The open question
Why does part of the audience sit behind the orchestra?

In this section, we answer questions you’ve always wanted to ask the Berliner Philharmoniker – about what happens on stage, behind the scenes, or about the orchestra in general.

At the Philharmonie Berlin, there are two different ways to sit “behind the orchestra.” The hall’s architect, Hans Scharoun, designed the concert space around the idea of placing music at the spatial and visual centre. “It’s certainly no coincidence,” he observed, “that people – now as ever – instinctively form a circle when music is played spontaneously.” From this observation, he developed a radically new concert hall concept – unlike the traditional “shoebox” layout, in which orchestra and audience are strictly separated and face each other. In the Philharmonie, the orchestra sits at the centre, surrounded by the audience on terraced seating that rises in vineyard-like formations. This allows for entirely new perspectives of the musicians and conductor. Audience members in sections H and K may see the orchestra from behind, but they face the conductor directly and can closely observe facial expressions and gestures.

Even closer to the action are the podium seats, located directly behind the orchestra. These are more affordable, as they are simply benches. However, they are only available when a concert is sold out and the stage space isn’t needed for a choir – which would otherwise use those benches – or for large instruments. Many people love these seats because they create the feeling of being part of the orchestra – even during the applause!