to this wonderful hall with Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony – already performed by them in Lugano and Basel – but also the fact of meet the young pianist who will play with them: it is Rodolfo Leone from Turin, who already from the first notes of Beethoven’s fifth piano concert convinces us with his excellent touch.
The concert, the emotions
Then finally, the concert arrives. It is almost impossible for me to describe it in words. What happens in the Musikverein room is truly unique and able to give emotions, sensations that overlap with each other accompanied by the notes of a Pathetic masterfully directed by Markus Poschner with which OSI really makes its entrance. in the “gotha” of contemporary classicism. In short, the great and dreamed goal has been achieved. But this is only an intermediate goal: the international challenge of our symphonic ensemble has in fact just begun … “
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