From common ground to lofty heights

Christian Thielemann and Rudolf Buchbinder appear to approach the same music from opposite extremes of temperament. Mr Thielemann, with his large gestures, occasionally stiff demeanour and frequent look of consternation, creates the impression of someone searching and striving, forever attempting to convince the orchestra to make a pianissimo that much quieter or a climax even more profound; yet the music that emerges is more often than not possessed of considerable sensitivity and refinement, with few of the conductorly idiosyncrasies that one might expect from such an apparently physical involvement with the score. 

Mr Buchbinder, on the other hand, cloaks the fiery aspects of his performance beneath a surface of total placidity; yet the geniality of his presence, the quiet assurance of his technique, and the economy of his gestures can…