The Munich Philharmonic stands for the highest possible quality. Under the leadership of Valery Gergiev, the musicians regularly deliver peak performances. As a student, Gergiev won the Herbert von Karajan conducting competition in Berlin and has since launched a breathtaking career.  Under his direction, the legendary Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg has become one of the most important cornerstones of operatic culture in Russia.The Munich orchestra opens its Elbphilharmonie concert with a reference to one of Hamburg’s distinguished sons, the Third Symphony by Johannes Brahms. In which, adorned with a fair amount of pragmatism, Brahms reveals himself as being overwhelmingly emotional.  His composer colleague Dvořák wrote the following about the work: »...on hearing it your heart overflows«. The second part of the evening continues with powerful feelings, featuring Richard Strauss’s »Ein Heldenleben« (A Hero’s Life). read less