Professor Michael Field talks Berlin and all things music and travel
First Class Magazine’s Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan sits down with 2MBS Fine Music Sydney’s Professor Michael Field to talk all things music and travel.
Michael Field AM, MD, FRACP has retired from various highly regarded roles in medicine but not from music. A former Professor of Medicine (now Emeritus) at the University of Sydney, his own instrument is the flute. While he once performed regularly in the Australian Doctors Orchestra and the NSW Doctors Orchestra, he has farewelled his flautist days and it is now his vocal chords that can be heard over the airwaves at 2MBS Fine Music Sydney (where he is also Chair of the Presenters Committee.)
An early subscriber to 2MBS, Michael’s love of the station continued over the decades. Thus when he retired ten years ago, he made a bee line for the station to become involved as a programmer and presenter, which has been an incredibly rewarding part of his retirement years.
The musical city of Berlin
Michael’s lifelong passion for classical music has resulted in seeking out the finest of classical music around the world. While it is difficult for him to give a favourite overseas musical destination, when pressed he says Berlin delivers on so many musical accounts. (It’s in his top three of London, Vienna and Berlin.) It’s a place he describes as a musical hub with no less than three opera houses: the Deutsche Oper, the Staatsoper and the Komische Oper. He goes on to sing the accolades of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra which he says has had so many star conductors. He also appreciates the vast array of chamber groups in Berlin.
If visiting Berlin, Michael recommends both the Hotel Adlon Kempinski for a luxurious stay (as recommended to him although he hasn’t yet stayed there) or the hip NH Collection Berlin Mitte Am Checkpoint Charlie.