The Berlin Philharmonic; coming to a cinema near you

The Berlin Philharmonic
Four Concerts
Screening at:
Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, Bridgeway Cinemas, Penthouse Cinema Wellington, Rialto Cinemas Dunedin
August 27 – October 5

Anne Sofie von Otter will be on stage at the Auckland Town Hall in November but fans of the singer can catch her at the cinema this month.

She takes part in one of the concerts which are being shown as part of the four concert seies featuring the Berlin Philharmonic, the world's greatest orchestra

These classical music concerts are captured live in high definition with digital sound and an array of cameras which bring the viewer right into the orchestra.

Von Otter sings Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde along with tenor Jonas Kaufman. These two singers give remarkable performances exploring the complex emotional landscpae of the songs.

The Mahler concert, conducted by Claudio Abbado was recorded on May 18th this year, the 100th anniversary of the composer’s death. The performance also features the monumental Andante - Adagio movement from Mahler’s incomplete tenth symphony.

As with many of Mahler works the conductor seems to take on the role of the composer and the gaunt Abbado provides the ideal iconic figure to be leading the orchestra.

The two other concerts in the series have the orchestra playing in the vast Waldbühne outdoor amphitheatre and in the concert hall of the Berliner Philharmonie.

Another concert which screened earlier in the month featured the orchestra playing at the Teatro Real in Madrid under the baton of musical director Sir Simon Rattle. Featured in the performance was acclaimed Flamenco guitarist Cañizares and the music of Emmanuel Chabrier, JoaquÍn Rodrigo and Sergei Rachmaninov

The Mahler concert screens on August 27th, 28th and 31st

Future Concerts

September 17, 1 8 & 2 1
WALDBÜHNE 2011
The Berlin Philharmonic performs in the amazing Waldbühne outdoor amphitheatre in Berlin plays. With conducted Riccardo Chailly and features the music of Ottorino Respighi, Nino Rota (“La Strada” suite) and Dmitri Shostakovich (Suite No. 2 for Jazz Orchestra)

October 1, 2 & 5
THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC & YUTAKA SADO - CONCERT FO R JAPAN
Recorded live at the Berliner Philharmonie, this special benefit concert for the victims of the Japanese disasters features the Philharmonic debut of charismatic and award-winning conductor Yutaka Sado (long-time assistant of Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa). It features the music of Tõru Takemitsu and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 D minor.