Frank Cramer | reviews
Orchestra e Coro dell' Arena di Verona
VERONA SACRA | Great conductor and great orchestra
A brilliant interpretation by the German conductor Frank
Cramer
…Outstanding the performance of the Orchestra dell’Arena with
the Sinfonia da Requiem (Britten). Here, the German conductor
Frank Cramer, succeeds with the most difficult task, to combine
dramatic pleading with neoclassic calmness, with a brilliant and
desisive interpretation, in examplary agreement with the
composing mind Britten’s. Suggestive and moving, subsequently
the second piece appears, Vetrate da Chiesa, quattro
impressioni sinfoniche, which shows, how intense Respighis
love was for the dense and at the same time sensitive coloring.
The last picture, the one of Gregor the Great, is a real hymn of
joy to God, which Cramer, in all its unusuall might, understands
to convey. With the pieces of Pärt (Cantus in memory of
Benjamin Britten) and Marco Tutino, who closes the evening
with his Canto di Pace, Cramer urges into depth, developes
an intimate and affectfull atmosphere, which is engraved by a
thoughtfull and reserved performance. The Orchestre dell’Arena
reacted very good to his suggestive gestures and especially
showed evidence of the quality of its wind section and
percussionists.
G.V. , L'Arena, April 21, 2008
Jena Philharmonic Orchestra
A Gem among the New generation of Conductors
Frank Cramer excites the audience in the Volkshaus Jena
Who says there aren't any capable young conductors in Germany
after all! When Frank Cramer entered the Volkshaus stage last
Friday the audience saw a conductor who has exellent command
of his craft. It is not only his reading of the scores, he can also
bring them to life without the theatrical effects used by many a
colleague intending to win over the audience that way. Cramer is
an expert of high caliber and the Jena Orchestra was able to read
his every gesture - the resulting sound not only confirmed once
again the high standard the orchestra sets when it goes about its
work, but also expressed the joy of making a new discovery that
also mobilizes a musician's new energies. ...this creates
seemingly endless dynamic waves in the Rachmaninov piece,
which were even visible in Cramer's conducting. After the concert
he was rewarded with waves of never ending applause. This is a
name one should keep in mind. The Jena audience and concert
lovers can only hope that in the future Cramer can be enticed into
the Jena Volkshaus again.
Karl Müller Schmied, Ostthüringer Zeitung, 10 / 30 / 2007
Jena Philharmonic Orchestra
Wide Screen Cinema in Music
Jena Philharmonic Orchestra with 'European Hollywood'
Above all this evening showed the amazingly compact ensemble
sound and the powerful efficiency of the Jena Philharmonic
Orchestra. It might not be concidered elegant that towards the
end enthusiastic bravos sounded even before the finale trailed
away and that Frank Cramer at the music stand broke the
suspense, but it is highly understandable. Sergei Rachmaninov's
Symphonic Dances is definitely one of the works where light and
easy only applies to the title; the score meets all requirements of
a symphonic concert's main work and is by no means a piece of
cake. Frank Cramer neither denies the brittleness nor the almost
exaggerated wallowing attitude, the tendency to wide screen
cinema. And regarding to his interaction with the Jena
Philhamonic Orchestra, one cannot ignore the feeling that this
has been a sidereal moment and an excellent symbiosis.
Dr.Tatjana Böhme-Mehner, Ostthüringer Zeitung, 10 / 31 / 07
Orchestra of the Folkwang Conservatory, Essen
Lachenmann, the composer himself was enthusiastic
Frank Cramer conducted the Folkwang Orchestra
"Can one reach the audiences of philharmonic music with
modern music? The answer is Yes! ... the predominantly young
listeners experienced an exciting concert on a high level. Guest
conductor Frank Cramer did a great job…Not only with Arnold
Schönberg’s (Five Orchestra Pieces op.16) was the orchestra
convincing. Also the introductory piece Passacaglia op.1 by
Anton Webern and epecially Witold Lutoslawskis’ Concert for
Orchestra clearly proved that with the necessary discipline one
can get out a lot more of this orchestra.The piece Mouvement
(vor der Erstarrung) by Helmut Lachenmann, played by a smaller
ensemble of instrumentalists from the orchestra, triggered great
enthusiasm amongst the highly attentive audience, with the
composer being present, who at the end congratulated the
orchestra to a rousing musical rendition of his score.
