26 June 2005.

The climax of the Berlin Philharmonic's season is the traditional open-air concert at the Waldbhne stadium, normally the scene of much lighter-raising as all the big name rock acts come to town. The orchestra's new music director, Sir Simon Rattle takes the baton while star pianists Katia and Marielle Labque perform the solos. The programme includes great works by Berlioz, Debussy, Dukas, Poulenc, Ravel and Saint-Sans. The open air concert is indeed a unique event on the Berlin music scene attracting music fans from all musical fields as well as the classical tradition. It is a grand social occasion for which the paying public bring along champagne, smoked salmon and freshly baked bread turning the musical tour-de-force into a gigantic picnic and outdoor feast. The relaxed atmosphere brings out the best in the crowd, musicians and soloists. Not to be missed! Tickets cost 18-56. Starts at 20.15.