Pennsylvania orchestras took over Dresden early in the morning on September 2, when we crossed paths with the Pittsburgh Symphony. We are honored to have two world-class orchestras from the same home state, and to represent PA abroad once again. Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky poses with Pittsburgh Symphony President and CEO Melia P. Tourangeau. Thank you to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, whose generous support made these European tours possible. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Principal Timpani Don Liuzzi meets some old friends in the Pittsburgh Symphony. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Associate Principal Horn Jeffrey Lang poses with Pittsburgh horn player Zachary Smith. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The entire group before the Pittsburgh party boarded buses for their next stop. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The next hall the Orchestra performed in was the Kulturpalast (Palace of Culture) in Dresden, which was designed by Wolfgang Hänsch and opened in 1969. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Violinist Boris Balter and bass player Duane Rosengard take the short walk from their hotel to the hall. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The Kulturpalast just prior to letting the audience take their seats. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Horn player Ernesto Tovar Torres is ready for the concert. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The first half of the program featured Szymanowski’s First Violin Concerto and Chausson’s Poème, both performed by Lisa Batiashvili. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The percussion section is kept busy during the Szymanowski. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Trumpets and bassoons also play a major role. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Lisa, Yannick, and the Orchestra during a particularly poignant section of the Szymanowski. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
This concert was part of the Dresden Music Festival and drew a large crowd. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Cellists Robert Cafaro and Ohad Bar-David during the Chausson. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
There is clear chemistry and friendship between Lisa and Yannick, evident here as they take in the applause. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Lisa, with Yannick at the piano, performed Debussy’s “Beau Soir” as an encore. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 was played in the second half. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The flute and oboe sections (Olivia Staton, Principal Flute Jeffrey Khaner, Principal Oboe Philippe Tondre, and Jonathan Blumenfeld) shine in the Symphony. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Yannick lifts a bouquet given to him as a token of appreciation during the rousing round of applause. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Yannick celebrates the conclusion of another exhilarating and inspiring concert. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
In the age of COVID, we don’t want to emphasize how jam packed things are backstage. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., Executive Vice President Ryan Fleur (left) and Concertmaster David Kim (right) meet backstage with Consul General in Leipzig Ken Toko. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
On Saturday the Orchestra enjoyed a day off in Dresden. Principal Trumpet David Bilger couldn’t resist taking photos of some of the stunning architecture in the historic center of Dresden. It shows how beautifully, and faithfully, it was all rebuilt after the War.
Principal Harp Elizabeth Hainen (center), Principal Percussion Christopher Deviney (left), violin substitute Blake Espy, and violist Anna Marie Ahn Petersen on their way to view the Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland State Park. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Former Orchestra violist, and still occasional substitute, Jonathan Chu and his son on their way to see the Bastei Bridge. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Associate Principal Flute Patrick Williams and his wife, Yoori Kim, at a Bastei Bridge overlook. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The Bastei is a rock formation rising just shy of 650 feet above the Elbe River. The first bridge, which was wooden, was first built here in 1824. It was replaced with the current bridge made of sandstone in 1851. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Anna Marie Ahn Petersen and Christopher Deviney take selfies at the extremely popular, and stunning, attraction. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Elizabeth Hainen relaxes with a glass of bubbly after the hike. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The Frauenkirche in Dresden. Destroyed during the Allied firebombing of Dresden, the ruins acted as a war memorial until Unification when it was reconstructed. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The Dresden Pride Parade took place while the Orchestra was in town. A participant shows his pride and his love. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
There is history everywhere in Dresden, including in the sidewalk. This plaque reads: Chaplain Alois Andritzki worked here. Born 1914. Arrested 1941. Murdered Dachau 3.2.1943. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The Semperoper Dresden, home to the world-famous opera company that premiered nine of Richard Strauss’s 15 operas, including Elektra, Arabella, and Der Rosenkavalier. It is also the home of the Dresden Staatskapelle, the world-famous orchestra. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Violinist Julia Li and trumpet player Anthony Prisk get ready for an evening game of frisbee. Photo by Todd Rosenberg