080 BRIEF ENCOUNTERS


Clockwise The glorious interiors are especially apparent when enveloped in daylight. The glass panels enveloping the exterior of the building had to be fit like a jigsaw. The interior of the large concert hall, renowned for its unique acoustics


create a distinctive icon for the city, used on all its tourism marketing.


Te Elbphil – pandemic notwithstanding – is continuing to work hard to win its place in the affections of Hamburg’s citizens. Tey conducted 1,000 workshops a year (before Covid-19), aimed at community engagement and enrichment; they have a family orchestra and a youth orchestra with 500 instruments


available for children to borrow freely, and multiple choirs. It has staged concerts of all kinds, including rock and jazz. And at the two fifth birthday performances I was lucky enough to attend, the halls were jam-packed with (mask-wearing) Hamburg citizens and visitors, of all ages.


On a tour of the eclectic mix of architectural residences that are evolving along the Elbphil’s


harbour arm, my guide told me: ‘People love the Elbphilharmonie, not because of the concert halls but because of the building.’ However, at Hamburg Airport's passport control, the officers who questioned me about my visit (‘two days? Tat’s a short visit!’) declared that they had heard of it, but had never actually gone there. So, maybe there is still work to do.


YARCHYK / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM


LEFT AND FAR LEFT: VERONICA SIMPSON


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