On Tour: Behind the scenes with Bamberger Symphoniker in Asia
Tour Manager Arna Jonsdottir and Associate Director Viola Frankenfeld travelled with Bamberger Symphoniker to Taiwan & South Korea. Here are their insights from managing this tour
Taipei Botanical Garden, Taiwan by Arna Margret JonsdottirHarrisonParrott Foundation
Bamberger Symphoniker travelled to Taiwan and South Korea 20-31 March 2023. Under the baton of their chief conductor, Jakub Hrůša, they performed six concerts joined by local soloists, Taiwanese violinist Ray Chen and South Korean pianist Sunwook Kim.
Unloading in Taiwan
Upon arrival in Taiwan, the loadmaster for the orchestra went to the airport where the cargo was being depalletized and then moved into temperature-controlled trucks to ensure that the instruments would be well protected from any temperature changes.
Taipei’s National Concert Hall
The first two concerts took place at the National Concert Hall, where alongside Bruckner’s Symphonic Prelude and Brahms’ Symphonies No.3 and 4, audiences were treated to a performance of Ligeti's Poème Symphonique for one hundred mechanical metronomes.
Unboxing 100 Metronomes in Taipei by Arna Margret JonsdottirHarrisonParrott Foundation
One hundred ticking metronomes
During the interval the metronomes were placed on stage after several hours had been spent unboxing and winding them up backstage. When the metronomes were started, they ticked rapidly for several minutes, until only one was left slowly ticking and then everything went silent
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A dream loading bay in Kaohsiung
This newly built venue has a dream loading bay, fitting two trucks at the dock at the same time. No lifting or elevators needed to get the instruments and scores on stage, or concert clothes backstage.
Orchestra members visit Chengong Elementary School by bambergsymphonyHarrisonParrott Foundation
Engaging with the local community
In Taipei, the orchestra engaged with the local community by participating in, and organising, several educational masterclasses.
In Taipei, the orchestra delivered several educational events by bambergsymphonyHarrisonParrott Foundation
Engaging with the local community
Several orchestra members travelled to Chengong Elementary School in Keelung, were they performed and worked with pupils.
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From Seoul to Daegu by train...
From Taiwan, they travelled across the East China Sea to South Korea where they were joined by pianist Sunwook Kim. The orchestra travelled via train from Seoul to Daegu for the first concert. All logistics and seat allocations were carefully planned to ensure a smooth round-trip.
Rehearsal for the last concert at Gyeonggi Arts Center by Arna Margret JonsdottirHarrisonParrott Foundation
…and back to Seoul
Upon returning to Seoul, the orchestra performed at the well-known arts complex Seoul Arts Center and Gyeonggi Arts Center where, after extended applause from the audience after Dvořák’s Symphonies No.8 and 9, the orchestra performed encores to show them their appreciation.
Signing session at National Concert Hall by Arna Margret JonsdottirHarrisonParrott Foundation
Autographs and photographs
After the concerts, Jakub Hrůša, Ray Chen and Sunwook Kim attended signing sessions where audiences could take a photo and speak with the conductor and soloists. Some of these sessions lasted up to three hours!
Signing session in Korea with Sunwook Kim by Arna Margret JonsdottirHarrisonParrott Foundation
Sheet music and instrument cases too!
Several young fans brought their sheet-music and instrument cases to be signed. We hope they were inspired and went home to practice Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 or Schumann’s Piano Concerto after hearing the pieces performed at the concerts.
Bamberger Symphoniker meet Friends of the Earth Korea by Arna Margret JonsdottirHarrisonParrott Foundation
Environmental impact
Bamberger Symphoniker is taking a pioneering role in terms of sustainability and aspire to make their travel environmentally friendly. For this tour, they teamed up with Friends of the Earth Korea and donated to offset their international flights and cargo transport.
Friends of the Earth meeting by Arna Margret JonsdottirHarrisonParrott Foundation
Friends of the Earth
They met with a representative from Friends of the Earth in Seoul where they discussed the various projects that the orchestra’s donation would help support.
Cherry Blossoms outside National Palace Museum, Taiwan by Arna Margret JonsdottirHarrisonParrott Foundation
Cherry blossom trees
We were fortunate enough to experience the Cherry blossom trees in full bloom in both countries. What a sight!
