Berlin Philharmonic seeks extra public funding

While Simon Rattle and the players are basking in London adulation, the Berlin Phil’s general manager Martin Hoffmann is demanding an increase in the funding the orchestra receives from the city/state of Berlin.

Hoffmann told Handelsblatt that the annual grant of 14 million Euros (US16 million) has scarcely changed in 13 years and all possible savings in the organisation have been exhausted. He has written to the new mayor, Michael Müller (SPD), and says: ‘I am confident he knows the global importance of the Philharmonic and its unbelievable publicity value (for Berlin).’

Hoffmann also dropped a thick hint about the future, saying ‘Simon Rattle’s successor has already played with us.’  Surprise, surprise.