Brahms: Symphony No. 2 Barbirolli & Berlin Philharmonic Live performance in Coventry, a symbol of peace! During World War II, Coventry Cathedral was devastated by the German army. After the war, a new cathedral was built alongside the ruins of the old cathedral. The Berlin Philharmonic was invited to a concert held as part of the dedication ceremony of this new cathedral, completed in 1962, to erase the unfortunate scars between Germany and England. This recording is a record of this unforgettable concert, a testament to friendship. Coventry was a hub for aircraft engine manufacturing, making it a strategically important target during World War II. On November 14, 1940, the city suffered devastating damage from a raid by the German Air Force. Around 4,000 houses around the cathedral were destroyed, and 600 people were killed. On April 8, 1941, another air raid by the German Air Force resulted in a major disaster, with 1,236 deaths and 1,746 injuries. The cathedral, which once boasted a magnificent appearance, was reduced to just its spire and outer walls. The Christmas Eve mass in 1940 was famous, and in the ruins, Bishop Richard Howard called out to the people, "Let us create a more compassionate world. It is not an easy thing to do. But let us banish the spirit of revenge." ... (omitted) ... At the dedication ceremony of the new cathedral, complete reconciliation, peace, and friendship should be demonstrated, and Bishop Williams wished for the Berlin Philharmonic to be invited for that purpose. At this time, it was very difficult for the Berlin Philharmonic to travel to England. The scars of the bombing by the German army during World War II were still too fresh. Bishop Williams immediately established a cooperative system with Stresemann. Stresemann appealed to the Berlin Senate and the Bonn Foreign Ministry, and succeeded in securing travel expenses through the Senate and the Federal Government. As a result, the Berlin Philharmonic finally set foot in Coventry in early June 1962. And they held two concerts as gifts from the city of Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany. [Recording Information] ・Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Sir John Barbirolli (conductor) Recording date: June 6, 1962, Live recording Recording location: Coventry Cathedral, England