Recorded live at the Hagia Eirene church, Istanbul, 1 May 2001.

The Europa concerts are the Berliner Philharmoniker's way of remembering the anniversary of their founding. Performing in a different European city each year, the orchestra wishes to make its contribution to European unity. In 2001, the concert was performed at the historic St Irene Church in Istanbul under the direction of Mariss Jansons. St Irene (Hagia Eirene) is the oldest church in Istanbul, originating from the 4th Century. Today it is mainly used for festivals and concerts.

Mariss Jansons is one of today's most sought-after conductors and Music Director of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam.

Soloist Emanuel Pahud is the top flautist of his generation, praised for his ravishing sound and his effortless phrasing.

Haydn's Surprise Symphony and Mozart's Flute Concerto are counted among the most enchanting and popular orchestral pieces of the Classical period. Berlioz's Symphony fantastique, with its amazing orchestral impact, displays impressively the unequalled qualities of the Berlin Philharmonic.

The release is enhanced by an enticing 20-minute travelogue of Istanbul, plus eight minutes of "behind the scenes" footage.

Picture Format BD: NTSC - 16:9 (Documentary: SD NTSC)
Disc Format: BD 25
Sounds Formats BD: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1
Region Code: All
Booklet notes: English, German, French
Bonus-Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian
Running Rime: 133 mins (105 mins - Performance / 27 mins - Bonus)
FSK: 0