In a curious logistical quirk, both the Berlin Philharmonic and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have been shacking up this week at the Parker Meridien on 56th Street. For the Berliners, it certainly made sense to be just 1/2 a block from Carnegie's stage door, but why did Pittsburgh – who play this afternoon at Avery Fisher Hall – choose to stay here, rather than somewhere closer to Lincoln Center? Did they realize Berlin would be there? Did Manfred and Simon bump into each other during their morning workout in they gym? Did they chat about the Steelers after hours at the hotel bar?
Unfortunately, it was an early night last night for the PSO, but after last night's epic Mahler 2nd at Carnegie, the Berliners I saw hanging out in the lobby looked ready for a night out on the town. And, with their charter flight out of Newark not until late this afternoon, I wouldn't be surprised if more than a few slept in late today.