6 times Germany and Argentina got together in music, and it was amazing
A clash in the World Cup? Pah! The real magic happens when these two great nations meet on the concert stage. Here's why...
1. Daniel Barenboim and the Berlin Philharmonic
He gets the most wonderful sound out of the legendary orchestra, and has done so for many, many years. This is the ultimate team - a classy Argentinian up front, and a super-solid German back four (the horns, that is).
2. Barenboim and anyone named Johann or Johannes
Let's face it, this legendary maestro + any German composer offers something lovely to wallow in. Just listen to this Brahms, his piano playing is as glorious, rich and thick as his locks were in 1968.
3. Sol Gabatta and Schumann
In recent years, Gabatta has set the classical world alight with the tone, lyricism and flair of her cello. Here she is in Leipzig with Schumann and French pianist Hélène Grimaud. What a pity Hélène didn't make it past the quarter-finals this year.
4. Germanic early music, from the south
Argentina has many fine exports in the field of early music, and heading the pack like a rampant Messi on a break into the penalty area is soprano Maria Cristina Kiehr. She just nails this Bach aria. Back of the net stuff.
5. Martha Argerich, Berlin & Deutsche Grammophon
The Argentine pianist's big break came in a recording session with the Berlin Phil and Claudio Abbado. They smashed the Ravel concerto for DG, and conductor and pianist posed for the coolest photo in classical history.
6. And for the Argentina-Germany operatic finale...
Tenor Marcelo Álvarez has brought his smoky Latin good looks and dulcet tones to many of the world's great opera houses. You'll hear him mostly singing Verismo and Bel Canto, but Italy did not make it out of their pool this year. So here he is with Richard Strauss instead.
