This is where the music plays!

Published: 23/08/2023

When you take your seats at the Wolkenturm in Grafenegg, you usually experience something like this: chatter through the audience, a few warm hellos, the final latecomers quickly find their seats ... until everything begins as if by itself. The orchestra enters the stage, briefly checks their tuning, then that short moment of silent tension. Everyone waits for the maestro to appear - and, happily, more and more often, for the maestra as well. In concert they don't play an instrument, nor do they sing; yet conductors carry the music inside them as no one else. Without conductors, concerts like those we experience in Grafenegg would simply not be possible. So, we would like to introduce three personalities who will take the podium in summer 2023.

Ladies first: Norwegian Tabita Berglund is Principal Guest Conductor of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra. In the 2022/2023 season alone she has conducted top orchestras in Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, Finland, and Great Britain. At Grafenegg she conducts the Tonkunstler-Orchestra in works by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. Staying in Scandinavia: Santtu-Matias Rouvali comes from Finland, is chief conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra (London) and Gothenburg Symphony, and honorary conductor and artistic director of the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. He has conducted the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic, among others. He will visit Grafenegg with the Philharmonia Orchestra, performing a programme of works by Elgar and Tchaikovsky. 

Taking the stage to close this year's Grafenegg Festival is the Czech-born Jakub Hrůša. Currently chief conductor of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of both the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, he will serve as music director of the Royal Opera Covent Garden in London from 2025. On the final evening in Grafenegg he will conduct works by Janáček, Enescu und Rachmaninov.

How does one actually start conducting? When does someone know that this is the profession for them? We asked these three artists. Tabita Berglund tried it out in 2015, conducting a Verdi overture at an audition for a course, and immediately felt that this was the way she wanted to go. Her colleague Santtu-Matias Rouvali jumped in one day for an ill colleague at the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. After the experience, he knew that conducting would be his world. And Jakub Hrůša realised around the age of 15 that working with the orchestra on the concert platform and in the orchestra pit was his calling. Thereafter he single-mindedly pursued his path by through self-training (he is partly self-taught), composing, and listening to as many performances as possible. Three years later he studied at the Academy in Prague. 

Some things change through the years. One grows with experience and works differently in rehearsals and concerts. Over the years, Santtu-Matias Rouvali has realised that one needs to show more trust in the orchestra's musicians - the famous «knowing when to lead or let the orchestra play», as Jakub Hrůša calls it. It is the view his colleague shares: «Generally speaking, I hope that my conducting is less self-centred than it was a few years ago. That also makes it much more enjoyable.» 

In a world full of distractions - social media, noise, and the hectic day-to-day - techniques for dealing with such challenges are particularly important in the conductor's profession. It has become more difficult to concentrate – the three conductors agree on this. Tabita Berglund has resolutely decided for herself: «I’m not on social media, I’ve given away my smartphone, and I’m spending as much time in nature as possible.» Santtu-Matias Rouvali is of a similar opinion, wanting to spend as much time in nature as possible, which «calms my mind.» 

Jakub Hrůša thinks along the same lines and suggests: «subjectively speaking, if we accepted a smoking ban in pubs, I would seriously consider extending that to include background music as well. Concentrated listening would benefit a lot from that, in my opinion. And people would be happier if they could give their attention to something they love, and after choosing what deserves their attention ... Sometimes we can't escape the deafening noise, but it's so nice to sit together with friends and be absorbed in conversation!»

Looking back on its remarkable 16-year history, Grafenegg has welcomed many internationally renowned orchestras, soloists, conductors, and composers - but for some, of course, there is still the illustrious first time. Two of our conductors make their first guest appearances in 2023. Of his debut this year, Santtu-Matias Rouvali says, «I'm already looking forward to the special atmosphere!» His colleague Tabita Berglund also makes her first guest appearance at the Wolkenturm: «...after everything I've heard, I'm already very excited. For a Scandinavian used to rain and even snow in summer, an outdoor experience like this is really special.» 

The veteran among the three conductors is Jakub Hrůša, who recalls two pleasant memories: «Once there was heavy rain at a Wiener Philharmoniker concert and transferring to the Auditorium went very quickly and smoothly. At the very beginning of another concert, I conducted the piece «Ex nihilo» by Matthias Pintscher. As the name suggests, the work begins with barely audible occurrences - but on the stage of the Wolkenturm nature played along, especially the birds, and at forte. My wife told me afterwards that my stepfather was trying to figure out whether the bird sounds were part of the composition or just coincidence.»

Following their concerts in Grafenegg, all three, of course, will continue with performances in several countries. Tabita Berglund will travel on to Finland and work with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, her colleague Santtu-Matias Rouvali will prepare for the season opening concert of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden and immediately afterwards travel to the Baltic Sea Festival, then later to Bucharest for the Enescu Festival. And Jakub Hrůša remains on tour with the Wiener Philharmoniker: the next stops are Lucerne, Bucharest, Prague, and Paris. 

All that remains is for us to wish them the best: Toi toi toi and see you again soon!