Programme

BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER
SIR SIMON RATTLE
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
Photo: Stephan Rabold
The Berliner Philharmoniker, founded in 1882 as a self-governing body,
has long been known as one of the world’s greatest orchestras. Sir Simon
Rattle has served as its Chief Conductor and Artistic Director since
September 2002.
In 1955 Herbert von Karajan became the orchestra’s music director. Under
his leadership, the orchestra developed the unique tonal quality and
performing style and achieved worldwide success with numerous tours
and award-winning recordings. From 1989 to 2002 principal conductor
Claudio Abbado explored new musical directions with the orchestra,
primarily through contemporary music, a chamber music series and
operas in concert performances. With Sir Simon Rattle’s appointment, the
Education Programme was initiated through which the orchestra is
now reaching an ever wider and younger audience. In recognition of this
commitment, the orchestra and Rattle were named UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassadors, the first time that distinction had ever been bestowed upon
an artistic ensemble.
The Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation enjoys the generous support of
Deutsche Bank, its principal sponsor. The sponsorship also enabled the
launch of the innovative Digital Concert Hall in 2009, which broadcasts
concerts live online. The orchestra launched its own record label, Berliner
Philharmoniker Recordings, in 2014.
Working with leading orchestras on both sides of the Atlantic, Sir Simon
Rattle’s extensive repertoire in concert and opera ranges from Baroque
to contemporary music. He had already collaborated with the Berliner
Philharmoniker for fifteen years before taking up his post as principal
conductor in 2002. He is also principal guest conductor of the Orchestra
of the Age of Enlightenment.
Born in Liverpool in 1955, Rattle studied at London’s Royal Academy
of Music and was twenty-five when he began his close association with
the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). As principal
conductor, artistic adviser and musical director, he helped turn them
into one of the world’s top-ranking orchestras.
His many accolades include a knighthood and appointment as Member
of the Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth II, the Spanish Premio Don
Juan de Borbón de la Música, the gold medal “Gloria Artis” from the
Polish Ministry of Culture, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of
Germany, induction into the Order of Knights of the French Legion of
Honour and the Léonie Sonning Music Prize from the Danish Léonie
Sonning Music Foundation.
In March 2015, he announced his appointment as Music Director of the
London Symphony Orchestra beginning in September 2017.
In June 2015, Russian-Austrian conductor Kirill Petrenko was elected
Chief Conductor Designate of the orchestra.
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