New York Times highlights James Gaffigan’s debut with Komische Oper Berlin

James Gaffigan makes his debut with the Komische Oper Berlin on April 8, 2021 (Photo Credit: Vera Hartman)

Five Things to Do This Weekend: Putting on a Mix
By Seth Colter Walls
The New York Times
April 8, 2021

When the Komische Oper Berlin schedules a season of music dramas, it often delights in making sure that repertory war horses alternate with modernist works and jesting rarities. Fitting a similar mold is its orchestra’s upcoming free concert on Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern time (streaming at komische-oper-berlin.de, where the concert will remain for one week following the live presentation).

The classic on offer is Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony. The modernist work is Webern’s Variations for Orchestra. The jesting rarity? That would be Friedrich Gulda’s Concerto for Cello and Wind Orchestra— a piece full of handoffs between jazz and rock influences as well as vintage Austrian dances (among other reference points).

As a pianist, Gulda collaborated with Chick Corea and was a noted interpreter of Mozart, so he came by his wide-ranging affections honestly. But since the concerto can also register as pastiche, it will be interesting to hear whether the conductor James Gaffigan — a New York favorite, making his debut with this orchestra on Friday — can bring a sense of unity to the overall program.

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