The Berlin Concert House (Konzerthaus) is located in Mitte, at the historic beautiful square Gendarmenmarkt and is flanked in perfect symmetry by the French Cathedral (Französischer Dom) and the German Cathedral (Deutscher Dom).

First, I had on Saturday at 1 o’clock a guided tour though the Konzerthaus and in the evening a concert. The tour is organized in English and German and costs 3 euro, and could be organized also in French.

We learned in the tour that the neo-classical building was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel between 1818 and 1821. Originally, the building was opened as a theater. It was destroyed in the Second world war and completely rebuild. Today is home of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, but offers a diverse musical program, from classical to contemporary music.

During the visit we saw the main auditorium – Grand Hall (Großer Saal), Apollo Hall, Small Hall, modern Werner – Otto Hall with amazing acoustics and the music club. The Great Hall is the most grandiose, with details in gold, ad it can be seen in the pictures, with 14 bright chandeliers and around 1700 seats. Espresso concerts at 14 o’clock in Kleiner Saal are a good idea for the lunch break.

---

My dear memory is the concert I attended of the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra, tonight, the 14th of February 2020 in Grosser Saal. The concert was conducted by Marek Pijarowski and had Rafal Blechacs at the Piano. With the kind support of the Embassy of the Poland and the Polish Institute Berlin.

Program:

• Roman Palester – Polish Wedding dances from the ballet “Song of the Earth”
• Alexandre Tansman – Symphony No. 3 (for violin, viola, cello, piano and orchestra)
• Fryderyk Chopin – Concerto for piano and orchestra in E minor, op 11.