Maestro Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos went home this morning.
Maestro Frühbeck de Burgos was my first “boss” with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra from 1994-1996.
He was a very fair person who knowingly kept a respectful distance from each of his musicians. He made no distinctions, no exceptions – he treated everyone the same!
I would like to share a little anecdote that was a key experience for me in my professional development.
It was my first concert as first concertmaster, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos conducting the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at the Vienna Konzerthaus.
The program includes “The Tricorn” by de Falla.
There was a slight inconsistency in the first violins and I tried my best to follow the conductor to compensate for this minimal “unevenness”… But I didn’t succeed…
After the concert – as it should be – I went to Maestro’s room to thank him and apologize for the little incident.
Briefly and succinctly, as was his way, he said the following: Ms. Kolar, I’ll tell you something – never play with the conductor, always play with the group!
My dear readers, you have no idea how much of a journey the revered, dear maestro has saved me!
No laborious learning from critical experiences, but a striking reference, the depth and clarity of which still accompanies me today!
After many years, we met again at more or less regular intervals: in Bergen, in Seville and my last encounter with him was “his” Carmina Burana with the Orquesta Nacional España in Madrid before Christmas.
Following this concert, he was honored on the occasion of his eightieth birthday.Thank you Maestro Frühbeck de Burgos! May you return to the source of us all accompanied by the music of angels!
