– There are so many parts in this movement where time seems to stand still, in peace

By Johanna Holt Kleive
Photo: Kristoffer Myhre

You will conduct SSO on wednesday in connection with Beethoven's 250th anniversary. How does it feel to conduct this well-known orchestra for the first time?

– I am really excited! We have rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday, and perform the first concert on Wednesday. I have met the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra during two master classes before, and experienced them as a very open positive orchestra that is really interested in supporting young conductors. With Beethoven on the programme, it will be very fascinating to work with an orchestra that is very well known for its work on classical repertoire. I look forward to collaborating on two such great pieces of Beethoven, but also on two great pieces of Fartein Valen, which are very fascinating for me to explore.

Can you say a few words about how you have approached the music of Beethoven?

– We will perform Beethoven's 4th Symphony and in that connection it has been very helpful to have a good knowledge of the previous symphonies. I conducted Beethoven's first symphony in May, and the powerful number 3, Eroica, I conducted recently. It has been very exciting to follow the development of the different symphonies, especially after the massive 3rd Symphony, where Beethoven returns in the 4th to a more slim and classical style.

– It has been particularly interesting to get acquainted with the historical context regarding the piano concerto. Napoleon stands in front of a Vienna, it is war as Beethoven writes this. There is an anecdote that Beethoven was lain in bed that time, pressing a pillow over his face and ears because he can't stand the noise of war anymore. Such "warmotivs" we can hear very clearly in the third movement. But it had also a huge effect on the second movement, where Beethoven notes in his score that Austria shall pay it back to Napoleon. This movement sounds to me like an utopia. There are so many parts in this beautiful movement where time seems to stand still, in peace.

You will work in this piano Concerto together with Håvard Gimse. How does it feel to perform together with one of Norway's foremost musicians?

- I really look forward to working with him, and admire him as a musician. It is also great to work with him now since he was my former teacher when I studied as a pianist at Norges Musikkhøgskole. When I graduated in 2016, I didn't expect that we would work together in this combination four years later. Now I am very happy, excited and looking forward.

To Talent Norge Håvard Gimse tells that he has full confidence in Reith, and that there is no big surprise that his management is doing well.

– Daniel has been my piano student for a few years, and he is a very sympathetic, seriously working young man who I treat all possible progress. For me, it is no big surprise that his management is doing well. It will not present any particular problems that he is now "boss" when I play; I have full confidence in him and will treat him with the same respect as any other musician colleague. I am far from the one who has taught the most in this country, but I gradually see that the students I have had are moving in different directions and I meet them again on different platforms in music life. This is exactly how it should be, and I'm lucky to have been able to work with talents like Daniel, just in that phase before they bloom in full bloom.