MAGGIO MUSICALE: “A DEBUT TO REMEMBER”

Klaus Mäkelä recently made his Italian debut with the orchestra of Maggio Musicale in the theatre’s panoramic roof top setting, right in the heart of Florence. The result of a personal invitation from Alexander Pereira and Zubin Mehta, Mäkelä’s guest appearance featured Sibelius’ Tapiola and Mahler Symphony No. 1 and was “a debut to remember” according to the Italian press: 

“… a debut to remember in particular for its hugely successful interchange, full of contrasts … and for the Finale, in which many conductors with great careers often tackle with nothing but noise, and which instead Mäkelä attentively illuminates in all its ambiguous alternation of layers and motives.”
Corriere Fiorentino   

“ … a performance of discursive fluidity and architectural solidity, devoid of blatant concessions, that only a high-ranking conductor can obtain.”
La Repubblica

“… as mature and well worked in the impressive breadth of the dynamic range as in the sure poetic delineation of the contrasting episodes, from the youthful freshness of the first two movements to the sinister deformations of the Funeral March, right up to the tormented conflicts and radiant outcome of the Finale with a truly captivating journey.”
 La Nazione