Please more of it!".
Christoph Dittmann, WAZ, May 16, 2006
Orchestra Sinfonica del Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Wonderful direction of Cramer
" ... the intensive collaboration of the orchestra with Frank Cramer
was remarkably fruitful. Already the first measures of the overture
to La Clemenza di Tito stood out with a crystal clear and
precisely outlined sound. ...impressive dynamics and transparent
voice-leading in the Prague Symphony, a finale of frenzied
stringency and emotional outbursts in minor… In the Italian
Symphony Frank Cramer convinced with his passionate
interpretations.The Andante was astounding – a beginning of a
highly emotional intensity. … Finally, with the Saltarello Finale,
the audience, who had already shown their enthusiasm
throughout the evening, was completely captured."
Lucia Ludovica de Nardo, Il Gazzettino, January 23, 2006
Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
"...Frank Cramer, who has conducted many symphony - and
opera orchestras, displays his impressive abilities of his
personality and authority from the very beginning…..He ended
the concert with Schubert’s Ninth (Symphony in C Major),
a true monument, to which he, together with a very cooperative
orchestra, was able to give a strong dramatic as well as gentle
poetic performance, which reflected all of Schubert’s
expressiveness, bringing out its magic and radiance."
Ouest France, October 31, 2003
Bergische Symphoniker
"...Cramer loves the polished orchestra sound. Between fine
nuances in colour set in tight margins and the opulent rapture of
the finale, there were lush contrasting effects. A student of Stein,
Cramer conducted technically clean, analytically clear, always
looking ahead and breathing along ..."
T. Wintgen, Remscheider Generalanzeiger, March 9, 2001
Philharmonic Concert Altenburg - Gera
Conductor Cramer was very convincing
"Sometimes Bruckner takes a while to have an effect. And
sometimes his symphonic compositions can be an exciting
thriller, as was the Fourth Symphony this evening. Cramer
drew distinct gaps between the theme structures, set lightness
against the voluminous, and in addition sculpted razor-sharp
dynamic contrasts.The funeral march like 2nd Movement and
the chase-like Scherzo were just as thrilling. In all that, Cramer,
born in Essen, especially impressed with naturalness and
precision in his conducting, until the very last beat of the
triumphant final movement."
Katrin Seidel, Ostthüringer Zeitung, November 27, 2000
Mecklenburgische Staatskappelle Schwerin
"Frank Cramer pleased with his relaxed, graceful and impulsive
style of conducting."
Schweriner Volkszeitung, February 5, 1999
Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della Rai -Turin
"For quite some time now, the orchestra seams to be so fit, that
it's unnecessary to praise them for their work. Everything went
quite well last night and young Cramer, who conducted at the
podium between Giulini's and Riccardo Muti's performance,
was celebrated with ovations by the audience."
Nicola Campogrande, La Repubblica, January 22, 1994
Hamburg Symphonics
"The result: pure cinema-fascination with terrific `cinemascope
sound´, spiced up with informative commentaries by Cramer:
the discovery of the evening. His conducting was exact,
transparent and expressive. Even rhythmically difficult phrases
he managed with the verve of a dancer and was in control of the
orchestra at all times. Whether it was dramatic bombastic effects
or revelling in romance, every entrance, every pause, every
nuance was well placed."
Hamburger Abendblatt, September 24, 1994
Opera
A Midsummer Night's Dream
"One can hear the sparkle and rustle of the forest, and the sighs
of love and splendour coming from the pit, where Frank Cramer
brings out every nuance and distinction of Brittens’ musical
language, and together with the Tiroler Symphony Orchestra
Innsbruck and its strong and secure soloists, gives colour to the
shimmering moods."
Ursula Strohal, Tiroler Tageszeitung, June 23, 2003
Eugen Onegin
"Cramer, at present in Innsbruck, conducts brilliantly, clear and
distinctive, and also was a feast for the eyes of the audience.
The singers felt carried, not choked. Under Cramer’s baton,
Tchaikovsky's work turned into music of pastel tenderness:
Wonderful."
