Category: SPECIAL PROJECTS

The Once and Future

“The Once and Future” combines film, music, laser choreography, and AI in a unique way, creating a captivating journey that explores and questions geographical, physical, and spiritual boundaries, pushing them to new limits. Along the way, the focus turns to Earth, facing the threat of complete destruction, raising questions about the potential future of humanity and the possible locations for it to unfold.

Award-winning director Yeo Siew Hua from Singapore explores these questions in his film, shot in Argentina during the pandemic, using subtle yet compelling visuals that capture and extend Eugene Birman’s congenial and highly virtuosic music. Birman’s composition is interpreted by the ZeMu! Ensemble Berlin, a group of members from the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Stanley Dodds, and the Indian librettist and vocal soloist Anandi Bhattacharya, who performs as embodied Artificial Intelligence.

This multimedia work premiered at the Singapore International Arts Festival in 2022 and was repeated a year later at the New Vision Arts Festival in Hong Kong.

VIDEO

PRESS

„The most stunning and divisive work at the festival… Yeo Siew Hua’s ambitious and multidisciplinary epic that features film, theatre, laser display… and Berliner Philharmoniker’s gorgeous postmodern music composed by Eugene Birman“

Business Times (SG)

„The production does not aim at sensory overload; rather, it sneaks up on the viewer, delivering a string of unexpected pleasures“

Straits Times (SG)

Project 2024/25

Dates upon request

The Once and Future

In ‘The Once and Future,’ an expanded cinema experience is created through combining hi-power laser tracking, cross-over vocal performance, and AI-assisted libretto, with the virtuosic artistry of the Berliner Philharmoniker members and a new film shot in 12K by acclaimed Singaporean director Yeo Siew Hua.

With the participation of the singer Anandi Bhattacharya, the composer Eugene Birman, the conductor Stanley Dodds, the director Yeo Siew Hua, and the ZeMu! Ensemble. The ZeMu! Ensemble is the latest ensemble emerging from the ranks of the world-famous Berliner Philharmoniker, dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking technology and crossover projects with new media in classical music. ‘The Once and Future’ is its debut project.

DOWNLOADS

–The Once and Future Pressefoto 1
–The Once and Future Pressefoto 2
–The Once and Future Pressefoto 3
–The Once and Future Pressefoto 4
–Presentation dossier

Galilee Chamber Orchestra

The Galilee Chamber Orchestra, founded by the Polyphony Education Association, is the first professional orchestra in Israel consisting of Arab and Jewish musicians. Under the direction of conductor and pianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar, the orchestra brings together talented young musicians with leading members of Israeli orchestras to offer its audience a fresh sound and unique energy without compromising on quality. The orchestra performs regularly in Israel and has completed successful tours throughout Europe and America, including performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Corner Hall in Toronto, Konzerthaus Berlin, Christuskirche Hannover, Osnabrücker Musikfestival, and Rheingau Festival. It has also collaborated with world-renowned musicians such as violinist Joshua Bell, cellist Lynn Harrell, and pianist András Schiff.

VIDEO

PRESS

“The Power of Collaboration – The Galilee Chamber Orchestra with Arab and Jewish Musicians Delights at Christuskirche”

Hannoversche Allgemeine

“So much lightness, brilliance, and polished dialogues! One cannot play this Beethoven symphony any better!”

RBB Kultur Radio

DOWNLOADS

–Galilee Chamber Orchestra press picture 1
–Galilee Chamber Orchestra press picture 2
–Galilee Chamber Orchestra press picture 3
Galilee-Bio-ENBiography (PDF)

Mozart y Mambo

Sarah Willis, the charismatic horn player of the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Lyceum Orchestra showcase how Mozart could sound in the Caribbean with their successful project “Mozart y Mambo.” Originally founded by Pepe Méndez and his friends and classmates from the ISA (Instituto Superior de Artes) and ENA (Escuelas Nacionales de Arte), the orchestra brings a unique blend of classical and Caribbean influences.

With the support of the renowned Balthasar-Neumann Ensemble, the orchestra gained significant recognition with the release of their first Mozart y Mambo album. The Mozart y Mambo project combines the rhythmic music of Mozart with the vibrant joy of Cuba, captivating people all around the world during their tours.

VIDEO

PRESS

„He (Mozart) would certainly have liked this lively approach.“

Tagesspiegel Berlin, 12 August 2023

„I was similarly impressed by the elegance and flair of the Cuban sections – some of them riffs on Mozart, while others are drawn from traditional Cuban songs and dances.“

Gramophone Magazin, May 2023

„The incredible energy and rhythmic sensibility of the young and talented orchestral musicians was captured wonderfully.“

BR Klassik, 18 July 2020

Project 2024/25

Dates upon request

Mozart y Mambo – with Sarah Willis in Kuba

A unique musical encounter in Havana: The successful project with Sarah Willis combines popular solo pieces for the horn by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with traditional Cuban music. The program includes music from the first three released CDs.

DOWNLOADS

–Mozart y Mambo press picture 1
–Mozart y Mambo press picture 2
–Mozart y Mambo press picture 3
–Biography Havana Lyceum Orchestra (PDF)
–Biography Sarah Willis (PDF)

Franui

Franui is an Austrian music band named after an alpine meadow in Innervillgraten. They have been playing together since 1993 with almost unchanged lineup and are known for their reinterpretations of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Mahler. Their musical concept combines classical music, folk music, jazz, and contemporary chamber music.

