Interviews happen in all forms and places, but it certainly was a first for me to have a chat with cameras and microphones in a Munich laundromat. It was a lot of fun! This interview was especially quirky since the journalist who interviewed me did not know the questions before he was handed a sealed envelope, so he was just as surprised about the questions as myself and all the other laundry customers… To see the whole interview, click here!

I have always been a huge fan of Terry Gilliam, the famous creator of the Monty Python animations and director of movies like Brazil, 12 Monkeys and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Grotesque, brutal, crazy, and most of all hilariously funny!!

Cyriak Harris aka Cyriak aka Mutated Monty is not only following this path but truly taking this style to the 21st century. I have become an instant fan of his work, and highly recommend his webpage.

Please join the LIVE broadcast today at 8 pm german time/2 pm EST on Deutschlandradio Kultur internet live stream. Johannes plays the Hindemith Cello Concerto, together with Herbert Blomstedt conducting the Bamberger Symphoniker. To listen, and for more information, please click here.

What a ride this past month was! First my debut with the Berlin Phil, and right afterwards the World Premiere of Magnetar, the electric cello concerto by Enrico Chapela, together with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and their music director Gustavo Dudamel.
As always, I had the BEST time in Los Angeles! I just love it there: People are so enthusiastic and positive, and the orchestra creates a wonderful working environment. There is such a “Lets just do it!” attitude which I just find so invigorating, inspiring, and refreshing! It has been my fifth visit since my first appearance at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005, and I am so grateful for this truly wonderful partnership.

This World Premiere was also my first collaboration with Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. Working with him, I discovered that behind his very visible, electrifying and energetic personality there is a thoughtful, friendly, easy going and very hard working man who has the highest standards for others around him as well as for himself. And it only takes a minute and you feel you want to be his best friend!

Magnetar was a hit! I was pleasantly surprised how enthusiastic the public was after the performances at Disney Hall in Los Angeles and Davies Hall in San Francisco. You just never know with a first performance, it can go really well or really poorly, and believe me, I have experienced it both ways…

Here are some clips on our work with Magnetar:

Its only been rather recently that I discovered the magical concept of taking a vacation. I know. Better late than never. This past summer I went to Whistler near Vancouver and went soaring, biking, rafting as well as ziplining – whats that? Find out:

My final tour before the summer break is starting in Kuala Lumpur with performances tonight and tomorrow of the Schumann concerto under young conductor Mr. Urbanski. While Scrabble aficionados might find it amazing that his first name Krzyzstof includes two z and one y, music lovers already know that he is nothing short of excellent and already a well known figure in the music world.

The beautiful concert hall is situated right beside the famous Petronas Towers, the highest Twin Towers in the world today. I almost fell over backwards when I took this picture:

And two days ago I gave a masterclass for three young and talented cellists

I really loved this out of office note. Its wonderful to see how different cultures choose their priorities and define their lives through that:

What can be better than music, or great food, maybe sunshine, or even the ocean? Exactly: All combined. Which pretty much sums up my wonderful time in San Sebastian. Take a look: