Simon Rattle conducts Berlin school orchestras
Many young musicians dream of having the chance to play once in their lives in the Philharmonie Berlin. For the participants of our School Orchestra Extravaganza, this is a dream that comes true. In November 2014, the programme included a very special repertoire: three film scores that probably everyone knows and which were rehearsed under the direction of chief conductor Sir Simon Rattle.
Elmer Bernstein’s The Magnificent Seven is followed by the adventures of Indiana Jones and finally, the science fiction tale of E.T., the extra-terrestrial. Led by members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, the various instrumental groups will work separately on this programme, which will then be rehearsed together on the big stage at the end – with chief conductor Sir Simon Rattle. It is particularly fascinating to hear the tips and linguistic images the conductor uses to inspire the young musicians – for example when he advises the brass players not to fall into an “Oktoberfest style”.
But this rehearsal with Simon Rattle is not the end of the extravaganza: Selected Berlin school orchestras then show their impressive skills. The finale is provided by our education programme’s Creative Orchestra whose members not only play film music, but have developed their own soundtracks – an always original and often tongue-in-cheek treatment of this fascinating genre.
The programme is presented by Sarah Willis, horn player of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and Malte Arkona, who is known among other things as a presenter on the German children’s TV channel, KiKa.
Members of Berlin school orchestras
Sir Simon Rattle
© 2014 Berlin Phil Media GmbH
