John Williams & Berliner Philharmoniker 14th/15th/16th Oct 2021

[Marian Schedenig 8,172]

6 hours ago, Henry Sítrónu said:

I got James Horner's autograph 2013 in Vienna. Felt awful afterwards. Still do. Seems like such a waste to spend this tiny amount of time that you get to spend with your hero(s) watching them to write their name on something....

 

That was poorly organised. During their first years, Hollywood in Vienna was very informal, and if you happened to attend the rehearsals or the symposium, you just went up to the composers (if they weren't busy) and asked them for an autograph. I got Randy Newman's autographs right there in the rehearsal hall (and it was probably the funniest "star moment" I have experienced, not so much my autograph but that of the guy after me). With Horner, possibly because they knew he was rather on the introvert side (and I'm sure at least partially because they had their own plans and wanted Horner to follow them), they were surprised when after the Horner interview session, there was a crowd of people outside asking for his autograph. Horner was more than happy to sign anything they gave him, but the organisers soon carted him off to whatever they'd planned next. I was lucky to have been hired by Thor to shoot photos of his interview with Horner the next day, so I got a chance to get my copy of Sneakers signed after that. Since then, they've had official signing tables & queues, and only for those who attended (and paid for) the sympoisum, and even then I think they cut them short if they took more time than they had planned for.

[crlbrg 381]

On 21/09/2021 at 8:01 AM, heritage said:

@Carlborg: I´am in the Motel One at Potsdamer Platz. I think thats the best choice for hotel near the philhramonic. You have a short walk und the hotel is not expensive (around 93 Euro for Single Room for one night). And you can cancel the Hotel for free if the concert will be cancelled. 

 

On 21/09/2021 at 9:51 AM, St0rMl0rD said:

I booked the Motel One at Alexanderplatz

 

On 21/09/2021 at 10:12 AM, heritage said:

Motel One is always a good choice for a City trip. Alexanderplatz is further away from the philharmonic than the Potsdamer Platz. But its around 10 Euro per night cheaper...

 

Would the Motel One at Mitte option be a good choice too? Which location would be in a central location which is both close to the Philharmonie and the rest of the attractions in Berlin?

[Thor 7,463]

20 minutes ago, carlborg said:

Would the Motel One at Mitte option be a good choice too? Which location would be in a central location which is both close to the Philharmonie and the rest of the attractions in Berlin?

 

That's where I'm staying. There isn't really ONE central location in Berlin. It has many different central locations, so you need to get around with public transportation anyway (whether to the concert hall or other places). I've stayed many places in Berlin over the years, but never really close to Kreuzberg. So that's what I'm doing now, at Motel One Mitte.

 

I'm extremely busy these days, but I need to set aside time at some point to plan my stay. After all, it spiralled from being a quick stopover for the concert to a 5-day holiday. And since I've already seen and experienced most of what the city has to offer, I need to think creatively about how to fill the days. I will post in the "get-together" thread when I have my itinerary sorted out.

[crlbrg 381]

I think we'd better move this conversation to the meet-up thread so we don't invade the concert thread...I have a few more questions

[heritage 73]

@Carlborg: The best Option for the Philharmonic is the Motel one at Potsdamer Platz.  You have to walk around 1km to the philharmonic and you have a big U+S Station there. Thats around 100m to walk from the Hotel. Bus Station is also a short walk. From all that you can reach all famous things in Berlin. If you ask me i would prefer this Option over Alexanderplatz or Mitte.

 

[Thor 7,463]

43 minutes ago, heritage said:

@Carlborg: The best Option for the Philharmonic is the Motel one at Potsdamer Platz.  You have to walk around 1km to the philharmonic and you have a big U+S Station there. Thats around 100m to walk from the Hotel. Bus Station is also a short walk. From all that you can reach all famous things in Berlin. If you ask me i would prefer this Option over Alexanderplatz or Mitte.

 

 

Not sure why it's so important to live close to the Philharmonie. It's easy to get there by public transportation, and there's not much happening around there otherwise. I would recommend living near a more "happening" place instead. So Alexanderplatz and Mitte are actually much better options if you want to experience the Berlin feel a bit more.

[heritage 73]

@Thor: After the concert i want to walk to the hotel and not drive with Bus, U or S Train.  Thats the fact i prefer the MO Potsdamer Platz. And for sightseeing on day you reach all famous places via U or S train from Potsdamer Platz Station or by Bus. So why should Alexanderplatz or Mitte is a better option  I cannot understand that.

[Thor 7,463]

If you're a tourist from abroad, you might want to experience the city more. The area around the Philharmonie is a boring place. So to me, a good travel experience beats out the convenience of walking distance from the venue. But to each their own and all that.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

23 minutes ago, Thor said:

I would recommend living near a more "happening" place instead.

