(ANSA) - BERLIN, 04 MAY - Simon Rattle once called him the "best oboist in the world". And such a musician, Albrecht Mayer, a member of the Berlin Philharmonic, in pandemic, played for months in the parks of the capital. As a street artist and without being identified. Because since he was a child, he explains in an interview with ANSA, he had "needed" the relationship with the public. A "physical experience", which only those who have tried it can fully understand.
Mayer tells of the loss of many musicians, who have not been able to do their jobs anymore, due to Covid: "I'm lucky, but there are desperate colleagues, who have lost their existence ..." And he asks firmly: "the theaters must be reopened" .
A big fan of Italy, he recalls the hard months behind him: "Last summer, when it became clear that many concerts were coming out, and in a lasting way, hope was extinguished, week after week. We had no more prospects. My wife has me. said: 'take the bike and go around, take the oboe and play, maybe even to the park'. And I did. " "Every day I chose a different one, in Wedding, Moabit, and other central neighborhoods. It was very nice, because I played for the people I met ... Obviously I didn't ask for money. It was, however, like being on a small scene. it helped a lot. "
In light of the slowness of reopening in Germany, where culture has been in lockdown since mid-November, with very few moments of rest, he adds ironically: "I'm almost sure I'll have to do it again". For days Mayer has been addressing the German media - among other things to present the latest CD, with the DeutscheGrammophon, dedicated to Mozart's oboe repertoire - to reinforce this message: "I feel the duty to speak even for those who have less voice than me. So many artists and musicians, who have gone bankrupt and have lost their existence. They are not just frustrated, they are desperate. I understand the seriousness of the situation, it's horrible to think about how many people have died in this pandemic. Sure. But that's part of the money. L other is that there isthere has been no case of infection detected during a concert in the hall ". (ANSA).