Credits:

Simon Rattle

Description:

New Years Eve Concert 2008All-American ProgramA video recording of the Berlin Philharmonics New Years Eve Concerta New Years Eve tradition held in 2008is now available. The theme was America. The year 2008 was a year in which the United States was frequently in the newsfrom the presidential election, in which Barack Obama, at age 47, became the first African American president, to the Lehman Brothers collapse. The concert opens with Gershwins Cuban Overture. Inspired by the cheerful locals and bustling streets he encountered during his visit to Cuba, Gershwin composed this Latin-flavored piece using Cuban melodies and rhythms. From the very beginning, youll be amazed by the Berlin Philharmonics mastery in performing any piece with such finesse. Two singers, Thomas Quasthoff and Pauline Malfanne, were invited as guest soloists for this concert. Coplands Old American Songs, sung by Kvasthoff, is