In a cinema first, the world-renowned Berliner Philharmoniker, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, is coming to 3D screens this spring. The co-production between EuroArts Music, Context TV and Shaksfin Asia, features a concert from Singapore’s spectacular Esplanade Concert Hall, interspersed with pictures of the city and its people, specially conceived to be a visual complement to the music. The film will be released globally outside Germany by Arts Alliance Media.

Described by many as the finest orchestra in the world, the Berliner Philharmoniker under their principal conductor Sir Simon Rattle will present Mahler’s First Symphony – a unique and breathtaking experience in the concert hall – with Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances. The producers, together with the director Michael Beyer and cameraman and co-director Tomas Erhart, have developed a series of miniature stories based on the composers original titles of the movements “midday, sunset, midnight” that translate the music into magnificent 3D scenes. They show the life of the people of Singapore as representative of the multiplicity of people in general, with the beauty of Singapore, its cultural variety and the peaceful coexistence of its people playing a particular role.  The film’s director, Michael Beyer, commented “The change between the two settings ‘orchestra’ and ‘Singapore’ reacts to the tunes, the tempi and the dance impulses of Rachmaninov’s score.  Chinatown, breathtaking Western architecture and the Hindu temple in 3D together with all aspects of life, work, leisure and spirituality  make the spectator believe that he is not only an observer, but in the middle of music and life.”

As many as eight 3D and HD cameras were used in making the film, with cameramen and technicians from all over the world. This large-scale project also received considerable local support in terms of personnel and equipment. The innovative 3D-technology makes it possible to employ completely new perspectives, so that every cinema-goer can experience the concert not only from the front row of the stalls but also from a seat in the middle of the orchestra.

Elizabeth Draper, VP of Alternative Content Distribution at Arts Alliance Media, said “Arts Alliance Media are thrilled to be presenting another first in bringing unique events to cinemas. This first 3D film to focus on classical music looks and sounds spectacular on the big screen, and the 3D allows the viewer to feel like they’re in the best seat in the house, totally immersed in the experience alongside the Berliner Philharmoniker and Sir Simon Rattle”. 

The film was funded by the Media Board of Berlin-Brandenburg and STB and will be shown in cinemas all over the world during the second quarter of 2011. More details on screenings will be announced shortly.

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www.euroarts.com