The orchestra will be performing at the 2024 BBC Proms under its principal conductor Kirill Petrenko. But why is the Berlin Philharmonic so famous?
Who are the Berlin Philharmonic?
The Berlin Philharmonic (Berliner Philharmoniker) is a German orchestra, and one of the most respected and popular ensembles in the world. Attracting the very best players and conductors, the Berlin Philharmonic performs with a special richness of sound seldom achieved by other ensembles.
Among its famous roster of conductors are Otto Klemperer; Wilhelm Furtwängler; Herbert von Karajan, under whose tenure the orchestra dominated the classical recording industry in the 1980s; Claudio Abbado who led the ensemble during the 1990s; and British conductor Sir Simon Rattle, who served as chief conductor from 2002-2018, and who made it his mission to bring the Berlin Phil into the 21st century, while keeping mindful of its history and tradition.
When was the Berlin Philharmonic formed?
The Berlin Philharmonic was formed in 1882 in Berlin, Germany, when 54 players from Benjamin Bilse’s self-titled Bilsesche Kapelle – the orchestra he’d founded 15 years earlier – lost patience with their employer’s mean and autocratic nature and set up their own ensemble, initially called the Philharmonische Orchester.
Who are the Berlin Phil's past chief conductors?
The orchestra’s former conductors are:
Ludwig von Brenner (1882–1887)
Hans von Bülow (1887-1892)
Arthur Nikisch (1895-1922)
Wilhelm Furtwängler (1922-1945)
Leo Borchard (May-August 1945)
Sergiu Celibidache (1945-1952)
Wilhelm Furtwängler (1952-1954)
Herbert von Karajan (1954-1989)
Claudio Abbado (1989-2002)
Simon Rattle (2002-2018)
Kirill Petrenko (]2019–present)
You can read more about each conductor here: Past chief conductors of the Berlin Philharmonic
Who is the Berlin Phil's current principal conductor?
Kirill Petrenko is currently principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, a role he has held since 2019. The Russian conductor was formerly music director of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich and Berlin's Komische Oper.
Why is the Berlin Philharmonic so good?
The orchestra has a reputation for incredible sound quality, based on the technical and musical prowess of every one of its players.
It has also been led by some of the world’s most talented and charismatic conductors, each of whom has successfully merged the orchestra’s own sonic identity with their particular personality and musical interests.
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Is the Berlin Philharmonic all-male?
These days the Berlin Philharmonic includes many female musicians among its ranks, but it wasn’t until 1982 that it appointed its first female player – Swiss violinist Madeleine Carruzzo.
Clarinettist Sabine Meyer was the second female musician to join the orchestra, also in 1982, having formerly been a member of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Herbert von Karajan was in favour of Meyer being engaged after her probationary period, but the players voted 73 to 4 that she should leave, saying it was because her sound didn’t blend in with the section. Suspecting sexism, Karajan fought for her to stay. She did so for nine months, leaving in 1983 to pursue a successful career as a soloist and chamber player.
Who is the concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic?
The orchestra has three first concertmasters: US violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley, Japanese/British violinist Daishin Kashimoto and the most recent appointment, Latvian violinist Vineta Sareika-Völkner.
Where is the Berlin Philharmonic based?
Since October 1963, the Berlin Philharmonic has been based at the Philharmonie in Berlin, Germany, designed by architect Hans Scharoun. Part of Berlin’s Kulturforum, the complex includes the great hall (with over 2,400 seats) and Kammermusiksaal or Chamber-Music Hall (approx. 1,200 seats).
In December 2008, the orchestra announced the creation of its Digital Concert Hall – an online platform enabling audiences all over the world to watch the Philharmonic's concerts, live or on demand.
When is the Berlin Phil performing at the BBC Proms this summer?
The Berlin Phil appears twice at the Proms in 2024. For Prom 55 they perform Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto – featuring soloist Víkingur Ólafsson – and Smetana’s Má vlast on Saturday 31 August. Then, they're back the next night for Prom 56 featuring Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony (Sunday 1 September).
Both concerts are led by the orchestra’s principal conductor Kirill Petrenko.
Has the Berlin Philharmonic played at the Proms before?
The Berlin Phil first appeared at the BBC Proms in 1973, and has subsequently performed at the world’s greatest classical music festival 29 times.