«Music is the universal language» – don’t believe this common phrase: on the one hand the masterpieces of classical and romantic music that this term usually refers to have a lot more to say than we could glean listening to them once (we might think, for example, of Mozart’s Requiem or Beethoven’s «Appassionata»). Secondly music is such a complex phenomenon that there is probably no one who is equally well acquainted with Monteverdi’s Vespers of the Virgin Mary, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Schönberg’s Farben, Shostakovich’s film music, Sonny Rollins’ particular role in jazz, traditional Persian instruments or today’s pop music videos (all of these examples are present in the Philharmonie’s 2010/11 programme). For us at the Philharmonie it is especially important not to leave you on your own with the music and your curiosity. This can be seen with renowned authors from all sorts of fields whose texts you find in the free evening programmes that accompany many concerts. And even more it can be seen in the introductions, conversations with artists, film shows and many other «Backstage» events held before or after many concerts, once again free. From the comparison of performances throughout recording history to readings with actors and insights into the technical aspects of a concert – everything is possible if it opens up new ways to approach music. You will find the detailed programme and dates for the «Backstage» series in our monthly programmes as well as online at our website.