Our latest 10 concerts:
Jakub Hrůša and Frank Peter Zimmermann with a Czech evening
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
Frank Peter Zimmermann is one of the foremost violinists of our time and a great admirer of Bohuslav Martinů’s rarely played Violin Concerto No. 1, a both sonorous and expressive work, which he presents in this concert. Jakub Hrůša, chief conductor of the Bamberg Symphony and a guest of the Berliner Philharmoniker for the first time, also presents Dvořák’s symphonic poem The Golden Spinning Wheel and Janáček’s Rhapsody Taras Bulba.
13 Oct 2018Berliner Philharmoniker
Jakub HrůšaFrank Peter Zimmermann
Antonín Dvořák
The Golden Spinning-Wheel, op. 109Bohuslav Martinů
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1Frank Peter Zimmermann violin
Sergei Rachmaninov
Prélude in G minor, op. 23 no. 5 (arr. Ernst Schliephake)Leoš Janáček
Taras Bulba, Rhapsody for Orchestra- free
Interview
Jakub Hrůša in conversation with Philipp Bohnen - free
Interview
Frank Peter Zimmermann in conversation with Philipp Bohnen
Sakari Oramo and Alban Gerhardt
Two fabulous, mythical travel stories from Scandinavia are on the programme in this concert: Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 and Jean Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen Suite. Between these two works will be the European premiere of the Cello Concerto by Brett Dean, one of the most sought-after composers of our time and former violist with the Berliner Philharmoniker. The conductor is Sakari Oramo, who currently heads the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The soloist is Alban Gerhardt.
06 Oct 2018Berliner Philharmoniker
Sakari OramoAlban Gerhardt
Edvard Grieg
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, op. 46Brett Dean
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (European première)Alban Gerhardt cello
Johann Sebastian Bach
Suite for solo cello No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012: PréludeAlban Gerhardt cello
Jean Sibelius
Lemminkäinen Suite, op. 22- free
Interview
Sakari Oramo in conversation with Fergus McWilliam - free
Interview
Brett Dean in conversation with Fergus McWilliam
Semyon Bychkov and Katia & Marielle Labèque
Photo: Umberto Nicoletti
In this concert, conductor Semyon Bychkov and the famous piano duo Katia and Marielle Labèque make the case for a wonderful rarity: Max Bruch’s Concerto for Two Pianos which captivates with its sparkling virtuosity and a warm, orchestral sound reminiscent of Brahms. The other works of the evening were also inspired by Brahms: Antonín Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony and Detlev Glanert’s orchestral piece Weites Land.
29 Sep 2018Berliner Philharmoniker
Semyon BychkovKatia Labèque, Marielle Labèque
Detlev Glanert
Weites Land for orchestraMax Bruch
Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra, op. 88aKatia Labèque piano, Marielle Labèque piano
Philip Glass
Four Movements for Two Pianos: Movement IVKatia Labèque piano, Marielle Labèque piano
Antonín Dvořák
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, op. 70- free
Interview
Katia and Marielle Labèque in conversation with Albrecht Mayer
Daniel Harding conducts Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
Posterity has given Anton Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony the most varied soubriquets, from the "Tragic", the "Faustian", and the "Catholic", while the composer himself spoke of his "Fantastic" Symphony. Above all, it demonstrates the variety of worlds of expression that can be found in this monumental work – from ruminative whispering to incandescent displays of bravura. The concert is conducted by Daniel Harding.
22 Sep 2018Berliner Philharmoniker
Daniel HardingAnton Bruckner
Symphony No. 5 in B flat major- free
Interview
Daniel Harding on Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony
François-Xavier Roth and Carolin Widmann
Photo: Kai Bienert
François-Xavier Roth, Generalmusikdirektor of the City of Cologne, presents an evening of fascinating contrasts. He interweaves movements from Debussy’s vividly iridescent Images with the spherical soundscapes of György Ligeti’s famous works Lontano and Atmosphères. In addition there is Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s colourful Violin Concerto with Carolin Widmann as the soloist – the “most headstrong violinist of her generation” (Die Zeit).