Wolfram Goertz, Rheinische Post, July 14, 2002
Turandot
A highly acclaimed Puccini-Premiere at theTiroler Landes-
theater: John Dews' und Frank Cramer's Turandot
"The bed, place of death and love, leads the fear of Turandot, but
also an orchestra which was, led in a highly flexible manner to
explosive moments and sincere tenderness by Frank Cramer.The
richness of nuances is performed magnificently with a wonderful
closeness to the scene: Prima la musica."
U. Strohal, Tiroler Tageszeitung, April 30 / May 1, 2002
Macbeth
"This was only possible due to the perfect collaboration of the
wonderful Tiroler Symphony Orchestra, fantastically conducted
by Frank Cramer, the brilliant-flexible Chorus and the
breathtaking soloists of the Wiltener Sängerknaben."
Moni Brüggeller, Krone, October 22, 2001
Tales of Hoffmann
"Cramer knows how to draw out the French character of this
music, its elegant lyricism, smartness and rhythmical wit."
H. Staszak, Nordeutsche Neuste Nachrichten, April 2, 2001
Orpheus in the Underworld
"Thanks to the conductor Frank Cramer, the musical part of this
production becomes a great event. With full delight he sets
dynamic accents and varies the tempo.The articulations of
orchestral detail are full of jesting sparkles.The Symphony
Orchestra St. Gallen is lead to great brilliance."
Th. B. Neue Zürcher Zeitung, October 31, 1995
Dreyfus -The Affair
"Frank Cramer, standing at the podium, clearly motivated the
eager Radio Symphony Orchestra. He already made a name for
himself with The English Cat by Henze at the Stadttheater Bern
and with the direction of a subscription concert. Frank Cramer
shows the fire in Meier’s score, and brings out the message of
the expressionism in an exemplary manner, as well as the
shocking intention of the scenes of despair and the emotional
anguish."
T.T. Der Bund, October 18, 1994
The English Cat
"The conductor Frank Cramer realized the difficult score with the
well-balanced cast of soloists, and the challenged Berner
Symphony Orchestra in an amazingly secure, vividly shaped,
tonally sensitive, and neatly elaborated interpretation. He
obviously knows how to stimulate the talents of the vocal soloists
as well asthe instrumentalists in an optimal manner by leading
them softlyand purposefully to mutual harmony."
M. F. Der Bund, November 27, 1990
▲TOP
VERONA SACRA | Great conductor and great orchestra
A brilliant interpretation by the German conductor Frank
Cramer
…Outstanding the performance of the Orchestra dell’Arena with
the Sinfonia da Requiem (Britten). Here, the German conductor
Frank Cramer, succeeds with the most difficult task, to combine
dramatic pleading with neoclassic calmness, with a brilliant and
desisive interpretation, in examplary agreement with the
composing mind Britten’s. Suggestive and moving, subsequently
the second piece appears, Vetrate da Chiesa, quattro
impressioni sinfoniche, which shows, how intense Respighis
love was for the dense and at the same time sensitive coloring.
The last picture, the one of Gregor the Great, is a real hymn of
joy to God, which Cramer, in all its unusuall might, understands
to convey. With the pieces of Pärt (Cantus in memory of
Benjamin Britten) and Marco Tutino, who closes the evening
with his Canto di Pace, Cramer urges into depth, developes
an intimate and affectfull atmosphere, which is engraved by a
thoughtfull and reserved performance. The Orchestre dell’Arena
reacted very good to his suggestive gestures and especially
showed evidence of the quality of its wind section and
percussionists.
G.V. , L'Arena, April 21, 2008
Jena Philharmonic Orchestra
A Gem among the New generation of Conductors
Frank Cramer excites the audience in the Volkshaus Jena
Who says there aren't any capable young conductors in Germany
after all! When Frank Cramer entered the Volkshaus stage last
Friday the audience saw a conductor who has exellent command
of his craft. It is not only his reading of the scores, he can also
bring them to life without the theatrical effects used by many a
colleague intending to win over the audience that way. Cramer is
an expert of high caliber and the Jena Orchestra was able to read
his every gesture - the resulting sound not only confirmed once
again the high standard the orchestra sets when it goes about its
work, but also expressed the joy of making a new discovery that
also mobilizes a musician's new energies. ...this creates
seemingly endless dynamic waves in the Rachmaninov piece,
which were even visible in Cramer's conducting. After the concert
he was rewarded with waves of never ending applause. This is a
name one should keep in mind. The Jena audience and concert
lovers can only hope that in the future Cramer can be enticed into
the Jena Volkshaus again.
