Germany Guide
Berlin
The Philharmonie building
Address: Kulturforum, west of Potsdamer Platz
Frequently considered the world's best, from the 1960s to the 1980s the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra became inextricably associated with genius conductor Herbert von Karajan until he retired in 1989. Looking at the gaudy building and bearing in mind von Karajan's famously short temper with artists, it's easy to see why Berliners nicknamed it "Karajan's circus". However, Scharoun's complicated floor-plan around the orchestra offers top-notch acoustics and views, regardless of your seat. Other than going to a performance, you can also view the interior of the building on free tours (in German; daily 1pm). In the same building, and continuing the musical theme, the Musikinstrumenten museum (Tues– Fri 9am–5pm, Thurs 9am–10pm, Sat & Sun 10am–5pm; €4 or with a Bereichskarte; 
www.sim.spk-berlin.de), is disappointing, despite its comprehensive collection of instruments from the fifteenth century to the present.