We just got back from a concert given by the Nürnberg Philharmoniker of Beethoven:

Concerto for Violin & Orchestra in D Major op. 61
Symphony No. 3 in Eb Major op. 55 “Eroica”

It was great. I’ve not heard the 3rd live before, nor was I familiar with the Concerto. The violinist was quite young, but incredible. His double-stopping was brilliant.

The best thing was that the tickets were free! As a member of the Opernstudio we get comps to pretty much any performance of the Staatstheater (the Philharmoniker is also the house ‘band’ - Nürnberg actually has two professional orchestras, the Philharmoniker and the Symphoniker; not bad for a town only a third the size of Brisbane!) except for popular premieres, such as Tannhäuser the other night (We’re seeing that on Sunday). Being Franken, Wagner is pretty popular in these parts; Bayreuth is just down the road a bit.

Perhaps I should write a list about symphonic music sometime. Of course, it could only come to nine points, as I would no doubt expire before finishing the tenth.

Also, great response on the LSO blog to a Guardian piece about conductors being unnecessary.