SPECIAL PROJECTS - ANDREAS RICHTER

Building Bridges

Each season, András Schiff, who himself built his international acclaimed career without the springboard of a major competition win, selects three gifted pianists with unique musical personalities and, in cooperation with conc.arts berlin, arranges recitals for them at concert venues and festivals throughout Europe. The aim is to support the young artists in developing their own sustainable networks and lasting connections in the professional music world. Past seasons have seen the pianists perform in Antwerp, Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Dortmund, Florence, Frankfurt, London, Lugano, Milan, Weimar, Zurich as well as at a variety of prestigious summer festivals. Upcoming highlights include recitals in Bern, Gstaad and Vienna’s Musikverein.

A special focus is the development of the concert programmes, which Sir András Schiff undertakes in intensive consultation with the musicians. The programmes should reflect not only the pianistic skills, but also the artistic curiosity and ideas of the participants. The pianists leave behind authentic musical visiting cards, both for the audience with an affinity for piano music and for the professional world – because artists’ agencies, concert organizers, representatives of the record industry, fellow musicians and specialist journalists are invited to every concert.

The selected musicians have completed their studies and have already participated in various renowned competitions. Nevertheless, they are only at the beginning of their professional careers and with the participation in Building Bridges they are given the chance to shape their professional future in a promising way right from the start. Since 2014, 22 pianists have been supported by the programme and established flourishing careers, including Zoltán Fejévári, Nathalia Milstein, Mishka Rushdie Momen, Nicolas Namoradze and Schaghajegh Nosrati.

With Building Bridges, Sir András Schiff has established a unique model of sustainable promotion of young talent, enabling young pianists to build their own bridges to the professional music world.

Building Bridges website

VIDEO

PIANISTS 2023/24

–Overview projects 2023-2024 (PDF)

Availability upon request
Julius Asal

L. v. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2/1
B. Bartók: Suite for Piano, Op. 14
J. Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5

Availability upon request
Martina Consonni

D. Scarlatti: Piano Sonata in F major, K. 438, Piano Sonata in D minor, K. 1 – L. 366
F. J. Haydn: Piano Sonata in C major, Hob:XVI:50
F. Schubert: Piano Sonata in A major, Op. posth. 120 – D. 664
R. Schumann: Papillons Op. 2
F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Rondò capriccioso in E minor, Op. 14

Availability upon request
Tomoki Park

J.S. Bach: Four Duets from the third book of Klavierübungen: Duet No.1 in E minor
Heinz Holliger: Lebenslinien, 2021
J.S. Bach: Duet No. 2 in F major
Katherine Balch: New Work, 2023
J.S. Bach: Duet No. 3 in G major
Isang Yun: Shao Yang Yin, 1966
J.S. Bach: Duet No. 4 in A minor
L. v. Beethoven: Hammerklaviersonate, Op.106

DOWNLOADS

–Projects 2023-24 (PDF)

For more information about the projects as well as bios and pictures of the pianists, please click here:

Building Bridges website

Babylon ORCHESTRA

Babylon ORCHESTRA, founded in 2016, is a Berlin-based urban fusion ensemble that combines European and Middle Eastern music with the sound of a big band and contemporary orchestra. Our aim is to promote intercultural artistic cooperation and thus to give different musical traditions and cultures a place in a new shared and unique sound world of the present. We bring people with their stories, songs, instruments, rhythms in the hope of providing creative impulses for new musical works.

By combining and juxtaposing classical and traditional instruments, such as oud and guitar, ney and flute, kamanche and violin, or other exciting combinations, we also aim to foster a deeper understanding of non-European cultures.

The orchestra also sees itself as a platform for exceptional musicians who do not want to squeeze their art into classical or popular musical forms and instead want to find an expression for the specificity of their countries of origin.

In 2021, the ensemble performed with the Rundfunksinfonieorchester Berlin, the Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Office of the German Federal President, the Konzerthaus Berlin and the ODEON Göppingen, among others. In 2022, the ensemble performs in Greece and at several German festivals, releases an EP and makes its debut in Switzerland.

VIDEO

PRESS

“This is where the happy pigeonholing fails.”

concerti, 15th of November 2021

“A fascinating fusion concert that breaks all musical expectations as well as the fourth wall.”

Tagesspiegel Berlin, 18th of June 2019

“Babylon Orchestra is the wonder of world music.”

