(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Beethoven’s symphonies in Taiwan and Japan
The Taiwanese and Japanese classical music fans also enjoyed the Beethoven symphonies previously performed in Berlin, Paris and New York by the Berliner Philharmoniker and Simon Rattle. The concerts in Taipei and Tokyo were rapturously received.(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Our home away from home: Suntory Hall
Walter Seyfarth in front of Suntory Hall
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
(Photo: Andreas Knapp)
A full page in the Asahi newspaper! Yoshio Takenaka, president of King Records, and Kazuko Kurahara
Peter Brem
Kazuko Kurahara, Robert Zimmermann, Fergus McWilliam and Yoshio Takenaka
Kazuko Kurahara, Fergus McWilliam, Peter Brem and Takayoshi Kidokoro from BerlinPhilMedia
Stanley Dodds
Sound engineer Christoph Franke talks to the press
Kazuko Kurahara, our good friend and translator, and Robert Zimmermann
Walter Seyfarth, clarinet, in the Beethoven documentary
Kazuko Kurahara and Stanley Dodds
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Martin Hoffmann, General Manager, Stanley Dodds, Media Board and 2nd violin, Sir Simon Rattle, Robert Zimmermann from BerlinPhilMedia
Sir Simon Rattle in Japanese
Martin Hoffmann in Japanese
(Photo: Markus Weidmann)
Squirrel studies by Markus Weidmann
A proud Jesper Busk Sorensen, trombone, greeted by the fans
Sir Simon Rattle and Ulrich Knörzer
Cornelia Gartemann, 2nd violin, and Helena Madoka Berg, 1st violin, catch a glimpse outdoors
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Cornelia Gartemann
Stanley Dodds
Bettina Sartorius
Section leaders Thomas Timm and Christophe Horak
Dietmar Schwalke, cello
Matthew McDonald, 1st principal double bass
Sir Simon and Stefan Schweigert, solo bassoon
Romano Tommasini, 2nd violin, and Guillaume Jehl, trumpet, talking about Romano's violin
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Every time again: Unbelievable!
Ulrich Knörzer, the only member of the orchestra, who speaks a bit of Mandarin, greets the crowd
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Jesper Busk Sørensen and Thomas Leyendecker, trombone
Stagehand Michael Frohloff and Mor Biron, bassoon
Wieland Welzel, timpani
by Monika Rittershaus
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Violas and Celli
Soloists Ivona Sobotka, soprano, Eva Vogel, mezzospoprano, Christian Elsner, tenor, and Dimitry Ivashchenko, bass, with the Taiwan National Chorus and the BBC Singers
Cornelia Gartemann, 2nd violin
Matthew Hunter, viola
Ulrich Wolff, double bass
Thomas Timm, leader 2nd violin
Christophe Horak, leader 2nd violin
Andrej Zust, french horn
Sir Simon Rattle talking to our orchestra production manager Robert Buchwald
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Sir Simon Rattle at the choir rehearsal
Beethoven in Mandarin part 1...
...and part 2
Find the conductor...
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Selfie time with Stefan Schweigert and Raphael Haeger
Better study the map, before starting the hike... Stefan Schweigert and percussionist Raphael Haeger at the Maokong
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Solo bassoon Stefan Schweigert enjoys freshly brewed green tea from the area
An old lady selling green tea ice
Tea plantation with temples
Cable car to the Maokong
The Taipei 101 seen from Maokong
Maokong seen from the Taipei 101
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Sir Simon meets Mr. Niu from MNA, Mr. Mayer from Mercedes Benz and Mr. Lin from Taishin Financial Holding
TV questions
From old vinyl...
... to old whisky.
Ulrich Knörzer delivered part of his speech in Mandarin
Birthday boy and Media board member Stanley Dodds
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus)
Celli waiting for their breakfast
(Photo: Stefan Stahnke)
In the background the Japanese Air Forces 1 and 2, President Abe just visits Germany, while we visit our second home in Tokyo.