Berlin Philharmonic facts for kids
The Berlin Philharmonic (in German: Die Berliner Philharmoniker) is a famous orchestra from Berlin, Germany. Many people think it is one of the best orchestras in the world. Its main conductor is Sir Simon Rattle.
History of the Orchestra
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra started in Berlin in the spring of 1882. By 1887, they were known by their current name. That year, Hans von Bülow became their conductor. He helped them become a world-class orchestra.
Other great conductors were also invited to lead the orchestra. These included Hans Richter, Felix von Weingartner, Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, Johannes Brahms, and Edvard Grieg.
In 1895, Arthur Nikisch became the chief conductor. Later, in 1923, Wilhelm Furtwängler took over. The orchestra kept performing even during World War II. After Furtwängler left for Switzerland in 1945, Leo Borchard became the chief conductor. Sadly, his time was very short.
Sergiu Celibidache then led the orchestra for seven years, from 1945 to 1952. Furtwängler returned in 1952 and conducted until he passed away in 1954.
Herbert von Karajan led the orchestra from 1955 until he left in April 1989. He was a very strict conductor. The orchestra made many famous recordings with him.
After Karajan, Claudio Abbado became the main conductor. He encouraged the orchestra to play new kinds of music. They performed not just well-known classical and romantic pieces. They also played more modern 20th-century works. He stopped conducting the Berlin Philharmonic in 2002. Around that time, Germany was reuniting, and the orchestra faced money problems.
In June 1999, the musicians chose Sir Simon Rattle as their next chief conductor. Rattle made the orchestra a self-governing group. This meant they could make their own money decisions. They also chose which music to play and who to invite to perform with them.
The orchestra's first concert hall was destroyed during WWII in 1944. Since 1963, they have played in a new concert hall called the Philharmonie. On May 20, 2008, a fire broke out at the Philharmonie. A part of the roof was damaged. The orchestra could not play there for a while.
The orchestra has won many awards for their amazing performances.
UNICEF named the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle as Goodwill Ambassadors in November 2007. This means they help promote UNICEF's work.
On December 18, 2008, the Orchestra announced a Digital Concert Hall. This new online platform lets music fans worldwide watch and listen to the Philharmonic’s concerts. You can watch them live or whenever you want.
Principal Conductors
- Ludwig von Brenner (1882-1887)
- Hans von Bülow (1887-1892)
- Arthur Nikisch (1895-1922)
- Wilhelm Furtwängler (1922-1945)
- Leo Borchard (May-August 1945)
- Sergiu Celibidache (1945-1952)
- Wilhelm Furtwängler (1952-1954)
- Herbert von Karajan (1954-1989)
- Claudio Abbado (1989-2002)
- Simon Rattle (2002-present)
Images for kids
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Waldbühne, site of an annual summer concert
See also
In Spanish: Orquesta Filarmónica de Berlín para niños