Karl Müller Schmied, Ostthüringer Zeitung, 10 / 30 / 2007
Jena Philharmonic Orchestra
Wide Screen Cinema in Music
Jena Philharmonic Orchestra with 'European Hollywood'
Above all this evening showed the amazingly compact ensemble
sound and the powerful efficiency of the Jena Philharmonic
Orchestra. It might not be concidered elegant that towards the
end enthusiastic bravos sounded even before the finale trailed
away and that Frank Cramer at the music stand broke the
suspense, but it is highly understandable. Sergei Rachmaninov's
Symphonic Dances is definitely one of the works where light and
easy only applies to the title; the score meets all requirements of
a symphonic concert's main work and is by no means a piece of
cake. Frank Cramer neither denies the brittleness nor the almost
exaggerated wallowing attitude, the tendency to wide screen
cinema. And regarding to his interaction with the Jena
Philhamonic Orchestra, one cannot ignore the feeling that this
has been a sidereal moment and an excellent symbiosis.
Dr.Tatjana Böhme-Mehner, Ostthüringer Zeitung, 10 / 31 / 07
Orchestra of the Folkwang Conservatory, Essen
Lachenmann, the composer himself was enthusiastic
Frank Cramer conducted the Folkwang Orchestra
"Can one reach the audiences of philharmonic music with
modern music? The answer is Yes! ... the predominantly young
listeners experienced an exciting concert on a high level. Guest
conductor Frank Cramer did a great job…Not only with Arnold
Schönberg’s (Five Orchestra Pieces op.16) was the orchestra
convincing. Also the introductory piece Passacaglia op.1 by
Anton Webern and epecially Witold Lutoslawskis’ Concert for
Orchestra clearly proved that with the necessary discipline one
can get out a lot more of this orchestra.The piece Mouvement
(vor der Erstarrung) by Helmut Lachenmann, played by a smaller
ensemble of instrumentalists from the orchestra, triggered great
enthusiasm amongst the highly attentive audience, with the
composer being present, who at the end congratulated the
orchestra to a rousing musical rendition of his score.
Please more of it!".
Christoph Dittmann, WAZ, May 16, 2006
Orchestra Sinfonica del Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Wonderful direction of Cramer
" ... the intensive collaboration of the orchestra with Frank Cramer
was remarkably fruitful. Already the first measures of the overture
to La Clemenza di Tito stood out with a crystal clear and
precisely outlined sound. ...impressive dynamics and transparent
voice-leading in the Prague Symphony, a finale of frenzied
stringency and emotional outbursts in minor… In the Italian
Symphony Frank Cramer convinced with his passionate
interpretations.The Andante was astounding – a beginning of a
highly emotional intensity. … Finally, with the Saltarello Finale,
the audience, who had already shown their enthusiasm
throughout the evening, was completely captured."
Lucia Ludovica de Nardo, Il Gazzettino, January 23, 2006
Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
"...Frank Cramer, who has conducted many symphony - and
opera orchestras, displays his impressive abilities of his
personality and authority from the very beginning…..He ended
the concert with Schubert’s Ninth (Symphony in C Major),
a true monument, to which he, together with a very cooperative
orchestra, was able to give a strong dramatic as well as gentle
poetic performance, which reflected all of Schubert’s
expressiveness, bringing out its magic and radiance."
Ouest France, October 31, 2003
Bergische Symphoniker
"...Cramer loves the polished orchestra sound. Between fine
nuances in colour set in tight margins and the opulent rapture of
the finale, there were lush contrasting effects. A student of Stein,
Cramer conducted technically clean, analytically clear, always
looking ahead and breathing along ..."
T. Wintgen, Remscheider Generalanzeiger, March 9, 2001
Philharmonic Concert Altenburg - Gera
Conductor Cramer was very convincing
"Sometimes Bruckner takes a while to have an effect. And
sometimes his symphonic compositions can be an exciting
thriller, as was the Fourth Symphony this evening. Cramer
drew distinct gaps between the theme structures, set lightness
against the voluminous, and in addition sculpted razor-sharp
dynamic contrasts.The funeral march like 2nd Movement and
the chase-like Scherzo were just as thrilling. In all that, Cramer,
born in Essen, especially impressed with naturalness and
precision in his conducting, until the very last beat of the
triumphant final movement."
