As part of the Friends of the Berliner Philharmoniker e. V.’s 75th birthday matinee on 10 November 2024, there will be a unique auction where you can bid on exclusive activities with members of the orchestra. The Berliner Philharmoniker have put together 15 offers. Treat yourself – or bid for a great gift for your loved ones!
If you are unable to attend in person on 10 November, please send your maximum bid for your desired campaign by 1 November by e-mail to freunde@berliner-philharmoniker.de – we will be happy to get in touch with you.
The auction offers
1st lesson with the solo flutist Emmanuel Pahud
2nd lesson with first solo cellist Ludwig Quandt
3rd lesson on the violin or viola with Martin Stegner
Learn from the best: Emmanuel Pahud, Ludwig Quandt and Martin Stegner will show you what is important when playing the flute, violin, viola or cello and give you important tips on the way to mastery.
Each for one person, max. 60 minutes, appointment by arrangement
4. Chamber music and coaching with Philipp Bohnen
Do you play in a string quartet or string trio yourself? And would you and your ensemble like to be coached by a Berliner Philharmoniker? Philipp Bohnen, leader of the Varian Fry Quartet, makes it possible for you.
For a string ensemble, max. 3 hours, appointment by arrangement
5. House concert with the Philharmonia Duo
Berliner Philharmoniker cellist David Riniker and double bassist Janusz Widzyk come to your home and give an exclusive concert for you and your guests: with well-known works that they have arranged for their instruments and real discoveries. You will be amazed!
Concert duration approx. 60 minutes, appointment by arrangement
6. Rehearsal visit to the Varian Fry Quartet
How is the perfect concert created? The Varian Fry Quartet with violinists Philipp Bohnen and Christoph von der Nahmer, violist Martin von der Nahmer and cellist Knut Weber will give you a glimpse into their workshop during a rehearsal visit and answer your questions.
For max. 10 people, appointment by arrangement
7. Exclusive tour of the video studio in the Philharmonie
For all technology fans: the Berliner Philharmoniker have state-of-the-art video and recording studios to produce their concerts for the Digital Concert Hall and for release on the Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings label. You can bid for a guided tour with solo cellist Olaf Maninger, who is also Managing Director of Berlin Phil Media GmbH. And at the same time you will experience the recording of a dress rehearsal.
For two people
8. Visit to the New Year’s Eve concert with an exclusive introduction by Artistic Director Andrea Zietzschmann
Star pianist Daniil Trifonov plays Brahms‘ dreaded Second Piano Concerto, Kirill Petrenko and the Berliner Philharmoniker ensure a lively turn of the year with waltzes from Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier. Two tickets in the sold-out best category and an exclusive concert introduction as well as a drink to toast with Artistic Director Andrea Zietzschmann await you with this offer.
31.12.24, introduction 5 pm, concert starts at 5.30 pm
For two people
9. Exclusive guided tour of the Philharmonie with roof ascent
The roof of the Philharmonie is reminiscent of a tent or an alpine mountain peak – but you can also climb it! Kai Mielisch, head of event technology at the Philharmonie, and violist Martin Stegner are your mountain guides and will give you exclusive insights into areas that are otherwise never open to the public.
For max. six people, approx. 60 minutes, good surefootedness and sturdy footwear required; appointment by arrangement
10. Exclusive guided tour with Raphael Haeger through the percussion depot incl. demonstration and trying out the instruments
Philharmonic percussionist Raphael Haeger has a whole arsenal of instruments at his disposal: Drums and triangle, marimba and xylophone, cymbals, bells and jingles. Many of the instruments are unique and can only be found in the Berliner Philharmoniker. On this tour, you can also drum the bongos yourself, set the lion’s roar in motion or let the siren wail.
for max. four people, approx. 60 minutes; appointment by arrangement
11. A dinner with fine wines. Hosts: Stefan Dohr and Eva-Maria Tomasi
Stefan Dohr is not only one of the world's best horn players – he also knows a thing or two about savoir-vivre. For our auction, the enthusiastic amateur chef is offering a dinner together with his fellow board member Eva-Maria Tomasi, naturally with a tasting of fine wines.
for a maximum of four people at Stefan Dohr in Kreuzberg; appointment by arrangement
12. Skat evening with Walter Küssner
Skat is more than just a game: you have to think strategically and calculate probabilities, but also bluff and speculate. The skat player Walter Küssner knows all this very well – and invites you to the table. As a proven expert on the Berliner Philharmoniker’s archives and the history of the orchestra, he also knows how to entertain with many stories and anecdotes.
for max. three people, appointment by arrangement
13th bike or racing bike tour with Christoph Hartmann
The oboist Christoph Hartmann is also a passionate cyclist. He has even created his own brand of bike, named after the composer Pasculli. Swing into the saddle with him saddle with him!
for max. two people, up to 6 hours; route, date and length by arrangement
14. Photographic artwork by Michael Wesely
The internationally acclaimed photo artist Michael Wesely created his portrait of the Berliner Philharmoniker during a performance of Béla Bartók’s The Woodcarved Prince in 2010 – it is on display in the foyer of the Philharmonie. For this auction, he has created a second, smaller copy, which you can bid for (InkJetPrint, 80 x 160 cm, metal frame).
15. Conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker …
...who hasn’t dreamed of it? If you win the bid here, this dream will come true: a member of the orchestra will coach you in advance and then you will be allowed to conduct the Philharmoniker for ten minutes before a rehearsal. If you add a little more to your auction bid, you will also receive a video recording of your performance for private use (no use on social media).