Viewer reactions
July 10, 2014![Sarah Willis mit Volkalhelden](https://static.dw.com/image/17802305_800.webp)
"Fantastic - her personal involvement and sense of humor - I'm always fascinated and inspired by the way you present music in a nutshell!!", writes Maria Seegerer from Berlin. Hers is only one of dozens of messages sent in after the first edition of "Sarah's Music," where Sarah Willis shows how the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra gets children and young people involved in the process of music making - thus making it more accessible. The reward is the opportunity to perform together with one of the world's finest orchestras.
Sarah's fans
Getting people all over the world excited about music is Sarah Willis' passion. Viewers take note. "Brilliant!" says Leigh Alexander from Bath, Maine (USA). "You will, no doubt, hear from horn players around the world just how much we all love and admire Sarah. I like DW very much, and I'm so glad to see you joining forces with Sarah."
Viewers from Japan, Brazil, France and Ghana also wrote in. Sarah Willis is considered one of the most proficient horn players in the field. Tours take her regularly to premiere venues. Now she can be seen worldwide as host of a program on DW. "Congratulations, fabulous show," comments Andrei Lipkin from London on Sarah's Facebook page.
Sarah's charm
When Willis interviews conducting superstars Sir Simon Rattle and Gustavo Dudamel in her characteristically casual manner, they may say things they might not otherwise reveal to the media - personal highlights and impressions, fears and moments of great satisfaction.
"Nobody talks about classical music with more charm than you do!!" says the noted cellist Alban Gerhardt, one of her Facebook fans, in reaction to the premiere of "Sarah's Music." But her unpretentious style wins over more than just her music colleagues. "You are an inspiration to musicians and many others around the world," writes DW viewer Ed Calfee from Knoxville, Tennessee (USA).
Sarah's secrets
One may learn what a typical "survivor kit" for Berlin Philharmonic musicians looks like at their open air concerts. Or at which outdoor events one might hear birdsong in the quiet passages, or beer bottles rolling. Willis reveals all in the second edition of "Sarah's Music," set for broadcast on DW on July 26. The show is about how, come summertime, classical orchestras forsake their concert hall home base for the open air stage.
"I hope I can see the programs in Sweden too," wishes Lotta Kronfeldt from Lund. Not a problem: DW will transmit this and coming editions via satellite. Broadcast times here.
All shows are also available as video on demand, at dw.de/sarahsmusic. "I am looking forward to following you in 'Sarah's Music'," writes DW-viewer Bill Koren from Baton Rouge, Louisiana (USA), "And know that I will be not only entertained but educated."