Monday, 17 March 2025 - Hamburg
Cheers for Paavo Järvi, for soloist Víkingur Ólafsson and for the orchestra: the opening concert of the current tour at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg was a resounding success. Michaela Braun, Head of Marketing and Communication, was there - and tells us here what happened on and off stage.
Water, not vodka
Hamburg again and again, the fourth time we've played here since this fantastic concert hall, or rather this unique venue, opened in 2017. The Elbphilharmonie continues to fascinate; it feels like a place of pilgrimage at any time of day or evening. Thousands of visitors come to the plaza every day. Concert tickets are selling like hot cakes and our two concerts have also been sold out for weeks. At the first concert, we meet our sponsor LGT Private Banking, who have invited numerous clients.
Our first concert is moderated. We try to create proximity and present key works of classical music to beginners, says Burkhard Glashoff, Managing Director of Pro Arte; he does this five to six times a season. The concert prices are not adjusted downwards in order to increase interest, no, a concert has its value. Víkingur Ólafsson answered the questions on stage. After he made it clear that there was no vodka in his glass, only water, and explained why he doesn't play handball, the atmosphere was great after two encores.
On the second evening - with a thoroughly demanding programme of works by Lutosławski, Ligeti and Adams - the audience went wild with applause. Paavo Järvi, who is a frequent guest here, said that he had rarely experienced such frenetic cheering and standing ovations. In the meantime, Artistic Director Ilona Schmiel and Marc Barwisch, Head of Artistic Operations, have already finalised the next concerts in 2026. Both sides can be happy about that.
And what else in Hamburg?
Unlike many other German cities, Hamburg is in the fortunate position that at the end of last year, the city council approved the double budget for 2025 and 2026, with an increase of 11 per cent for culture. This means a great deal of planning security for cultural institutions.
The big topic at the moment is the construction of a new opera house, financed by private funds, in the booming Hafencity. Architecturally, of course, this building should also be outstanding and become another beacon of the city. Now all that remains is for the city council to approve the contract between the city and the patron.
