John Williams, Berliner Philharmoniker – The Berlin Concert | Blu-ray Dolby Atmos

2 Blu-ray · Dolby Atmos · 5.1 Surround · Stereo

John Williams conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker for the first time, on a Pure Audio Blu-ray with the Dolby Atmos mix.
Two discs: the concert on video and, separately, the audio alone in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and PCM stereo.

The story of the album

On 14, 15 and 16 October 2021, at the Berlin Philharmonie, John Williams stepped onto the Berliner Philharmoniker's podium for the first time, over three sold-out nights. The album came out on 4 February 2022, a few days before his ninetieth birthday, and went to number one in the German charts: Williams' first number one in Germany and the orchestra's first in that chart.

The programme covers half a century of cinema: from the "Olympic Fanfare" to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, from Harry Potter to Jurassic Park and Superman, from Indiana Jones to Star Wars, with encores of Princess Leia's theme, the flying theme from E.T. and the Imperial March. Between pieces Williams himself introduces them to the audience.

At the heart of the concert is the Elegy for Cello and Orchestra, with the Berliners' principal cellist Bruno Delepelaire as soloist. In the Dolby Atmos mix the orchestra opens up around the listener as it does in the Philharmonie's vineyard-style hall.

Three ways to hear the same concert

DOLBY ATMOS

The immersive mix on the Pure Audio Blu-ray: the orchestra's sections are placed in front, to the sides, behind and above the listener.

5.1 SURROUND

The multichannel mix in DTS-HD Master Audio, for surround systems without height speakers.

STEREO

The two-channel mix in uncompressed PCM, for a stereo system.

Why this edition

Two discs
The concert on video, 115 minutes, and a Pure Audio Blu-ray made for listening alone.

A historic debut
Williams' first time leading the Berliner Philharmoniker.

The composer at the microphone
Williams introduces the pieces on the programme in person.

Number one in the charts
Top of the German album chart on release in 2022.