Berliner Philharmoniker: A Dream Come True

This is a big moment in my life! Can’t believe I was sitting in the grand auditorium waiting for the world’s best orchestra to show up. The interaction between Berliner Phiharmoniker and UMS dates back to as early as 1955, however its most recent appearance was already 8 years ago. Back then I was just a school kid playing lousy accordion, never dreamed of watching a prestigious orchestra performing live. Now I’m here in Ann Arbor, going to witness Berliner Philharmoniker playing right in front of my eyes. Amazing!

Honestly, I didn’t listen to Brahms that much. I agreed that his symphonies are rigorously structured and thoughtful in its own ways, but they’re somehow not as exciting compared to his contemporaries and some predecessors – there’s no buzz. However, tonight’s performance completely changed my mind. It commenced with Brahms’ Symphony #3. I like the slow movement a lot. The theme of Andante is very gentle and lyrical, recalling other romantic composers’ style like Schumann’s, while being performed by BPO the progression kinda gave a feeling of magnificence and grandness, creating the illusion that I was listening to one of Beethoven’s movements. The poco allegretto began with a well-known theme, introduced by cellos and followed up by violins. It seemed to depict that the composer is deep in meditation, and is recalling his old memories. The melody seemed to be accompanied by a feeling of sorrow and tragedy, an emotion not expressed in the previous movement. It’s eased a bit by bright and gentle melodies, but comes back soon and dominates the mood of this movement. The ending of the 3rd movement is graceful and poetic, yet the tragic feelings are prolonged.



I got a strong feeling that Brahms is a man with romanticism rooted in his personality, as in numerous paragraphs in his works I sensed grace and lyricism underlying the music which really catch people’s emotions. And yet he had rigorous ways to develop themes, and inherited classical symphony form and structure. He was a synthesis of romantic nature and the spirit of the classical, in which way he shares many characteristics with his predecessor Beethoven.

The sound was just wonderful, combined with the acoustics of the concert hall. The solo parts of flute, oboe and horn were extraordinary throughout the performance. In fact, the players of woodwinds and brass were asked to stand up and receive a hall of applause. I was sitting on the balcony, and it still sounds so great. I can’t imagine how fantastic the sound would be down the floor. Many thanks to UMS for everything they’ve done to make all these happen. It feels so good when your dream come true!

By Allen Wang,
UMS Student Committee Member

Danke schön, Berliner Philharmoniker!

It seems like so many of this year's concerts at UMS have been "the best concert I've ever seen" - Alisa Weilerstein & Inon Barnaton, Stile Antico, Belcea Quartet, St. Lawrence Quartet...so in that sense, the Berliner Philharmoniker was just another day at the office.



But in another, more important sense, it was completely different from almost any other orchestral concert I've ever attended. Everyone onstage, from the concertmaster to the percussionist whose only task was to play the triangle in the 3rd movement of Brahms 4, gave 110% throughout the entire concert. These are musicians at the peak of their abilities, doing what they love. I couldn't imagine anything more beautiful than the cello opening of the 3rd movement of Brahms 3...until the oboe started playing. Instrument after instrument came in, each with their own uniquely beautiful sounds. It was such a colorful performance - all the differences of the orchestra came through, with each player playing the most he or she could offer on the instrument. At the end of the 3rd symphony, I felt as if I had emerged from a completely different world.

Danke schön, Berliner Philharmoniker!

By: Paula Muldoon
UMS Marketing Intern