in Royal Festival Hall - the 1960's

from Southbank Centre Archive:

Otto Klemperer conducting Mahler's 9th Symphony. The concert started very late! He eventually appeared, supported 2 men, one on each side - very slowly he staggered up the steps to the podium and was 'dumped' into a chair. He raised his baton and the concert started. Unforgettable - a wonderful performance (Philharmonia?) - but how they followed his 'beat' I don't know. But they played their hearts out in response to his waving, quivering arms and hands. Terrific applause, when his arms flopped down to his side. He was escorted out, never to be seen again, despite continuing applause!
cite as

Southbank Centre (ed.), Southbank Centre Archive. In Southbank Centre Archive. https://led.kmi.open.ac.uk/entity/lexp/1401810883944 accessed: 28 March, 2024 (Southbank Centre Archive, http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/about-us/history-and-archive/southbank-centre-archive)

location of experience: Royal Festival Hall

Listening to

hide composers
9th Symphony
written by Beethoven, Beethoven
performed by Otto Klemperer, Philharmonia Orchestra
Ninth Symphony
written by Gustav Mahler, Gustav Mahler
performed by Philharmonia Orchestra

Experience Information

Date/Time the 1960's
Medium live
Listening Environment in the company of others, indoors, in public

Originally submitted by Ivan Hewett on Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:54:44 +0100