BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 MUSIC IN B ERLIN September 7–14, 2015 Gendarmenmarkt square, Berlin Dear Traveler, Throughout its history, Berlin has been one of Germany’s musical epicenters. Eighteenth-century Berlin was considered the “Golden Age” for music making (corresponding with the coronation of Frederick II, himself a musician), and many important musical figures have lived and worked in this dynamic city, including Johann Joachim Quantz, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and Richard Strauss. In the 20th century, the fall of the wall turned Berlin into one of the most musically endowed places in the world—orchestras previously divided between east and west were now merged under the banner of one, unified city. This special program thoroughly immerses travelers in Berlin’s musical heritage, history, and artistic ambitions with a six-night exploration of the city combined with the opportunity to enjoy three private performances by superbly talented local chamber musicians, played at historic venues. Carefully-crafted, these personalized concerts will explore the themes of Baroque, classical, and romantic musical styles. While evenings will be spent appreciating Berlin’s classical music traditions, daytime excursions will introduce you to this splendid city, where history greets Demetrios Karamintzas and Kim Barbier perform a visitors at every turn. Delve into the city’s cultural institutions, including the famed private concert Pergamon Museum, with its unrivaled collection of ancient art and architecture, Cover: Brandenburg Gate and the Gemaldegalerie, home to one of the world’s greatest collections of 13th- to 18th-century European paintings. Berlin’s Jewish Museum, Cold War-era Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie all speak to the city’s tumultuous 20th-century history. And an excursion to the Charlottenburg Palace reveals Berlin’s opulent royal past. Join like-minded travelers for this unique program that combines an exploration of Berlin’s landmarks and museums with private performances by superbly talented chamber musicians. Sincerely, Margaret M. Betchart President, Betchart Expeditions Inc. For AAAS Travels, ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions Classical Music Program ITINERARY Monday, September 7, 2015 architecture, including the Pergamon Altar, & Schedule of Concerts USA the Gate of Miletus, and the Ishtar Gate. We are delighted to present a program of private Depart the U.S. for Berlin, Germany. Later visit the Jewish Museum, located classical concerts, performed exclusively for us on historic Potsdamer Platz, which traces Tuesday, September 8 by accomplished local musicians and set in the history and contributions of German BERLIN, Germany historical Berlin locations. Jews, including a poignant exhibit on Arrive in Berlin and transfer to the the Holocaust. Even before entering the Concert 1 Wyndham Grand Berlin Hotel (or similar). Romantic works based on romantic poetry with museum, the architecture of this modern (D) oboe, viola, and piano structure embodies the varied experience Performed at Camaro Haus Wednesday, September 9 of the Jewish people in Germany. The Concert 2 BERLIN: BRANDENBURG GATE | afternoon is at leisure to continued Works by J.S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, and Telemann CHECKPOINT CHARLIE | exploring this wonderful city on your own. with oboe, violin, and harpsichord BERLINER DOM (B) Performed at Convent Chorin This morning enjoy a guided tour of this Friday, September 11 historic, elegant, stately, yet youthful, bold Concert 3 BERLIN | CHORIN | BERLIN and lively city, including: the Brandenburg “Mostly Mozart” classical works for strings, The Gemaldegalerie, part of the Berlin Gate, once the symbol of a divided with and without oboe State Museums, is our destination this Germany, and now the epitome of a Performed at a historical venue morning. Home to one of the world’s united nation; Checkpoint Charlie, the greatest collections of European paintings Immediately after receiving his main crossing point in the Berlin Wall for from the 13th to the 18th centuries, this Master’s Degree from The Julliard non-Germans; the reconstructed Reichstag vast collection includes work by such School in 2004, Demetrios Parliament; and the neo-Renaissance renowned artists as Albrecht Durer, Hans Karamintzas became a full-time Berliner Dom, Berlin’s Cathedral, once the Holbein, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens, and principal oboist of the Jerusalem court church of the Hohenzollerns. Continue Vermeer. This afternoon travel to the small Symphony Orchestra, IBA. Mr. Karamintzas has exploring Berlin on your own this afternoon. been active with the Berenboim-Said Foundation town of Chorin, about 35 miles outside of Enjoy our first concert this evening. (B) and was frequently