At the Philharmonic, Even the Walls Tell Exciting Stories
I once hosted a programme with a very interesting Italian gentleman who dealt with the energy of spaces. He believed that every house, apartment or building has a soul, which is sometimes so strong and vivid that it affects everyone who lives there. For historians, public and private archives and libraries are an invaluable resource to reconstruct the history of a place, with all its ups and downs. It is people who breathe life into the whole story, but the stones and walls also play a unique role in this. Although they do not speak, they silently radiate a spirit that becomes the pulsating reality of life.
After stones are embedded in the walls of buildings, whether they are palaces or humble dwellings, they become the most reliable witness of history. This means that the stones have a soul that, despite speaking its own perhaps incomprehensible language, is there within the walls for one purpose only: to tell a story. The Slovenian Philharmonic curiously observes Congress Square, the University of Ljubljana, Zvezda Park and the Ursuline Church. It flirts with the Ljubljanica River and gazes dreamily at the Ljubljana Castle. If it could talk, the Philharmonic would certainly have a lot to say. I am sure that it has an incredible memory and can recall all of the people, concerts, formal dresses, conductors and conversations, as well as everything else that accompanies its story.
The Slovenian Philharmonic considers it an honour to be able to boast such a rich and enduring tradition. Along with its predecessors, the Academia philharmonicorum (1701), the Philharmonic Society (1794) and the first Slovenian Philharmonic (1908–1913), it can proudly take its place among the oldest orchestras in the world. With experience in hundreds of national and international productions and performances, the Slovenian Philharmonic passionately and professionally engages with the classical repertoire. It can be brilliant, funny, moving, powerful and revolutionary. In short: incredible.
What I like about the people of the Philharmonic is that they are always prepared for and open towards projects that are not bound by genres and traditions. They know how to go beyond everything. In doing so, they take the listener with them, whether loyal or new, so that they can together taste the classical and the modern, the known and the unknown. This is a universe unto itself, full of surprises every season. It is nice to be part of this big family.
