Berlin Philharmonic is in superlative shape
I read your report on Simon Rattle and his attackers with surprise and dismay (Rattle's Berlin Philharmonic failing to thrill, says critic, May 25). Contrary to what is said by a few critics, the Berlin Philharmonic is in superlative shape. Of course it is not a carbon copy of Karajan's or Abbado's orchestra. While it has fully retained its richness in Romantic symphonies, it has opened itself up to contemporary as well as to 18th-century music in a novel way. How one likes one's Mozart remains an individual matter; there should, however, be few conductors who would want it to sound like Karajan's. Earlier this year, I had the pleasure to play seven concerts with Simon. I can only say that I have never heard any playing surpass that of the BPO in the three glorious performances of Mahler's Fourth Symphony I was able to hear. In every section of the orchestra there was the same amazing quality, refinement and commitment. The same goes, in recent years, for perfo