featured as soloist with the Berlin, to visit the Kloster Chorin. Founded Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. He has performed Thursday, September 10 as a Cistercian monastery in the 13th at several international festivals, including BERLIN: PERGAMON MUSEUM | century, the abbey is considered to be one Tanglewood Music Center, where he was awarded JEWISH MUSEUM of the finest Gothic red-brick buildings in the Ralph Gomberg prize for oboe. In 2011, he Visit the famed Pergamon Museum northern Germany. Enjoy a concert in a moved to Berlin and was appointed as principal spending the morning exploring its historical venue. (B) oboist of Orchestra Mobile. He regularly performs unrivalled collection of ancient art and throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. Kim Barbier is an internationally accomplished French pianist. She has performed concertos at the Philharmonie and Konzerthaus in Berlin, the Beijing Concert Hall with the China National Symphony Orchestra, and the Palau della Musica in Valencia with the Orquesta de Valencia, among many others. She performs regularly with several members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Scharoun Ensemble and is a member of the New Berlin Philharmonic Piano Quartet. Olga Holdorff, Leila Weber, and Martin Smith, members of the Miranda String Quartet, regularly perform at the Forum-Concerts of the RIAS Orchestra in Berlin. The group performs regularly with symphony and opera orchestras in Berlin and around Europe, focusing on the combination of classical and contemporary music. (Note that concert venue and programing are subject to change.) Cecilienhof Palace, Potsdam For reservations or information, please call us at 800-252-4910 www.betchartexpeditions.com Berliner Dom Jewish Museum, Berlin Saturday, September 12 BERLIN | POTSDAM | BERLIN Today enjoy a full-day excursion to Potsdam, home to marvelous 17th-century palaces built by Frederick the Great, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and host to the historic Potsdam Conference in 1945 which set the stage for the division of Europe following WWII. Our visit includes: the fantastical Rococo Sansouci Palace and Park; and the English country manor styled Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference took place. Also view the Charlottenhof Palace, modeled after a Roman villa. (B, L) Sunday, September 13 BERLIN: SCHLOSS CHARLOTTENBURG In the morning visit Schloss Charlottenburg, the largest palace in Berlin, and the only former royal residence remaining in Berlin. This palace is an eclectic amalgamation of Baroque and Rococo styles and is surrounded by large formal and informal gardens and woodlands in the Baroque style. Spend the afternoon at leisure, and enjoy our last concert this evening. (B) Monday, September 14 BERLIN | FLY TO USA Transfer to the airport for flights to the U.S. (B) For reservations or information, please call us at 800-252-4910 www.betchartexpeditions.com REGISTRATION BTEX 15522 Enclosed is my check or credit card no. for $________ ($1,500 per person) as a deposit to hold RATE ____ place(s) on Music in Berlin. I understand that final payment is due ninety (90) days prior to departure and is payable $5,395 per person, double occupancy by check only. $755 single supplement Please make check payable to and mail with this registration form to: Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account, 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014 PROGRAM INCLUSIONS o AmEx o Discover o Visa o MasterCard Included No. ________________________________ Exp. ________ 3- or 4-Digit Security Code ________ ■ 6 nights in Berlin at the Wyndham Grand Berlin Hotel (or similar) Membership (please circle): AAAS ACS SIGMA XI PLANETARY SOCIETY ■ All meals as listed in itinerary ■ All tours and excursions DR./MR./MRS./MS. FIRST LAST AGE TELEPHONE (DAY) (EVENING) ■ Professional Travel Dynamics International tour staff ■ Enrichment program of lectures and discussions DR./MR./MRS./MS. FIRST LAST AGE E-MAIL ■ Airport transfers and baggage handling abroad on Each participant must sign below: I/We have the designated arrival and departure dates read the “General Information” section and ■ agree to its terms. Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers ADDRESS Not Included ■ Airfare SIGNATURE DATE ■ Visa and passport fees (if applicable) CITY/STATE/ZIP ■ Trip cancellation and baggage insurance ■ Personal expenses abroard SIGNATURE DATE (such as laundry, telephone, Internet) ■ Gratuities other than specified GENERAL INFORMATION Air Reservations PAYMENT SCHEDULE: A deposit of $1,500 per person is required to reserve your space on the tour. For your convenience, you may charge your deposit to your American Express, Visa, or MasterCard. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Credit cards are not accepted for final Airfare is not included