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Conductor Sir Simon Rattle and the Bavarian State Youth Orchestra (BLJO) at the flash mob concert in Munich
Photo: Sven Hoppe / dpa
Conductor Sir Simon Rattle set an example in the dispute over the new concert hall with a flash mob in Munich.
The aim of the spontaneous concert was to draw attention to the great need for the concert hall for the whole of Bavaria in a "vibrant way," explained the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO).
On Friday, the orchestra played titles from "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" in front of the Ferris wheel in Munich's Werksviertel district, while people from the surrounding offices stopped and listened.
The Bavarian State Youth Orchestra (BLJO) and members of several amateur ensembles were also there.
The concert hall is currently still in the planning phase.
Among other things, the BRSO is to find a home in Munich under the future management of Rattle.
But the project has been a subject of debate for many years, partly because of its location.
But the general necessity of the cultural center is also up for debate.
Controversy over the cultural budget
Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) called for a “pause for thought” in relation to the new building in March and fundamentally questioned the financing.
"We're noticing how much the world has changed.
The truth is: The city of Munich has to cut its culture budget," he said in an interview with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung".
According to its own statements, Söder feared costs of over one billion euros for the new building.
But many millions have already been spent on planning the concert hall.
Söder's attitude had caused great criticism in the cultural scene.
Rattle also said he hoped to continue construction.
The New Concert Hall Munich Foundation recently published a letter to the members of the Board of Trustees.
The prime minister's actions were perceived as highly disconcerting.
"Any further delay in the project means a colossal increase in costs."
evh/dpa
