Atlanta Voices Triumph in Berlin

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus made a triumphant second appearance with the Berlin Philharmonic

By Wanda Yang Temko

Berlin, Germany – Nearly five years ago our Principal Guest Conductor, Donald Runnicles, took us to Berlin to help him make his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic. That week of rehearsals and concerts of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem was transformative for many of the choristers. Not knowing how we, a group of volunteer singers, would fare on the world stage with the best orchestra in the world, we were humbled by the Berlin Philharmonic's reaction to us at that first rehearsal. After a protracted choral diminuendo to a whisper, we could hear the players whispering, “Wow.” The Berlin Philharmonic and audiences showed their approval unabashedly, filling us with admiration, elation, and tears of appreciation, and the reviews afterward sang our praises loudly. We made ourselves a tough act to follow, so needless to say there was some trepidation as to how we would fare the second time around.