One of the world’s great orchestras and one of the world’s greatest record labels team up with Gramophone to give a preview of Sir Simon Rattle’s long-anticipated Brahms symphony cycle in the Gramophone Listening Room. And, as a special gift to visitors to the Gramophone Listening Room, the Berliner Philharmoniker is offering a free concert in its acclaimed Digital Concert Hall. The Gramophone Listening Room, launched last month, offers subscribers a unique opportunity to listen to new recordings ahead of their release. A new album is offered each week alongside a selection of reissues. You can also sample video content and artist interviews. Sample and sign-up to the Gramophone Listening Room at gramophone.telljack.com. Rattle conducts Brahms Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Brahms symphony cycle is released by EMI on September 7. Until August 28, subscribers to the Gramophone Listening Room can enjoy the recording of the Fourth Symphony. And alongside it, and available to anyone visiting the Listening Room, Sir Simon talks in a video about Brahms; and a single movement from the symphony will be offered to stream free-of-charge. In addition, EMI is offering a prize to go and hear Sir Simon live in Berlin, conducting his orchestra – simply follow the links to EMI’s Rattle website for details of how to enter the competition. Visit the Sir Simon Rattle website. Digital Concert Hall The Berliner Philharmoniker has a long tradition of engaging with new technology – Artur Nikisch made the first complete symphony recording (Beethoven’s Fifth) with them as long ago as 1913 and, under Karajan, numerous milestones were passed. Now the orchestra has thrown open the doors of its virtual concert venue, the Digital Concert Hall, which allows a global audience to join all concerts played in the Philharmonie live and on demand at www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/dch. Presented in HD picture quality and sound quality similar to CD, this groundbreaking offer has attracted more than 200,000 users and 2000 season pass holders. In addition to great acclaim by public and critics alike, it has won numerous design awards. At the moment it boasts more than 30 concerts in its archives - the complete 2008/2009 season. Starting with the Season Opening on August 28, all concerts from the 2009/10 season will become accessible as and when they are performed. The Berliner Philharmoniker would like to invite Gramophone readers to watch one concert of their choice for free – be it the splendid gala opening or a personal favourite, just visit the Gramophone Listening Room to watch a preview and to receive your free voucher code: gramophone.telljack.com.