15 Sep 2018Berliner Philharmoniker
François-Xavier RothCarolin Widmann
Igor Stravinsky
Symphonies d’instruments à vent (1947 version)Bernd Alois Zimmermann
Concerto for Violin and OrchestraCarolin Widmann violin
Claude Debussy
Images pour orchestre: No. 1 GiguesGyörgy Ligeti
Lontano for large orchestraClaude Debussy
Images pour orchestre: No. 3 Rondes de printempsGyörgy Ligeti
AtmosphèresClaude Debussy
Images pour orchestre: No. 2 Ibéria- free
Interview
François-Xavier Roth in conversation with Matthew Hunter
Sir George Benjamin conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker
Photo: Kai Bienert
George Benjamin has made a name for himself as the creator of powerful, multi-layered works, and this season is the Berliner Philharmoniker’s composer in residence. On this occasion in the role of conductor, he presents music by Boulez, Ravel and Ligeti, which show musical Modernism from its most original side. We also hear Benjamin’s own Palimpsests – a work that is “full of contrasts. In just eight minutes, it packs in as much as some entire symphonies” (The Guardian).
09 Sep 2018Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir George BenjaminChorWerk Ruhr, Cédric Tiberghien
Pierre Boulez
Cummings ist der Dichter for 16 solo voices or mixed choir and instrumentsChorWerk Ruhr
Maurice Ravel
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in D major for the left handCédric Tiberghien piano
György Ligeti
Clocks and Clouds for 12-part female choir and orchestraChorWerk Ruhr
Sir George Benjamin
Palimpsests for orchestra- free
Interview
Sir George Benjamin in conversation with Jonathan Kelly
Kirill Petrenko conducts Beethoven and Strauss at the Berlin Palace
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
A special concert at a special location: the Berliner Philharmoniker and Kirill Petrenko, their chief conductor designate, perform Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and tone poems by Richard Strauss in the reconstructed Berlin Palace. The building, which was badly damaged during the Second World War and demolished in 1950, does not reopen until 2019, so this open-air concert in the splendid Baroque Schlüterhof allows us a first glimpse.
25 Aug 2018Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill PetrenkoRichard Strauss
Don Juan, op. 20Richard Strauss
Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), op. 24Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 7 in A major, op. 92
Season opening: Kirill Petrenko conducts Beethoven and Strauss
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
In a way, this concert looks ahead to a new era. One year before Kirill Petrenko takes up his post as the Berliner Philharmoniker’s new chief conductor, he conducts the opening concert of the 2018/2019 season. At the same time, he presents his interpretation of core works of the Philharmoniker’s repertoire: Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and Richard Strauss’ tone poems Don Juan and Tod und Verklärung.
24 Aug 2018
Opening of the 2018/2019 seasonBerliner Philharmoniker
Kirill PetrenkoRichard Strauss
Don Juan, op. 20Richard Strauss
Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), op. 24Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 7 in A major, op. 92- free
Interview
Kirill Petrenko in conversation with Emmanuel Pahud
Simon Rattle and Magdalena Kožená at the Waldbühne
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
A celebratory finale to an era with the Berliner Philharmoniker. With this concert at the Waldbühne, Sir Simon Rattle’s tenure as chief conductor of the orchestra ends after 16 years. It is a colourful, sparkling farewell – with works by Gershwin, Fauré, Khachaturian and Respighi. The star guest is Sir Simon’s wife, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, who sings excerpts from Joseph Canteloube’s charming Chants d’Auvergne.
24 Jun 2018
From the Berlin WaldbühneBerliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon RattleMagdalena Kožená
George Gershwin
Cuban OvertureGabriel Fauré
PavaneJoseph Canteloube (de Malaret)
Chants d’Auvergne (Selection)Magdalena Kožená mezzo-soprano
Aram Chatschaturjan
Gayane Suite No. 3: No. 2 Dance of the Young KurdsAram Chatschaturjan
Gayane Suite No. 1: No. 7 Adagio of GayaneAram Chatschaturjan
Gayane Suite No. 1: No. 8 LezginkaOttorino Respighi
Pini di RomaClaudio Monteverdi
“Si dolce è’l tormento”, madrigal for solo voice and basso continuo, SV 332Magdalena Kožená mezzo-soprano
Edward Elgar
Pomp and Circumstance, op. 39: March No. 1John Philip Sousa
The Liberty BellPaul Lincke
Berliner Luft
Simon Rattle’s farewell with Mahler’s Sixth
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
On 14 November 1987, a promising conductor made his Berliner Philharmoniker debut with Gustav Mahler’s Sixth Symphony: Simon Rattle. In retrospect Rattle says, “I felt that I was finding my voice on that day.” Mahler’s multifaceted work was also on the programme when Sir Simon gave his last concert in the Philharmonie as the orchestra’s chief conductor. The wheel comes full circle.
20 Jun 2018Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon RattleGustav Mahler
Symphony No. 6- free
Interview
Sir Simon Rattle on Mahler’s Sixth Symphony
