Philharmonie

Philharmonie review

Berlin's most famous concert hall, home to the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, is also its most architecturally daring; a marvellous, puckish piece of organic modernism. The hall, with its golden vaulting roof, was designed by Hans Scharoun and opened in 1963. Its reputation for superb acoustics is accurate, but it does depend on where you sit. Behind the orchestra the acoustics leave plenty to be desired, but in front (where it is much more expensive) the sound is heavenly. The structure also incorporates a smaller hall, the Kammermusiksaal, about which the same acoustical notes apply.

The unique Berliner Philharmoniker (www.berliner-philharmoniker.de) was founded in 1882 by 54 musicians keen to break away from the penurious Benjamin Bilse, in whose orchestra they played. Over the last 120 years, it has been led by some of the world's greatest conductors, as well as by composers such as Peter Tchaikovsky, Edvard Grieg, Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler. Its greatest fame came under the baton of Herbert von Karajan, who led the orchestra between 1955 and 1989, and was succeeded by Claudio Abbado. Since 2002, it has been under the leadership of Simon Rattle. The Berlin Phil gives about 100 performances in the city during its August to June season, and puts on another 20 to 30 concerts around the world. Some tickets are available at a discount immediately before performances.