In their concerts and music theater productions, the musicians collaborate with outstanding stage partners. Franui’s recordings have been awarded multiple prizes. The Musicbanda of the same name has been playing in almost unchanged formation since 1993 and has been a guest at many festivals and concert organizers (including Wiener Konzerthaus, Burgtheater Wien, Salzburger Festspiele, Bregenzer Festspiele, Ruhrtriennale, Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin, Münchner Opernfestspiele, Isarphilharmonie München, Philharmonie Köln, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Schauspielhaus Zürich, Holland Festival, Klarafestival Brussels, Philharmonie de Paris).

VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhhsbLc84Ow

PRESS

“Always sensed, never heard like this before.”

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

“A fantastic sound, contemporary, vibrant, harmonious. World-class. Top, but addictive.”

Kurier

PROJEKT 2024/25

Franui-2425-ENPROJECT 2024/25

30.10 – 09.11.2024 and upon request! Mahler Project: Where I am going  

Music by Gustav Mahler, Carl Loewe, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and others.

When the East Tyrolean Musicbanda Franui and the Choir of the Bavarian Radio come together, the music of Gustav Mahler becomes the focal point. While the ten musicians of Franui uncover Mahler’s folk music inspirations, break down large-scale orchestral songs into a pocket-sized version, and fearlessly tailor the sound costume to contemporary standards, the Choir of the Bavarian Radio is particularly at home in Mahler’s large-scale symphonic music.

Together, the two ensembles shed new light on Mahler’s music through arrangements or “post-compositions” by Markus Kraler/Andreas Schett and Howard Arman, encompassing its pre-life and afterlife. Starting with the influences that shaped the young Mahler – including several songs by Carl Loewe at the beginning – the program freely and associatively follows the famous “Farewell” from Mahler’s masterpiece Song of the Earth, which was created in Toblach. “Where am I going?” it says at the end, “I am going, I am wandering into the mountains. I seek tranquility for my lonely heart.”

DOWNLOADS

–Franui press picture 1
–Franui press picture 1
Bio-Franui-2023-EN-Biography (PDF)
Franui-2425-ENProjects 2023/24 (PDF)

Concerto Copenhagen & Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

On the occasion of Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday, Concerto Copenhagen and the Estonian Chamber Choir, conducted by Grammy winner Tõnu Kaljuste, unite to combine works by the jubilarian with his great role model George Frideric Handel.

Since 1991, Concerto Copenhagen (CoCo) has been recognized as a leading orchestra for early music, Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic repertoire. CoCo combines artistic authenticity and innovation through original and uncompromising interpretations that breathe new life into the music and make it relevant once again for a modern audience. The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPK) is one of the most renowned Estonian music ensembles in the world. Founded in 1981 by Tõnu Kaljuste, the EPK has been led by artistic director and chief conductor Kaspars Putniņš since the 2014/2015 season. The choir’s repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant to 21st-century music.

VIDEO

PROJECT 24/25

Dates upon request

Pärt and Händel with Tõnu Kaljuste, musical direction

To celebrate Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday, Concerto Copenhagen and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, conducted by Grammy winner Tõnu Kaljuste, unite to combine works by the jubilarian with his great role model George Frideric Handel.

A. Pärt:

Silouan’s Song / Festina Lente für Orchester Trisagion / Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten für Orchester Stabat Mater / Berliner Messe für Chor und Orchester

G. F. Händel:

Concerto grosso Op. 6, Nr. 5 für Orchester Dixit Dominus für Solisten, Chor und Orchester

DOWNLOADS

–Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Presse Foto 1
–Concerto Copenhagen press picture 2
Bio-Concerto-Copenhagen-2023-ENBiography Concerto Copenhagen (PDF)
Bio-Estonian-Chamber-Choir-ENBiography Estonian Chamber Choir (PDF)
Paert Haendel ProjectProjects 2024/25 (PDf)

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 2024/25

–Overview projects 2024/25 (PDF)

Availability upon request
Tähe-Lee Liiv

A. Pärt: Partita, 1958
J. Sibelius: Selection from the 10 Pieces, Op. 24, 1903
E. Grieg: Ballade in the Form of Variations on a Norwegian Folk Song in G minor, Op. 24, 1875
E. Rautavaara: Études Op. 42, 1969

Availability upon request
Jérémie Moreau

J. S. Bach: French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816
B. Bartók: Out of Doors, Sz. 81
F. Chopin: Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58

Availability upon request
Chloe Jiyeong Mun

J. Haydn: Piano Sonata in C Major, Hob.XVI:48
C. Debussy: Estampes, L.100
F. Schubert: Piano Sonata No.19 in c minor, D.958

DOWNLOADS

–Projects 2024-25 (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)

Freigeist Ensemble

Freigeist Ensemble 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 Freigeist Ensemble 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 2025/26

–Overview projects 2025/26 (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 – 2024 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

–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 1
–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 2
–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 3
–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 4
–Ensemble Mini press photo 5
–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 6
–Biography (PDF)
–Biography Joolz Gale (PDF)
–Projects 2025/26 (PDF)

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

navinafotografiert-193595Stegreif Orchester – press photo 1
Copy-of-BILD_bfree_2-C-NAVINAFOTOGRAFIERTStegreif Orchester – press photo 2
DSC_1829_┬®Kasseler-Musiktage_Bernd-SchoelzchenStegreif Orchester – press photo 3

DSC_2147_┬®Kasseler-Musiktage_Bernd-SchoelzchenStegreif Orchester – press photo 4
–Biography (PDF)
–Projects 24/25 (PDF)