Berliner Kurier, 22th of November 2018

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2024/25

–Overview projects 2024/25 (PDF)

–Cooperation with symphony orchestras (PDF)

Availability upon request
Echoes of the Mediterannean

“Echoes of Mediterranean” is a project by Babylon ORCHESTRA which presents love songs, ballads, personal stories and newly written vocal pieces based on texts by authors who lived in the countries around the Mediterranean or have a relationship to it. Hence, the listener encounters a performance taking him through the history of the Mediterranean cultures. Two to three singers from Greece, Syria and Turkey and 7 to 16 musicians from various countries of the Middle East and Europe are performing together as a mixed ensemble with traditional and modern instruments. By using combinations of composed and improvised elements, acoustic and electric as well as electronic instruments, the ensemble creates a lively and dramatic, almost scenic performance showcasing the richness of this cultural heritage. Sephardic, Arabic, Turkish and Greek folk songs with new arrangements (like f.e. Smirneiko Minore from 1909 from Smyrna or Morena me liaman from Sephardic Jewish tradition in Spain) make the core of this concert program.

Availability upon request
Beethoven REMIKS
with Hani Mojtahedy (Kurdistan), singer

Mischa Tangian: Pieces on themes by L. v. Beethoven, u.a.

Babylon ORCHESTRA - Beethoven REMIKS 9 (variation)

REmikS (part 1) - by Tangian / Beethoven - Babylon ORCHESTRA @Musikbrauerei

Ludwig's Remix (part 4) - Santoor Scherzo

Availability on request
COOPERATION WITH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Programme example:
Johann Sebastian Bach: Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009, Bourrée I and II
Heitor Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9 for string orchestra, W 449
Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonoren Ouverture No. 3, Op. 72b
Babylon/Hani Mojtahedy: Improvisation
Antonín Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178, 2d movement “Largo” Mischa Tangian: The forgotten
Layale Chaker (Arr. L. Chaker/M. Tangian): Frah el Donniye
Hani Mojtahedy and Mischa Tangian (Arr. M. Tangian): Nour
Osama Abdulrasol: Sumerian harp
Isaac Albeniz (Arr. M. Tangian): Suite Española No. 5 “Asturias”
César Guerra-Peixe (Arr. M. Tangian): Mourão
Hermeto Pascoal (Arr. M. Tangian): O Ovo
Johann Sebastian Bach (Arr. M. Tangian): Flute Sonata in E-Flat major, BWV 1031: II, Siciliano
Charbel Rohana (Arr. M. Tangian): Sama’i Bayati

Excerpt from the concert of October 14, 2021 / Mensch – Musik – Über Brücken / Babylon Orchestra with the RSB

DOWNLOADS

–Babylon ORCHESTRA press photo 1

–Babylon ORCHESTRA press photo 2

–Babylon ORCHESTRA press photo 3

–Babylon ORCHESTRA press photo 4

–Biography (PDF)

–Projects 24/25 (PDF)

–Cooperation with symphony orchestras (PDF)

Ensemble Mini

Ensemble Mini is a courageous collective of supersonic soloists from German symphony orchestras that repackages super symphonic music for new audiences.

Often commissioning world premiere arrangements for innovative late-night projects, its mission is to revolutionise the style, sound and setting of classical concerts. This began in 2010 with “mini-Mahler” at Berlin’s Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal, followed by “Strauss 150: New Perspectives” at STATTBAD Berlin, “From Russia with Soul” at Griessmühle Berlin and “Bartók Beyond Borders” at Musikbrauerei Berlin.

Joolz Gale founded Ensemble Mini (comprised of soloists from the German orchestras) to build upon his vision to reach new audiences though new concert formats and alternative locations. Projects often include newly commissioned arrangements for ensemble by Joolz Gale himself (incl. Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben, Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Bartók’s Dance Suite, Debussy’s La Mer, Bruckner’s 9th, Prokofiev’s 5th and Shostakovich’s 9th & 10th Symphonies), for which he is represented and published by Schott, Sikorski and Boosey & Hawkes.

Remaining plans for 2022 include a return of “Bartók Beyond Borders” on tour as well as Mahler’s 3rd, Debussy’s Images and Bruckner’s 8th, all newly arranged by the ensemble’s artistic director, Joolz Gale.

VIDEO

PRESS

“An ideal case of closeness.”

