I was dubious of the concept that’s been hailed in the press and in the classical blogosphere lately about the Berlin Philharmonic’s new Digital Concert Hall project. It will offer both live and archived streams in near high-definition video of orchestral and chamber music on demand for a subscription fee beginning on January 6, 2009.
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I’ve watched the video tour today, and I must say, it looks like an amazing opportunity to see and hear one of the world’s great orchestras outside the realm of pre-recorded audio and video releases (with their attendant editing and technical fudging).
What it isn’t however, is cheap.
Two day access for a live or archived concert costs €10 ($14.26US) and a full season of 30 concerts costs €150 ($214US).