In rehearsal: Simon Rattle conducts 6 Berlin school orchestras

The School Orchestra Extravaganzas of the Berliner Philharmoniker's education programme are always a big event, and this year's meeting in February was no different. Six Berlin school orchestras had rehearsed excerpts from Grieg's Peer Gynt suites for the big day under the guidance of members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and the conductor of the public performance in the Philharmonie was none other than Sir Simon Rattle.

Sie sind immer ein großes Fest: Die Schulorchestertreffen des Education-Programms der Berliner Philharmoniker. So war es auch im Februar 2013. Sechs Berliner Schulorchester hatten sich unter Anleitung von Musikern der Berliner Philharmoniker auf den großen Tag vorbereitet und Auszüge aus Griegs Peer Gynt-Suiten einstudiert. Dirigent der öffentlichen Aufführung in der Philharmonie war kein geringerer als Sir Simon Rattle.

The Berliner Philharmoniker's Digital Concert Hall:

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[dog]

Now i get the importance of the man wielding the stick

[stuffbuddy]

I love how he transitions between crazy German man and a polished English accent

[Schurfable]

I have to respect someone who can be so concise, and give so much criticism, without sounding like a jerk. It's a true art

[evorock]

I had the luxury of working with Sir Simon, when I was in National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, during the proms season and he was such a nice guy, but he would come down hard if we messed around too much. Thing is he KNEW what we were like as he used to play Timpani there many years ago, so he understood what it was like from our point of view. He even complimented me on my violin playing during the interval.

My head couldn't fit out of the door after that

[Spock]

I don´t even know how i got here aber es war ein fantastisch orchester.

[tangmaster]

Percussionist shows up in a t shirt. The greatest.

[faa]

I knew he meant business when I saw his hairstyle!

[americanroger]

I never understood why u needed "That one person moving their hands" in front of an orchestra... Now I do damn he so important

[davidwright]

I love watching rehearsals. It's fascinating how accurately the conductor's vision is communicated using what seem to be very imprecise, 'non-technical' means. At one point, Rattle practically says, 'Less tea with the Queen, more Darth Vader.' And gets his point across! Wonderful, on both sides of the podium. Thanks!

[CevinChurch]

This makes me want to abandon my medical studies and start playing in an orchestra. Or just turn back time and force my young self to study an instrument.

[baumkuchen]

00:00 AM and I am watching fancy haired dude conducting bunch of children.... This will be a funny night.

[Rombizio]

Dozens of young beautiful people with lots of talent learning from a Master. This is what culture looks like.

[drethomas]

The fact he can take this orchestra which sounds pretty good for kids and make it sound even better is amazing.

[tomasgonda]

Me, a pianist: "That looks amazing, playing with so many musicians..."

[wilsonnkwan]

6 orchestras, yet the sound is quite clean, not bad, not bad at all.

[Praptolium]

I wish I could have had an experience like this when I was at school...

[bhelliom]

“It should sound like bad weather, ” and “Ugly… but perfect, ” were my two fav bits of instruction. It’s so interesting to me how this piece needs to be so tight but not sound too clean to give the right affect.

[SRKSEP]

This is true leadership telling them gently with a smiling face and extract what he wants
Amazing.... progression

[johnhunter]

Most of my conducting career has been working with amateur or semi-pro players, and I can tell you...it can be a real challenge to get what you want expressed by the orchestra. But how rewarding it is when they "get it." Then they can turn out a performance that approaches what the real pros can sometimes it almost brings tears to my eyes when they break free and really sing!

[mrpankau]

What a lovely man. The world is a better place with his presence.