Performer: Christian Schmitt

Auf den Spuren unerwarteter Verwandtschaft von Bruckner und Messiaen: Thomas Dausgaard und Christian Schmitt musizierten mit den Bamberger Symphonikern im Keilberth-Saal der Konzerthalle.

Zarter Gesang, behagliches Orgelspiel und ein perkussives Orchester, all das bot dieser Abend mit den Bamberger Symphonikern in Berlin.

The Singverein and Akademieorchester were joined by Swedish soprano Malin Hartelius and Florian Boesch for Brahms' German Requiem.

The Berliner Philharmoniker may be the world’s business-savviest orchestra. From the handsome program booklets printed on thick, color-rich stock (3€ instead of the customary 2€), to the Sony-sponsored Digital Concert Hall (where one can buy “tickets” to access past and present BP videos), even down to the gold trim on my ticket, this orchestra amply demonstrates its awareness of its reputation as

The WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln put its fate in the hands of the younger generation for this evening’s concert. Conductor Kazuki Yamada is only 34. The original violin soloist was to have been Lisa Batiashvili, but she pulled out and was replaced by the 22-year-old Serge Zimmermann.