The Berlin Philharmonic has agreed to allow live transmission of the two performances it is scheduled to give Nov. 18 and 19 at the National Theater and Concert Hall in Taipei, concert organizer Management of New Art said Nov. 7.
The broadcasts, which will be shown at six venues located in four cities—Hsinchu, Hualien, Taichung and Taipei—in Taiwan, will be watched by an estimated 70,000 music lovers.
The performances will be shown live on the Internet. It is the first time that the internationally renowned orchestra has ever agreed to allow a live webcast of a performance recorded outside of the Philharmonie in Berlin.
To ensure the highest quality possible, the orchestra’s own Digital Concert Hall recording team will manage the internet broadcast, MNA added.
The Berlin Philharmonic first performed in Taiwan in 2005, where their concerts were also broadcast live to an audience seated at the square in front of the National Theater and Concert Hall.
“The live transmissions in 2005 were extremely successful, with more than 30,000 people watching the performances,” said MNA Art Director Niu Hsiao-hua, who added that the orchestra’s principal conductor Simon Rattle was extremely moved by the reception.
“The phenomenal success and quality of live event, along with audience enthusiasm, led to the German orchestra’s willingness for a second visit this year,” he said.
During its upcoming visit, Rattle and the orchestra will perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9, Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso and a new piece, Toshio Hosokawa’s Horn Concerto.
According to MNA, live sound reinforcement systems suitable for arenas and stadiums, high-definition projectors, fiber transmission equipment and 9-by-16-meter wide large screens at all six venues will be in place to ensure the best visual and audio quality.
It added that technicians from both Germany and Taiwan have repeatedly checked the systems for them to deliver the best in clarity and precision.
“Those who attend the live broadcast concerts will feel like they are sitting close to the front seats inside the capital city’s top venue,” Niu said. (PCT-HZW)