The concert of the Berlin Philharmonic bidding farewell to the old year promises both uplifting and light-hearted entertainment, featuring popular works performed by world-renowned musicians. A special occasion is guaranteed not only by the participating performers, but by the state-of-the-art technology permitting us, through the medium of live broadcast, to experience a wonderful concert on the highest artistic level as if we were actually there in the auditorium of the Berliner Philharmonie concert hall. Although rankings of orchestras are subjective by their nature, the ensemble led by Sir Simon Rattle since 2002 routinely finishes in the vanguard as one of the top three symphony orchestras in the world. No matter what it performs, the immaculate playing of the orchestra and the individual sections within it, the ethereal purity of its sound, and the natural qualities and perfect proportions that speak for themselves, never fail to entrance the audience. While we would gladly listen to this orchestra for eternity, on this occasion we must be content with an hour and a half of beautiful music. Lang Lang, a pianist of breathtaking virtuosity, will play Prokofiev’s graceful, classically modelled Piano Concerto No. 3, while the concert also features show-stopping, sparkling pieces – primarily from the East European repertoire – such as Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, Dvořák’s Symphonic Dances, Khachaturian’s energetic Sabre Dance and other heavenly melodies from the ballet Gayane, and the third movement of Hindemith’s Symphonic Dances. Presented by: Palace of Arts

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