A Sunday morning with thoughts wandering…
Any colleagues with whom I have worked at several sites over the past 20 years will probably recollect seeing me at my desk working with some sort of headphones. From all-covering to the latest AirPods, I have run through several, often abusing them by twisting the often hair-thin wiring to the point of shorting and the silence of no return.
Music is a mainstay of my life, and has taught me much, although I can scarcely read a note. While at work, listening helps me concentrate on thorny issues, often inspiring beyond a roadblock. I suspect that many others who also use headphones at work use them for similar reasons.
Anyway to the focus of that randomness, Kirill Petrenko, and his new appointment as Chief Conductor of the venerable Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO). I have been searching YouTube for videos of his conducting, and since becoming the Chief Conductor for the BPO, they have restricted “free” access as they are keen to direct BPO lovers to their website and pay-per-view services. But finally, a find!
Beethoven 9th: 3rd End, 4th Begin
Petrenko assumed the role in August, 2019, and in a nod to the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth (Birthday 16/12) inaugurated his Chief Conductor assocation with the BPO leading them in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, at an open air concert Berlin performance (Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and yes, the new US. Embassy in incredible shots). While the sonics of outdoor concerts can be poor in a video, this is decidedly NOT the case in this performance. The performance is splendid, a terrific start to what will likely be a long relationship between Petrenko and the BPO.
The link above starts with the 4th movement of the 9th, which is the most popular. If it captivates you, the whole splendid performance is on offer with this link, free.
Not surprisingly in this performance, the renowned sound of the BPO strings brings tears to my eyes, as does all of the top flight interplay between the entire ensemble as well as the chorus and four soloists. This collaboration is like the purring of a Lamborghini at 350km on the Autobahn! When an organization like the impeccable BPO is at work, the collaboration becomes magical. Even with a new conductor who in this performance, has clearly put his mark on the BPO after just a few prior guest performances and this first official one!
Notwithstanding the elite nature of the BPO, how does it (one of the top 5 orchestras on the globe) compare with any functioning organization with a purpose? The answer is simply, that if the organization is functioning well and performing to their mission, everything. A good organization, functioning at the top of its game and to purpose will generate music, educate students, produce electric cars, or provide terrific superannuation service and returns, at harmoniously excellent levels.
So despite it being scarcely noon on a Sunday, and absent the benefit of adult beverages, I will end this note with a musing about how the BPO or any professional orchestra musicians for that matter might look like in a firm, such as a wealth management firm of which I have more experience than I care to cite here:
Conductor: CEO, what Else?
Strings: First Violins (Direct Sales and Relationship Management), Second Violins (Partnership Sales and Service Channels), Violas (Fund Accounting), Cellos (Accounting), Bass (Legal)
Percussion: Timpani (Compliance)
Brass: IT, Operations
Woodwinds: Customer Service generally. Clarinet (Product) because generally, its interplay with the orchestra and mission (the work played) is frequent and sonorous.
Chorus: Shareholders
Soloists: Corporate Board
The principals are of course the “Heads Of”. I have just described the broad sections of the orchestra with a few specific instruments noted. But with an adult beverage or two in tow, the further subdivisions might come to mind more readily. I will leave that for another day.
Sunday Cheers!
