Now THIS is Really CLASSIC
We only wish we had predicted it or even suggested
it: Two Austrian companies, renowned worldwide
for the precision and distinction of their craft have
come together in a unique partnership. Making a
full face debut at the classic Wiener Philharmoniker
2007 New Year’s Concert over 70 musicians from
the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra were wearing
Silhouette eyewear. That striking union will now
be a sight (so to speak) at all of their sold out
concerts worldwide.
In the course of the orchestra’s 160 year history, Austria’s
musical ambassadors have been communicating the language of
music around the world and captivating audiences all over with
the brilliant precision and impeccable style. Their pre-eminence
was well captured by Richard Strauss when he said, “All praise
of the Vienna Philharmonic reveals itself as understatement.”
Recently voted Europe’s Finest Orchestra by noted French
music magazine, Le Monde de la Musique, there are few groups
of musicians more highly admired.
Their legendary performances demand perfect eyesight for
reading music and following the conductor’s cues so the
choice of ideal eyewear is critical. The frames need to also be
as light as possible and comfort is critical since fiddling
around with glasses is not an option during any given performance
no matter what the length. “Around 80 percent of
our musicians wear glasses and even very slight near- or farsightedness
must be corrected because the sheet of music has
to be easily readable and the view of the conductor must be
completely unobstructed,” says Clemens Hellsberg, president
of the Vienna Philharmonic. Most of the musicians in the
orchestra even have a special pair of glasses just for playing
music, which is carefully adapted to suit the exact distance
between the eye and music stand. Silhouette’s fit is also a crucial
feature since musicians cannot stop to adjust or push up
their glasses during a performance.
Silhouette’s Schmied family has been lifelong supporters of
the arts, particularly of music. Klaus Schmied, son of founder
Arnold Schmied and director of Silhouette International, says,
“What is important to us is that the Vienna Philharmonic
musicians feel comfortable and each of them is equipped with
perfect eyewear.” He points out, “It is interesting to note that
the musicians’ need for eyewear with lightweight wearing comfort,
precise visual acuity and perfect fit is the same as that of
NASA astronauts, who also choose to wear our glasses on their
missions in space.”
The musicians chose Silhouette’s iconic, lightweight rimless
collection, Titan Minimal Art, with its innovative hinge-free
design, HyperFlex titanium material and durable TwinLock
pressure mount system. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
president, also an eyeglass wearer, expresses his pleasure about
the partnership saying, “Apart from the fact that we need glasses
for our work and thus have very high standards of quality, the
emotional factor also plays an important role, because, after all,
Silhouette is one of the most successful, internationally
renowned companies in Austria.”
This past January the New Year’s Concert of the Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra was broadcast into millions of households
all over the world, conducted by Zubin Mehta. We watched
him soar exuberant to contemplative, offering listeners and
viewers a source of optimism and joy for the coming year. And,
for the first time the musicians were treated to a new sight, viewing
their sheet music and their conductor through Silhouette
eyewear. Smart marketing? Yes, to an extent, but this match-up
is simply music to 20/20’s ears… and eyes.
— James J. Spina
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