In front of the Broadcasting Council last week, BR director Katja Wildermuth called on the government coalition to tackle “the concert hall project with fresh enthusiasm” now that the election has been held. She did not want to comment on questions about what consequences it might have for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and its collaboration with conductor Sir Simon Rattle if the construction project in the Werksviertel fails. The star conductor and new head of the symphony orchestra had repeatedly called for the project to be implemented.
“We have not yet received a rejection from the Free State; rather, as far as we know, the planning and considerations are continuing to progress,” says Wildermuth. The BR is not the client, but they are bringing their “world-class ensemble plus the latest technology for digital mediation of high-quality cultural events” into the project.
Conductor Sir Simon Rattle.
(Photo: Alessandra Schellnegger)
Bavaria’s unique music and cultural scene “deserves a powerful decision.” Ultimately, according to Wildermuth, it is about a concert hall for all of Bavaria and a visible sign of music education as well as an architectural highlight for the cultural city of Munich. “Bavaria has unique opportunities with this project,” says the director. “Concerts, artist talks, educational workshops and exhibitions – all of this needs a place of the future: modern, digital, with international appeal.” Given the estimated cost increases Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) gave the project a pause for thought more than a year and a half ago prescribed, but the planning continued.