Jonathan Kelly plays Strauss’s Oboe Concerto
Richard Strauss’s Oboe Concerto breathes the spirit of Schubert and Mozart – but in modern dress. Principal oboist Jonathan Kelly makes it shine here alongside Sir Simon Rattle.
In the spotlight
Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker as soloists
“It can be asserted without hesitation that every member of a first-class orchestra deserves to be called an ‘artist’,” Arthur Nikisch once wrote. With this credo, the chief conductor of what was at that time called the Berliner Philharmonisches Orchester played an important role in allowing the musicians to conceive of themselves as soloists. To this day, the name Berliner Philharmoniker stands for an orchestra whose members achieve the highest artistic standards not only as an ensemble but also individually – whether as soloists or in chamber music ensembles.
Whether in virtuoso solo works, double concertos rich in dialogue or lushly scored contemporary compositions: when members of the Berliner Philharmoniker step forward from the ranks of the orchestra into the spotlight, musical highlights are guaranteed – in the 2026/27 season, too. Experience some of these special performances now in our selection from the archive.
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Marie-Pierre Langlamet plays Tailleferre
“Music of such freshness – you could say it smells good,” said Darius Milhaud of his colleague Germaine Tailleferre. Marie-Pierre Langlamet presents her Harp Concertino.
Noah Bendix-Balgley on “Klezmer Concerto”
“Composing Fidl-Fantazye: A Klezmer Concerto was my way of bringing together the worlds of classical and klezmer music, both of which I have loved since I was a child – and I was thrilled to share my love of klezmer music with my colleagues.”
Stefan Dohr plays Richard Ayres
Is this a horn concerto? In his NONcerto, Richard Ayres questions the genre in a hugely entertaining way. Principal horn player Stefan Dohr performs it with virtuosity – and full physical commitment.
Daishin Kashimoto plays Shostakovich
A lament, a scherzo of biting irony, a fateful passacaglia and a burlesque that sweeps all before it: 1st concertmaster Daishin Kashimoto brings out the many facets of Dmitri Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto.
Soloists of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Emmanuel Pahud performs Takemitsu
I Hear the Water Dreaming – Tōru Takemitsu’s work for flute and orchestra is as poetic as its title, drawing on the Dreamtime myth of the Australian Aborigines. Principal flute Emmanuel Pahud plays it alongside Kazuki Yamada.
Diyang Mei and Ludwig Quandt
An unworldly knight and his pragmatic squire: in his Fantastic Variations, Richard Strauss captured the outlandish adventures of Don Quixote. 1st principal violist Diyang Mei and 1st principal cellist Ludwig Quandt “embody” the unlikely duo with wit and flair.
Wenzel Fuchs on Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto:
“The particular attraction of this clarinet concerto for me is that the music – as is really always the case with Mozart – is so honest. To allow oneself as a soloist to indulge in the bed of Philharmonic sonority during a performance is an absolute luxury.”
Bruno Delepelaire plays Lalo
Spanish rhythms, soaring melodies and sparkling orchestral colours: 1st principal cellist Bruno Delepelaire performs Édouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto – and makes his instrument sing with captivating beauty.
Matthew McDonald plays Gerald Barry
A double bass as a solo instrument? Absolutely! Gerald Barry conjures up a dreamlike scene in his concerto From “Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant”, premiered here by 1st principal bassist Matthew McDonald.
The whole world of the Berliner Philharmoniker
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