Tour of Asia 2023

Behind the music: the taiko master

Gymnastics, cardiovascular exercises and marathon training - to control the Japanese taiko, the drummers have to be extremely fit. Timpanists Wieland Welzel and Vincent Vogel visited taiko master Eitetsu Hayashi during our tour of Asia and learnt a few tricks from him.

The concerts at Suntory Hall

The Berliner Philharmoniker has already been to Tokyo more than 20 times, and Suntory Hall in particular has become a second home for the orchestra. See the highlights from five concert evenings in our picture gallery.

Liveticker: Be Phil Orchestra Japan

On 22 November, the Be Phil Orchestra Japan will start rehearsals for the big final concert on 26 November at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Follow the project here on the blog in our exclusive live ticker.

Homeward bound

While we are on our way back home, we look back on our travels by bus, train and plane on this tour of Asia.

Backstage @Suntory Hall

The backstage area is occasionally chaotic, generally quite crowded and always worth a few photos. Here are our favourite impressions from Suntory Hall.

Behind the music: Daishin Kashimoto

What exactly does a first concertmaster do? In the video, Daishin Kashimoto talks about his work and also explains how his Japanese upbringing helps him.

A second home in Japan

Suntory Hall in Tokyo is the younger sister of the Philharmonie Berlin. We take a look at the history of the concert hall where the “sound falls like sunbeams on all the seats”.

Q&A and clarinet quintet

Japanese youngsters got to hear a masterpiece of chamber music at the school concert of 23 November.

Behind the scenes

Flying hammers, happy fans and special views: backstage at the concert in Kawasaki.

Travelling in Japan

The first week in Japan flew by with concerts in Nagoya, Himeji and Osaka - and a day off. On the road with the Berliner Philharmoniker.

A great love

The Berliner Philharmoniker first traveled to Japan with Herbert von Karajan in 1957. We look back on decades of friendship with our local audiences.

It’s nice in Berlin, too

Violinist Alessandro Cappone has been a member of the Berliner Philharmoniker since 1980. This tour is set to be his last. In this interview, he shares many fond memories with us.

About Be Phil Orchestra Japan

An absolute favourite project of the Berliner Philharmoniker is going on tour for the first time this year: the Be Phil Orchestra!

Japan again at last

The Berliner Philharmoniker have landed in Takamatsu and have finally returned to Japan since 2019.

Behind the music: Seong-Jin Cho

Pianist Seong-Jin Cho accompanies us on this tour of Asia to Seoul. In our video he talks to us about the inseparable connection between fine art and classical music and tells us how a “slightly talented” little boy became an acclaimed pianist.

What a start!

The 2023 Asian tour begins with two concerts in South Korea: enthusiastic fans, enthusiastic musicians, a wonderful start.

Arriving in Seoul

Start of the tour and the first day off. First impressions.

The Asian tour in a nutshell

Figures, data, facts and everything you need to know about this year's tour in South Korea and Japan.

In conversation: Kirill Petrenko

The programme for this tour also includes Alban Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra. The chief conductor gives insights into the work, which is both innovative and touching.

Anticipation

What are the musicians of the Berliner Philharmoniker looking forward to the most just days before this year's tour of Asia?