 

I prefer living a place where it's possible to get a good night's sleep.

[heritage 73]

Berlin Mitte is not really a Happening place  For good travel experience you need a good Bus, U + S train Station like Potsdamer Platz. Why ? Because Berlin has no typical City Centre. There are many areas with shops, Bars, Restaurants, Museums and so on. But thats my opinion and experience. Everybody can has another opinion. 

[Thor 7,463]

47 minutes ago, heritage said:

Berlin Mitte is not really a Happening place

 

No, but Kreuzberg is. The hotel in question is fairly close.

[heritage 73]

Kreuzberg ist not the savest place to be in the night. And on day  Second Hand Stores, a big turkish community with their Pubs and restaurants, street coffee shops, many students and some artists. Not a very nice area for me. In early days it was a social focal Point. Sure now it is better. Museum Island, Hackescher Markt, Reichstag, Brandenburger Tor, Fernsehturm, Unter den Linden, Gedächtniskirche  etc. are far away from Kreuzberg. Only the Jüdische Museum with Holocaust Monument and maybe check Point Charlie are near in the Region Kreuzberg...

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

Wow. I stayed in Kreuzberg area a week(since the Finnish musician union's residence is there) wonderful area and we felt very safe there. 

[heritage 73]

Everyone has his own opinion. Yours must not be mine 

Go in the evening or night to the Kottbuser Tor or Görlitzer Park. Then you will see what i mean 

[GerateWohl 4,326]

If you like to have that nostalgic 80s and early 90s experience of visiting a bar where you can hardly look two meters ahead because of all the cigarette smoke and next morning you smell like an ash tray, Kreuzberg is definitely the place to go.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

Ooh!

[heritage 73]

@GerateWohl: I´am out of this age  So i prefer not this scenario  And i don´t smoke, i hate the smoke smell 

[Nathan1425 3]

 

Hi everyone! What do you think, as it is not seen in the official program, will Mr Williams conduct the Star Wars Main Theme in one of the Encore? I would be a little sad if it will miss out  

[GerateWohl 4,326]

No, it wouldn't.

 

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

Don't be so categorical - there's nine different main titles to choose from!

[GerateWohl 4,326]

16 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Don't be so categorical - there's nine different main titles to choose from!

Ok. But I don't want to hear more than eight of them at the concert.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

10 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

Ok. But I don't want to hear more than eight of them at the concert.

 

With the 9th as an encore?

[GerateWohl 4,326]

1 minute ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

With the 9th as an encore?

Ok. 

[Steve 589]

Anne Sophie Mutter will make an appearance for the encores and play "Schindlers List" and "Nice to be around". That's my guess.

[heritage 73]

@Steve: I think ASM will be at the conerts. JW and ASM are best Friends. They appreciate each other. But whether she will play ? I don´t know but it can be. Theme from Schindlers List is also my favourite. It would be awsome when that happen..

[bollemanneke 3,337]

No one played it better than at the 2018 LSO concert, though. Mutter needs to tone the vibrato down.

[MaxTheHouseelf 324]

12 hours ago, Steve said:

Anne Sophie Mutter will make an appearance for the encores and play "Schindlers List" and "Nice to be around". That's my guess.

According to her website, looks like she travels to Germany after the Violinconcert with Williams on Oct 2 in Boston. Her next concert listed there is on 21 Oct in Regensburg (Germany). https://www.anne-sophie-mutter.de/konzerte/

Would be really nice, if she plays some of the encores.

[GerateWohl 4,326]

Anne Sophie Mutter is a classical music superstar. I can hardly believe that she will attend such concerts just out of nowhere without announcement. And if she did, it would possibly be just at one of the concerts, not on all three of them. Probably she and Williams rather meet for a cup of coffee in the afternoon than sharing the stage in the evening.

[Pawel P. 738]

Please no 'Nice to be Around' again. We already have the perfect live version from Vienna.

[Hugo 25]

Also she will be at the Carnegie hall next year. They probably thought Vienna was enough for now in Europe with the Across the Stars project.

 

But onestly who cares, it will be a beautiful show even without all the pieces arranged for her but with the setlist played by the 2nd orchestra in the world and "original" arrangement of them (read Superman...). Apart Schindler's List...or Rey's but these pieces could only be in the encores, we will see, not being in the playlist. I would like to ear the Imperial March in the encores.

[heritage 73]

@Hugo: 2nd Orchestra in the world ? Which is the first ?

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra. 

[Hugo 25]

@heritage...Wiener Philharmoniker

 

@Jurassic Shark Really? I remembered Vienna but just checked, yes, you are right. However all these in the top 10

 

 

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is often cited as the best orchestra in the world. But I bet they suck a film music.

