Talk with Mariss Jansons

Mariss Jansons was a renowned conductor, known for his profound interpretations and skill in leading some of the world’s leading orchestras. Born on January 14, 1943, in Riga, then part of the Soviet Union (now Latvia), he grew up in a musical environment; his father, Arvīds Jansons, was also a conductor. His mother, Iraida Jansone, was an opera singer.

Jansons studied at the Leningrad Conservatory (now St. Petersburg) with notable teachers including Evgeny Mravinsky, and later at the Austrian Academy of Music in Vienna. His career took off in the 1970s, and he held prominent roles with many major orchestras. Notably, he served as the music director of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra from 1979 to 2002, where he raised the ensemble's international profile significantly.

He also led the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra between 1997 and 2004 and was the principal conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra from 2003 until his death in 2019. Additionally, Jansons worked closely with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.

His conducting style was admired for its intensity and the deep emotional connection he fostered between the music and his audiences. Despite health problems, including a severe heart attack in 1996, Jansons continued to pursue an active and demanding career. He passed away on December 1, 2019, leaving behind a legacy as one of the leading conductors of his generation. Jansons was celebrated not only for his technical proficiency but also for his passionate interpretations of a broad repertoire spanning classical, romantic, and contemporary works.

Mariss Jansons was renowned for his deeply emotional and meticulously detailed conducting style. A few aspects of how he approached conducting differently include:

1. Emotional Connection: Jansons was known for his profound emotional engagement with the music he conducted. He often spoke about the importance of feeling the composer’s intentions and conveying these emotions through his performances. This emotional depth was palpable in his interpretations, allowing audiences to experience the music on a deeply personal level.

2. Rigorous Preparation: Jansons was known for his thorough and exhaustive study of scores. He delved deeply into the context, history, and nuances of each piece, which informed his detailed and nuanced conducting style. This preparation helped him to extract a precise and faithful interpretation of the score, which was always tailored to the capabilities and strengths of the orchestra he was leading.

3. Collaborative Spirit: Despite his exacting standards, Jansons cultivated a collaborative relationship with the musicians in his orchestras. He respected and valued the input of the individual musicians, often engaging them in discussions about the interpretation of the music. This approach not only boosted the ensemble's morale but also enhanced the cohesiveness and expressivity of their performances.

4. Physicality and Gesture: Jansons’ conducting technique was notable for its expressiveness and physical engagement. His gestures were clear but also full of passion, which helped to evoke powerful performances from the orchestra. He believed that body language and gesture were critical components of conveying musical ideas to the orchestra.

5. Focus on Sound Quality: Jansons was particularly attentive to the sound quality of his orchestras. He worked meticulously on balancing and blending the sound of different sections within the orchestra, achieving a harmonious and rich overall sound. His recordings are testament to his ability in achieving a polished and finely nuanced sound.

6. Personal Resilience and Dedication: Throughout his career, especially after suffering from health issues, Jansons showed remarkable resilience and dedication to music. He continued to conduct and maintain a busy international schedule, which reflected his passion and commitment to his craft despite personal health challenges.

These elements combined to create a unique and highly effective approach to conducting, making Mariss Jansons one of the leading conductors of his time, revered for his musical interpretations and leadership style.

Mariss Jansons was highly respected by his musicians, primarily for his deep musical understanding, meticulous attention to detail, and his passionate approach to orchestral performances. He was known to foster a collaborative environment while also maintaining high standards, which helped in bringing out the best in the orchestras he conducted. Jansons' leadership style was admired for his ability to balance authority with genuine care for his musicians’ well-being, often inspiring loyalty and high-level performances. His deep commitment to music and his charismatic yet kind demeanor made him a beloved figure among those who worked with him.

Mariss Jansons was known for his meticulous and exacting approach to rehearsals. He believed deeply in the power of detailed preparation, and his rehearsals were known for being intense and thorough. Jansons would meticulously work through scores, paying close attention to every detail to ensure that each element of the music was expressed to his exact standards.

He had high expectations for the musicians he worked with and demanded a high level of professionalism and commitment. However, despite his demanding nature, he was also respected and admired by many musicians for his deep musical understanding and ability to inspire orchestras to achieve high levels of performance. His rehearsals were not only about technical perfection but also about finding the emotional and expressive depth of the music.

Jansons’ approach to rehearsal and music-making was influenced by his lineage of training, which included studying under the legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan and the esteemed conductor Hans Swarowsky, and he brought this lineage of rigorous, European classical training and interpretation to his work with orchestras around the world.

Mariss Jansons was recognized for his extensive discography, covering a broad range of classical music. Some of his most notable recordings include:

1. Tchaikovsky Symphonies - Especially revered is his recording of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 "Pathétique" with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. His interpretation of Tchaikovsky's works generally has been highly acclaimed for their intensity and emotional depth.

2. Shostakovich Symphonies - Jansons' recordings of Shostakovich's symphonies, particularly Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" and Symphony No. 10, with orchestras like the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, have received praise for their profound musical insights and technical prowess.

3. Mahler Symphonies - His recordings of Gustav Mahler's symphonies are also celebrated. His interpretations of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection" and Symphony No. 3 with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra are notable examples. These recordings are admired for their rich orchestral colours and dynamic range.

4. Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony - Conducting the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jansons delivered a brilliant recording of this challenging score, noted for its vivid orchestration and sweeping grandeur.

5. Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring - His rendition with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is appreciated for its rhythmic accuracy and energetic execution.

6. Brahms Symphonies - His cycle of Johannes Brahms' symphonies with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra has been heralded for its clarity and structural coherence, capturing the lyrical beauty and architectural precision of Brahms' compositions.

These recordings not only showcase Jansons’ deep understanding of a wide repertoire but also his ability to draw profound emotional expression from the orchestras he led.

Yes, Mariss Jansons is widely regarded as one of the great conductors of his generation. His interpretations of symphonic music, particularly the works of Mahler, Shostakovich, and Tchaikovsky, have been highly praised for their intensity and insight. Jansons has led several of the world's premier orchestras, including the Oslo Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. His leadership and profound understanding of orchestral music have earned him numerous accolades and a respected place in classical music history.

Mariss Jansons conducted symphonies in many prestigious venues worldwide, being involved with several esteemed orchestras. Some key locations and orchestras where he held significant roles include:

1. Oslo Philharmonic - where he was the music director from 1979 to 2002, transforming it into an internationally renowned orchestra.
2. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra - serving as the music director from 1997 to 2004, he further elevated the orchestra's profile on the global stage.
3. Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam - he was the chief conductor from 2004 until his death in 2019, one of the leading orchestras in the world.
4. Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra - Jansons was also the chief conductor of this prominent orchestra in Munich from 2003 until his passing in 2019.

In addition to these, he guest-conducted other leading orchestras across the world, including those in Vienna, Berlin, London, and New York, among others. His performances took place in various significant concert halls and opera houses globally.

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