Presto Music Classical Podcast,
Episode 49: Berliner Philharmoniker's Olaf Maninger talks to Rob Cowan about this year's double anniversary
This year the Berliner Philharmoniker celebrates two anniversaries: the online Digital Concert Hall has turned 15, and the Berliner Philharmoniker label marks its first decade. Rob Cowan spoke to Olaf Maninger, who alongside a busy schedule as principal cellist with the orchestra, is General Manager of Berlin Phil Media GmbH, and has been one of the key figures driving these innovative projects. Olaf reflects on the first release for the label, Sir Simon Rattle conducting the complete Schumann symphonies, and the attention to detail that goes into each new project.
Be sure to explore our Berliner Philharmoniker special offer - up to 20% off CD, SACD, DVD, Blu-ray, vinyl and downloads until 17th July here.
Some of the recordings mentioned in this episode...
Simon Rattle conducts Schumann’s Symphonies
Recorded live at the Berlin Philharmonie in February und November 2013
For Simon Rattle, Robert Schumann is "the echt Romantic". And in fact, the exuberance of the period, its passion and its melancholy can be heard with unique intensity in Schumann's music to this day. For the Berliner Philharmoniker, Schumann's symphonies have always been part of their core repertoire. The 1953 Wilhelm Furtwängler recording in particular has attained cult status. And so it only stands to reason that the Berliner Philharmoniker launched their Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings label with a cycle of the four Schumann symphonies. [b]Please Note: JAPAN, CHINA & HONG KONG - For contractual reasons, we have been asked not to sell this product to customers in Japan, China and Hong Kong. We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience caused.[/b]
Available Formats: 2 SACDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Bonus feature includes introduction by Simon Halsey, and Sir Simon Rattle and Peter Sellars in conversation. Recorded live at the Berlin Philharmonie in February/March 2014
Available Format: 2 DVD Videos + Blu-ray
The edition contains recordings that were made during the coronavirus pandemic, on two CDs and one Blu-ray. They are accompanied by a film interview with Kirill Petrenko and insightful texts on Shostakovich’s works. The edition was designed by the artist Thomas Demand. His photographs symbolize the tense atmosphere in which Shostakovich composed his works: outside, the oppressively uniform row of steel lockers, inside, photos of flowers from Moscow’s Gorky Park.
Available Format: 2 CDs + Blu-ray
Rob Cowan