[Hugo 25]

yep, it also depends on the kind of music. More classical,soundtrack,etc.

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

ASM in Berlin? Somebody must stop her sending those damn cookies to John!!!

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

4 hours ago, GerateWohl said:

Anne Sophie Mutter is a classical music superstar. I can hardly believe that she will attend such concerts just out of nowhere without announcement. And if she did, it would possibly be just at one of the concerts, not on all three of them. Probably she and Williams rather meet for a cup of coffee in the afternoon than sharing the stage in the evening.

 

Or in his royal suite...

[GerateWohl 4,326]

1 minute ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

Or in his royal suite...

Or both. They can do multi-tasking.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

So JW is the only man who's able to multitask.

[GerateWohl 4,326]

6 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

So JW is the only man who's able to multitask.

It's his superpower.

 

He gained it from an overdose of cookies.

[heritage 73]

I have never seen the Royal Concergebouw Orchestra. But on Sunday i will see the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra. Thats members of the string section from the RCO. I´am excited. But normally i see Berlin and Vienna over the RCO. Look at the events all over the world. When Berlin or Vienna are playing its often sold out. RCO has not that Standing as these two. Same with LSO, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston etc. All world class orchestras. But Berlin and Vienna stand out...

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

Remember to take population into account.

[heritage 73]

Is that a question of Population ?

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

I thought you implied that the RCO's concerts don't often sell out.

[heritage 73]

Sure thats no sign for the quality. But for the Standing of a orchestra. People look even more a Vienna or Berlin Philharmonic than a RCO. But beyond that i cannot see that the RCO plays better than Vienna or Berlin 

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

I'm wondering what's Germany's current policy regarding vaccines and testing:

• Mixing vaccines between shot 1 and 2: Is this now allowed for visitors? That is, Biontech/Pfizer in combination with Moderna?
• How many days must have passed since the 2nd shot to qualify as fully vaccinated?
• Do they require any test prior to boarding an airplane to Germany?

[GerateWohl 4,326]

The policy about vaccination just says, you have to be vaccinated twice. They don't really care, which vaccine or combination you are using. If you have proven recovered from COVID like me, you need just one shot of any COVID vaccine. But you need an evidence for recovery and vaccination.

 

I am not sure how it is in Norway. But within the EU you can get some kind of certificate of immunization and load it into your smartphone (if you have a Corona warn-App installed.

 

Here in Berlin since a week every public business or institution has the right to only grant access under 2G condition (recovered or fully vaccinated). Just testing (3G, genesen (recovered), geimpft (vaccinated), getestet (tested)) is then not allowed anymore. But this can be decided by each event organizer him or herself. Philharmonie requires 2G as far as I know.

 

You only have recovered status for half a year, no matter if you still have proven anti-bodies against CoViD.

In 2G locations the staff does not need to wear masks anymore, but customers still have to. In public transport it must be FFP2 masks, at Philharmonie as well. Anywhere else, just medical masks, as far as I know.

 

Children under the age of 12 can access 2G locations if they have a certificate of a negative test that is not older than 24 hours. Everyone else must be recovered (not longer than 6 Month ago) or vaccinated twice (since at least two weeks).

 

[MaxTheHouseelf 324]

14 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

Philharmonie requires 2G as far as I know.

It's still 3G, if the website is up to date: https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/concerts/visiting-information/

 

Quote

Admission to our concerts

To be admitted to our concerts, you will need the following documents – digitally or, if you prefer, as a printout:

• Your ticket.  Tickets will not be personalised, so you will need to register before entering via the Corona Warning app, the Luca app, or at our information desk. If digital registration is not an option, please use our visitor data form. You are welcome to fill it out in advance and bring it with you to the concert. 
• Your negative test result from the day of the event for an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (rapid antigen test or PCR test).
   
  • or proof of complete Covid 19 vaccination with a vaccine approved by the European Union (the last vaccination must have been given at least 14 days ago).
  • orproof of your recovery (positive PCR test result at least 28 days but no more than six months ago or, in the case of a more recent infection, in conjunction with at least one vaccination against Covid-19).
• Your photo ID

Please note our current hygiene regulations as well as the detailed questions and answers about attending the concert. Visitors who do not comply with the requirements, e.g. do not wish to wear an FFP2 mask without a valve, may be removed from the event. In such cases, there is no entitlement to a refund of the ticket price.

Our concerts take place subject to the respective authorisation. Should changes to the schedule, such as concert cancellations, be necessary due to other instructions from the Senate, we will of course refund the tickets purchased.

 

[GerateWohl 4,326]

Thanks for the correction @MaxTheHouseelf!

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

Thanks to both!