It’s hot here, graffiti is colorful and nobody wears tails. The musicians of the BR Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) populate new territory. In the middle of the container collective on the premises of the Werksviertel stands their experimental laboratory, painted in a trendy way, an old overseas container, one of 27. They now call it their “little home”. In this context, the violinists, horn players and co. look like easy-going young people – as if they belong right here. In the midst of them: Katja Wildermuth, the director of the Bayerischer Rundfunk and thus also responsible for the BRSO. Less than 80 meters as the crow flies from here, where the Ferris wheel is now, the hometown of the BRSO is to be built, the new concert hall. The concert hall that Prime Minister Markus Söder has just given a pause for thought.
SZ: Do you see the BRSO container in the Werksviertel as an outpost of the concert hall?
Katja Wildermuth: Well, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is anchoring its presence where the iconic concert hall is planned. We will be visible and tangible here from now on – in the middle of the future-oriented Werksviertel, between start-ups, high-tech, art and culture, crossover and leisure activities. An ideal location to appeal to all ages and social groups.
And what should that look like in practice?
Around the BRSO container there will always be concerts, artist talks, education workshops or exhibitions, an orchestra podcast. That is exactly the spirit of the new concert hall: encounters with people from all over Bavaria, interdisciplinary culture, media presence, a place of the future – and yes, also a very good venue.
You have no doubts that the concert hall will be built?
In our view, there is no reason to question the project. The decisive factor is that something really visionary can be created here – modern, digital, with international appeal. But above all: close to and networked with people, inviting and accessible. From my point of view, it is not about the decision for another auditorium, but about the decision for a real, cross-generational, sustainable project.
That doesn’t seem to have reached all Munich residents yet. We are still receiving letters that speak of the “glass coffin” for the “elite”, even if the facade material has long since been redesigned and “education” has been set as one of the most important goals.
A lively place for music education and the experience of music in all its diversity can be created, a real high-tech meeting place. And then there is also an architectural highlight in Bavaria’s state capital, which I am passionate about.
Why?
I also do this as a historian, because the most recent building that really made a name for itself in Munich is the Olympic Park – and it’s currently celebrating its 50th birthday. This closes the circle to the Werksviertel, this “very cool place”, as our BRSO concert master likes to call it.
Keyword Werksviertel: with all the love for experimentation – an old overseas container sounds like a lot of tin, acoustically it should be more of a kind of resonance catastrophe, right?
We equipped the container on a tight budget, but of course thought about the acoustics. With a few tricks such as carpets, curtains and soundproof walls, we have managed to create a space that is also suitable for small concerts, recordings, chamber music rehearsals or lessons. But the container is not supposed to serve as a “mini concert hall” at all, but primarily as a creative space for the orchestra’s activities and a reminder of the wonderful and so important power of culture, especially in these difficult times.
Have you confessed the whole thing to Simon Rattle yet?
Sure, and he was a supporter of the idea from the start and was very enthusiastic about it. He would have liked to come to the opening this Wednesday, but unfortunately he’s on tour.
If you were allowed to play in the BRSO yourself and you were given the necessary virtuosity at the moment – which instrument would you choose? Or would you prefer the baton?
A very charming idea, above all the miraculously gifted virtuosity – but in fact I’m happy to leave the stage to our professionals. Thankfully, we have world-class players in all orchestral positions. My favorite place is and remains in the ranks of the enchanted audience, full of admiration how the greatest of their respective fields respond to each other, play for each other and find their absolute top form together with the conductor.
Opening of the BRSO container with music and discussion, Wednesday, June 29, 6:30 p.m., Werksviertel-Mitte, Atelierstr. 4, in bad weather in the Tonhalle