#backinSalzburg – A look back at the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
3 Video Views·Apr 20, 2026
Music lovers rehearse and perform with the Berliner Philharmoniker. At the Easter Festival Salzburg, “Be Phil” returns once again. Amateur musicians from nine countries join forces to study Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante for winds and Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony with the orchestra. The final rehearsals and concert are led by Tugan Sokhiev, a highly valued partner of the Berliner Philharmoniker.
The fundamental idea of the B-Field Orchestra is that we bring our music and our way of playing to people.
who are enthusiastic about music and casually play their instrument at home as a hobby.
And that we once walk through such a concert program together, hand in hand.
When I saw this advertisement on Instagram, I thought to myself, oh my god, I want to do it.
Then I applied right away and spent a few weeks worrying, and then I received the offer.
I have high expectations because the Berlin Philharmonic is the greatest orchestra in the world.
And I'm a little afraid.
It will influence how I think about my games.
The first rehearsals are, so to speak, sectional rehearsals, where only the flutes, the violins, and the cellos come together.
And there's always a coach there who makes suggestions on how we should play it.
Play a bit slower to get it exactly right.
And then it doesn't sound slow, it sounds more together,
And it is more coordinated, with such precise sixteenth notes and very precise triplets.
And without footprints.
This project is so exciting.
When we did it in Japan, the atmosphere of the orchestra was like that of a youth orchestra.
but with adults and everyone was just so happy to be together.
I love being a part of it; I love the energy one can feel from the people.
And they are so happy to be here.
Then it continues to the full orchestra rehearsals, where the entire orchestra is assembled.
and one must integrate one's own voice into the overall picture.
Today was the first truly full rehearsal for this project.
We had colleagues from the Berlin Philharmonic who came for the rehearsal.
all those who have prepared these wonderful musicians.
We can call them musicians because they love music so much; they are musicians.
One who loves music and plays music can be called a musician.
It is very impressive, the level, the significance,
the level of enthusiasm they show, and how much music they want to make.
And it is no simple program.
Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante is very delicate.
It shows all imperfections; one must be rhythmic and technically proficient.
the fragile elements that have made them so wonderful today.
And then the Dvorák Symphony, which requires a kind of power of nature.
Both works are ideal for such a project.
The Mozart is particularly well suited because many of us can participate as soloists.
And with Dvorak, it's essentially a playable piece.
It's not about pushing the limits of playability.
And everyone has a lot to play.
The collaboration with laypeople is exciting because it's simply fun.
because everyone inspires someone in their own way.
Even laypeople through their manner of approaching music,
who is so different from ours from childhood.
I believe it is a kind of social obligation.
Today, more than ever perhaps than in the past, we have a responsibility,
that we maintain, that we leave the door open to our ivory tower for people.
I'm so proud of us, and at the same time so sad that it's over.
It is my life of long memory.