Tagesspiegel Berlin, 4 August 2021

„The new great things are small… mini is irresistible..“

Tagesspiegel Berlin, 31 July 2021

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2023/24

–Overview projects 2023/24 (PDF)

EnsembleFreigeist_Projekte_EN_2425-1 Overview projects 2024/25 (PDF)

Availability upon request
GURRELIEDER – Anniversary 150th years Schoenberg
with Joolz Gale, direction // Narrator and soloist TBC // Freigeist choir

Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder was originally composed 1900-1913 for one of the largest ensembles (with 400 people on stage) including 6 soloists, 4 male choirs and large mixed choir. However, in 1921, Schoenberg also arranged “Lied der Waldtaube” for just 17 musicians, performing it in Vienna at Society for Private Musical Performances. In celebration of Schoenberg’s 150th anniversary in 2024, Joolz Gale will “complete” the Gurrelieder for this same ensemble instrumentation (known as “Schoenberg-Besetzung), but with an additional chamber choir and the original cast of soloists. With a total of only 35 artists on stage, this fascinating world premiere project thus adds intimate new light on one of classical music’s grandest works.

A. Schoenberg: Gurrelieder, arr. by Joolz Gale *Premiere*

Availability upon request
BRUCKNER 6,7, 8, 9 – 200th anniversary of Anton Bruckner
with Joolz Gale, direction

A. Bruckner:
Symphony No. 6 in A major WAB 106, arr. Gale *Premiere*
Symphony No. 7 E major WAB 107, arr. Gale *premiere*
Synphony No. 8 C minor WAB 108, arr. Gale
Symphony No. 9 in D minor WAB 109, arr. Gale

DOWNLOADS

Stegreif – The Improvising Symphony Orchestra

Without notes – without conductor – without chairs: Stegreif shows new ways of what a contemporary orchestra can look like today. In radical recompositions, the international musicians combine symphonic music with improvisation and influences from other genres and involve the audience in original spatial concepts. With these innovative concert formats, the young ensemble inspires a growing audience of different target groups.

Since the orchestra was founded in 2015, at least one new concert programme has been developed every year: #freebeethoven, #freeschubert, #freebrahms, #free∃roica, #bfree, #freemahler, #explore_mozart, #explorefreischütz, #bechange. In addition, co-productions have been realised with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and the young North German Philharmonic Orchestra (TRIKESTRA), among others. Stegreif has performed concerts renowned stages such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Elbphilharmonie the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Alte Oper Frankfurt, the Brucknerhaus Linz, the Radialsystem Berlin, the Beethovenfest Bonn or the Prinzregententheater Munich as well as at alternative alternative festivals such as FUSION, Detect Classic, PODIUM Esslingen, the Düsseldorf Festival or the Oranjewoud Festival (NL).

VIDEO

PRESS

„Es gab tosenden Trampel-Applaus und stehende Ovationen für diese grandiose Performance eines Ensemble, das „geliefert“ hatte.“

Reinhard Frank auf shz.de, 24.07.2022

„Ist gelungen! Bravo!“

Angelika Silberbach in der Mainpost, 19.07.2022

„Selten ist die Leidenschaft für Musik, die Virtuosität der einzelnen Stücke so nah erlebbar“

Ulrike Gerner in der taz, 12.10.2019

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2024/25

–Overview projects 2024/25 (PDF)

Dates available upon request
#IMPROPHONIE
A symphony from the moment

How can music emerge in the moment and in contact with the audience? Where do improvisation and composition meet? Can even an entire symphony be improvised?
Groove – movement – eye contact. The aim of #improphonie is to capture the magic of collective, free improvisation in its spontaneity and to give it a space as an independent work. space as an independent work. The individual strengths of the musicians become the driving energy and communication the actual composer. communication becomes the actual composer.

Artistic direction: Juri de Marco, Lorenz Blaumer
Concept, composition, musical direction: Bertram Burkert
Direction, choreography and conception: Lea Hladka
Costume and stage: Anja Kreher

Duration: approx 70 min

“The most striking overall impression was the atmosphere: away from the spectacular, theatral, merely entertaining, towards mindfulness, humility and appreciation.”

FAZ, 27 September 2022

Dates available upon request
symphony of change –
Final production of the project #bechange – 17 sounds of sustainability

In the symphony of change, Stegreif asks what this change sounds like. The musical arc is spanned from Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), Wilhelmine von Bayreuth (1709- 1785), Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) to Clara Schumann (1819-1896). Music history is revealed and rewritten when selected works by these historical composers are recomposed by five young and female ensemble members of the Stegreif Orchester and placed in a new context.