Katrin Seidel, Ostthüringer Zeitung, November 27, 2000
Mecklenburgische Staatskappelle Schwerin
"Frank Cramer pleased with his relaxed, graceful and impulsive
style of conducting."
Schweriner Volkszeitung, February 5, 1999
Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della Rai -Turin
"For quite some time now, the orchestra seams to be so fit, that
it's unnecessary to praise them for their work. Everything went
quite well last night and young Cramer, who conducted at the
podium between Giulini's and Riccardo Muti's performance,
was celebrated with ovations by the audience."
Nicola Campogrande, La Repubblica, January 22, 1994
Hamburg Symphonics
"The result: pure cinema-fascination with terrific `cinemascope
sound´, spiced up with informative commentaries by Cramer:
the discovery of the evening. His conducting was exact,
transparent and expressive. Even rhythmically difficult phrases
he managed with the verve of a dancer and was in control of the
orchestra at all times. Whether it was dramatic bombastic effects
or revelling in romance, every entrance, every pause, every
nuance was well placed."
Hamburger Abendblatt, September 24, 1994
Opera
A Midsummer Night's Dream
"One can hear the sparkle and rustle of the forest, and the sighs
of love and splendour coming from the pit, where Frank Cramer
brings out every nuance and distinction of Brittens’ musical
language, and together with the Tiroler Symphony Orchestra
Innsbruck and its strong and secure soloists, gives colour to the
shimmering moods."
Ursula Strohal, Tiroler Tageszeitung, June 23, 2003
Eugen Onegin
"Cramer, at present in Innsbruck, conducts brilliantly, clear and
distinctive, and also was a feast for the eyes of the audience.
The singers felt carried, not choked. Under Cramer’s baton,
Tchaikovsky's work turned into music of pastel tenderness:
Wonderful."
Wolfram Goertz, Rheinische Post, July 14, 2002
Turandot
A highly acclaimed Puccini-Premiere at theTiroler Landes-
theater: John Dews' und Frank Cramer's Turandot
"The bed, place of death and love, leads the fear of Turandot, but
also an orchestra which was, led in a highly flexible manner to
explosive moments and sincere tenderness by Frank Cramer.The
richness of nuances is performed magnificently with a wonderful
closeness to the scene: Prima la musica."
U. Strohal, Tiroler Tageszeitung, April 30 / May 1, 2002
Macbeth
"This was only possible due to the perfect collaboration of the
wonderful Tiroler Symphony Orchestra, fantastically conducted
by Frank Cramer, the brilliant-flexible Chorus and the
breathtaking soloists of the Wiltener Sängerknaben."
Moni Brüggeller, Krone, October 22, 2001
Tales of Hoffmann
"Cramer knows how to draw out the French character of this
music, its elegant lyricism, smartness and rhythmical wit."
H. Staszak, Nordeutsche Neuste Nachrichten, April 2, 2001
Orpheus in the Underworld
"Thanks to the conductor Frank Cramer, the musical part of this
production becomes a great event. With full delight he sets
dynamic accents and varies the tempo.The articulations of
orchestral detail are full of jesting sparkles.The Symphony
Orchestra St. Gallen is lead to great brilliance."
Th. B. Neue Zürcher Zeitung, October 31, 1995
Dreyfus -The Affair
"Frank Cramer, standing at the podium, clearly motivated the
eager Radio Symphony Orchestra. He already made a name for
himself with The English Cat by Henze at the Stadttheater Bern
and with the direction of a subscription concert. Frank Cramer
shows the fire in Meier’s score, and brings out the message of
the expressionism in an exemplary manner, as well as the
shocking intention of the scenes of despair and the emotional
anguish."
T.T. Der Bund, October 18, 1994
The English Cat
"The conductor Frank Cramer realized the difficult score with the
well-balanced cast of soloists, and the challenged Berner
Symphony Orchestra in an amazingly secure, vividly shaped,
tonally sensitive, and neatly elaborated interpretation. He
obviously knows how to stimulate the talents of the vocal soloists
as well asthe instrumentalists in an optimal manner by leading
them softlyand purposefully to mutual harmony."
M. F. Der Bund, November 27, 1990
▲TOP