Petrenko’s Pulcinella Restores Stravinsky’s Transparency

Kirill Petrenko’s recent performance of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella with the Berliner Philharmoniker emphasized the chamber-like transparency of the score. By avoiding the neo-classical parody that often characterizes modern interpretations, Petrenko highlighted the work’s rhythmic vitality and the technical precision of the Berlin wind section. The performance serves as a diagnostic of Petrenko’s broader project in Berlin: the recalibration of the orchestral sound toward a leaner, more articulated clarity. This approach contrasts with the lush, late-Romantic textures that dominated the house during the Karajan era, signaling a move toward an analytical rigor that prioritizes structural transparency over sheer volume.