Kirill Petrenko on Zoom: We thought you didn’t need us any more

The Berlin Philharmonic music director has relaxed his no-interview rule to appear on Zoom in an impromptu press conference with selected US media, ahead of the orchestra’s imminent tour, after a very long absence.

Here are some choice quotes:
‘We all were very destroyed because at a certain point (during Covid) we thought no one needs us anymore. Their life goes on. The concert halls are closed. The theaters are closed. Some people are making their jobs, but we are sitting at home.’

‘Then we understand one more time a little bit what our profession is about, because of communication. It’s not just music-making, it’s music-making in front of someone or for someone or to provide our knowledge but also to change someone who is in this room right now, This is what was missing so much.’

‘The Berlin Philharmonic is the most special orchestra in the world. It takes a little time for a conductor to transform such an orchestra sound-wise to what a conductor is imagining. The Berlin Philharmonic first of all always should sound like the Berlin Philharmonic. I don’t want to break some traditions. Some natural sounds just come out of this orchestra. I would like have, so to say, my stamp on it. And it is first of all based on a beautiful, huge and transparent string sound.’

‘The Berlin Philharmonic is the most special orchestra in the world. It takes a little time for a conductor to transform such an orchestra sound-wise to what a conductor is imagining. The Berlin Philharmonic first of all always should sound like the Berlin Philharmonic. I don’t want to break some traditions. Some natural sounds just come out of this orchestra. I would like have, so to say, my stamp on it. And it is first of all based on a beautiful, huge and transparent string sound.’

Also sprach der Sphinx.