Premiere: planned for August 2023
Cast: 24 musicians
Artistic direction: Juri de Marco / Lorenz Blaumer
Recomposition/Arrangement: Nina Kazourian, Tabea Schrenk, Julia Bilat, Helena Weinstock-Montag, Franziska Aller
Co-Artistic Direction Composition: Alistair Duncan
Direction, Choreography: David Fernandez

DOWNLOADS

–Stegreif Orchester – press photo 1

–Stegreif Orchester – press photo 2

–Stegreif Orchester – press photo 3

–Stegreif Orchester – press photo 4

–Biography (PDF)

–Projects 24/25 (PDF)

Molyvos International Music Festival

The Molyvos International Music Festival (MIMF) was founded in 2015 by the German-Greek pianists Danae and Kiveli Dörken and the young entrepreneur Dimitris Tryfon. Since then, the focus has been on ensuring the high quality of the festival held annually in Lesbos and its year-round musical youth support program “Musical Key”. The aim is to offer classical music on a world-class level for residents and visitors to the island, to promote cross-border cultural cooperation and an intercultural dialogue, as well as to support the development of the region as a cultural center with specially designed mediation and inclusion measures.

MIMF unites young musicians from all over the world and world stars of classical music to exclusive chamber music ensembles. The central venue is the medieval castle of Molyvos, in addition, there will be pre-festival activities with free entrances on the two islands Lesbos and Chios, short special concerts (“Molyvos Musical Moments”) in public places on Molyvos and a moderated children’s concert followed by a meeting between audience and the artist. Every year, the program deals with a topic that reflects the rich Greek culture and puts it in a current context; In 2020, the motto “Odyssey” illuminates the subject of flight and migration. A deeper engagement with it takes place in the context of a public symposium. Since 2018, the Tryfon Arts Residency has been part of the interdisciplinary festival.

After “Metamorphoses”, “Crossroads”, “Catharsis”, “Genesis” and “Dia-logos”, „odyssey“ the festival 2021 illuminated the thematic complex „ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ – LIBERTY – FREIHEIT“.

The festival edition “ODYSSEE” from 11 to 19 August 2022 is inspired by Homer’s epic about Odysseus’ adventure journey, which Danae and Kiveli, as Greek women, have known by heart since childhood. “We all know the story, which is a symbol of human willpower, strength and inventiveness. […] With this theme, we want to shine a spotlight on the journeys people embark on in the most difficult and unpredictable circumstances in the hope of a better future.”

For MIMF 2022, Danae and Kiveli have invited over 15 companions from the international classical music scene. Among them are violinists Antje Weithaas and Clemence de Forceville, cellist Benedict Kloeckner, clarinettist Sebastian Manz, violist Adrien La Marca, guitarist Petrit Ceku and soprano Danae Kontora.

VIDEO

DOWNLOADS

–Molyvos 2020 press picture 1

–Molyvos 2020 press picture 2

–Molyvos 2020 press picture 3

Aga Khan Music Programme

Aga Khan Music Programme was established by Karim Aga Khan with the aim of supporting outstanding musicians and music teachers in preserving and communicating their musical heritage, developing it in contemporary forms and disseminating it worldwide through concerts and recordings. The programme initiates and implements country-specific action programmes to support the revitalisation and preservation of cultural heritage. Under this premise, special programme series in which outstanding renowned artists present new compositions, improvisations and arrangements of a repertoire strongly inspired by the respective tradition are developed, among other things. The programmes always represent artistic encounters between time-honoured traditions and contemporary forms, as a new generation of top-class musicians further develops and varies old musical traditions. The encounter of different cultures thus gives rise to a unique musical creativity.

The Aga Khan Music Programme strives with top-class musicians from the Near and Far East, Africa and the countries of the former Soviet Union to preserve the rich and varied heritage of classical music traditions from around the world and introduce them in Europe. From 15th to 17th February 2019, the Aga Khan Music Programme visited Germany for the first time, presenting the multi-faceted classical music of the Silk Road in four concerts at the Konzerthaus Dortmund, including a school concert. Renowned musicians, such as the Chinese pipa player Wu Ma, the Syrian composer and musician Basel Rajoub or Dutar and tanbur player Sirojiddin Juraev, combined music traditions of their countries with improvisation and borrowings from the Western jazz tradition in their performances. The multimedia concert Qyrq Qyz – Forty Girls reflected both musically and figuratively a centuries-old saga of Central Asia that could possibly change the Western view of women’s images of the East.

VIDEO

PRESS

„Es ist nachhaltig beeindruckend zu sehen, welch schwindelerregend intellektuelle Leistungen klassischen Musikern in der Türkei, in Thailand und Java abverlangt werden.”

Michael Church, Old and New Music from the Ends of the Silk Route, 2016, 2

„Ein musikalisch hoch eindrucksvoller Abend, nicht zuletzt, um sich über das Fremde im Anderen und im eigenen Wesen klarzuwerden”

Eva-Maria Reuther im Volksfreund, 12.08.2019