YOUNG AND DIFFERENT - ANDREAS RICHTER

The Sarahbanda

The Sarahbanda grew out of Sarah Willis’s idea to firmly integrate the classical horn into a Cuban band for the first time—an idea inspired by her successful project Mozart y Mambo. To realize this vision, she brought together an ensemble of outstanding Cuban musicians who share her passion for salsa, son, and mambo, blending these styles with new and distinctive sound colors.

The band’s debut album was released in 2024, featuring fresh arrangements of popular Cuban classics as well as original compositions, including works by Jorge Aragón, Edgar Olivero, and other members of the ensemble. While always remaining true to the Cuban tradition, the Sarahbanda continues to develop and expand it. The ensemble regularly appears at major festivals and concert venues, including the Lucerne Festival, the Rheingau Music Festival, the Berlin Philharmonie, and Schloss Elmau. In 2025, their second album, Cuban Christmas, was released by Deutsche Grammophon.

VIDEO

PRESS

“The fire and the underlying passion of Cuban music smoldered throughout the entire evening. (…) Nothing here was showy or overstated; everything came across as completely authentic.”

Mainpost, 17 October 2025

„Willis’s ever imaginative and skilful playing brings its own character to the variety of Cuban popular dance explored here.“

BBC Music Magazine, November 2024

„Sarah Willis’ desire to combine the incandescent character of these works with her unique vision of musicality has been fulfilled beautifully.“

El mundo clásico, 17. September 2024

PROJECTS 2027/28 – A SELECTION

–Projects 2025/26 (PDF)

Dates upon request

THE SARAHBANDA

The Sarahbanda’s program combines classical works and Cuban music into a stylistically distinctive, high-energy sound world. At its core is the idea of shaping traditional Cuban dance rhythms—son, mambo, guaracha, bolero, and guajira—through new arrangements in which the horn is organically integrated into the typical Cuban banda instrumentation.

The repertoire includes both iconic Cuban classics such as Sandunguera, Chan Chan, Pare Cochero, La Comparsa, and Guajira Sencilla, as well as original compositions by the musicians themselves, for example by Yuniet Lombida or Aylín Pino. These works are presented in contemporary, often subtly and imaginatively expanded arrangements that highlight the interplay between horn, saxophone, violin, piano, and percussion. The program is further enriched by newly reimagined versions of European works—including Mozart’s Romanza and Bizet’s Habanera—which are reinvented in a Cuban style without losing their melodic identity.

Dates upon request

CUBAN CHRISTMAS

With Cuban Christmas, the Sarahbanda presents an extraordinary holiday program that casts well-known international classics in a new, warm, and rhythmically pulsating light. Familiar Christmas melodies—from Jingle Bells and Silent Night to The Christmas Song—are intertwined with the rich tradition of Cuban dance music. Salsa, danzón, bolero, son, and mambo are not used as mere stylistic decoration; instead, they form the musical foundation into which the themes of the original works are woven.

Many arrangements originate from Sarahbanda’s close artistic circle, including Edgar Olivero and Jorge Aragón, who understand how to combine the characteristic colours of Cuban music with chamber music refinement. In addition, there are arrangements of classical works, such as a reimagined intermezzo from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite or an arrangement from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, both of which take on a ‘Christmassy’ Cuban character without losing their Baroque structure.

“This is for those who want something different, and something hot.”

The Times, 18 December 2025

“You can’t sit still to this one.”

The Observer, 7 December 2025

“The Cuban Nutcracker Suite is not to be missed: ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ is a touch of percussive genius.”

Gramophone, 9 December 2025

DOWNLOADS

–THE SARAHBANDA press photo 1

–THE SARAHBANDA presse photo 2

–Biography THE SARAHBANDA (PDF)

–Projects 2026/27 (PDF)

BRYGGEN – Bruges Strings

From its home port of Bruges, string orchestra BRYGGEN boldly sets course for the North, along the routes of the Hanseatic League, all the way to Scandinavia and the Baltic. In search of new sounds and connection to the wide world around. With united/unified forces, now moving against the current, then harmoniously bathing in the tranquillity of immeasurably deep fjords.

BRYGGEN is a fresh and dynamic string orchestra for whom innovation is key, whether in terms of repertoire or performance. Every BRYGGEN concert is an experience, both for the audience and the performers. Founded by artistic director Jolente De Maeyer, the ensemble explores the soundscape of Scandinavia and the Baltic, complemented with keyworks from 20th and 21st century postmodern music.

BRYGGEN strongly believes in the power of the string orchestra and in the added value that playing music in a smaller group offers in terms of sound, interaction, communication and focus. The ensemble works without a conductor and makes every effort to bring contemporary music to the heart of the audience not only through their ears but also through their eyes. The symbiosis between text, music, image and performance is therefore in the DNA of the projects that BRYGGEN carefully develops alongside narrators, actors, writers, directors, choreographers, dancers, choir, performance artists and more. For BRYGGEN, the future is very diverse.

VIDEO

PRESS REVIEWS

‘Bryggen’s interpretation is a bit like allowing yourself a moment of meditation, free, in the sun and under an open sky.’

crescendo, 22 July 2022

PROJECT 2027/28

16 November – 14 December 2027
16 January – 22 February 2028 and upon request
Max Richter Four Seasons Recomposed with dance: four seasons changed

four seasons changed reimagines Max Richter’s iconic music Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons as a choreographed reflection on change as a powerful, yet vulnerable mode of living. BRYGGEN string ensemble not only plays but moves throughout the performance in endlessly varying patterns. Alongside the musicians, a solitary dancer weaves between the strings, both acting as a counterpart and highlighting the emotional structure of the composition.

Bryggen_four seasons changed © Bjorn Comhaire

Chief choreographer Michiel Vandevelde understands dance history as a “living archive” and links each season to an influential choreographic tradition:

Spring: Inspired by Isadora Duncan.
Summer: Based on Anna Halprin.
Autumn: A tribute to Pina Bausch.
Winter: Guided by Trisha Brown.

DOWNLOADS

–BRYGGEN Press Photo 1

–BRYGGEN Press Photo 2

–Biography (PDF)

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 2026/27

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 Press Photo 1

–The Once and Future Press Photo 2

–The Once and Future Press Photo 3

–The Once and Future Press Photo 4

–Presentation dossier

Mozart y Mambo

How Mozart’s music can sound today when it meets Cuban rhythm, joy of playing, and vibrant energy is demonstrated by Mozart y Mambo—an extraordinary project centered around horn player Sarah Willis (Berlin Philharmonic) and the Havana Lyceum Orchestra under the musical direction of Pepe Méndez.

Mozart y Mambo has established itself internationally as a major success. Three highly acclaimed albums released by Alpha Classics document the artistic development of the project and have significantly contributed to its global recognition. Concerts have taken the ensemble to renowned concert halls and major festivals across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, where they have been met with enthusiastic responses from audiences and critics alike.

The concerts of Mozart y Mambo are musical events full of energy and joie de vivre: they invite audiences to dance along, combine the highest level of musical excellence with a strong sense of connection to the audience, and often end with standing ovations — and a smile that lingers long after the final note.

The project gave rise to Sarah Willis’ own salsa band, The SARAHBANDA.

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

Projects 2027/28

–Projects 2027/28 (PDF)

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)

–Projects 2027/28 (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.

The pianists for the 2025/26 season are Eloïse Bella Kohn and Itamar Carmeli.

Building Bridges website

VIDEO

PIANISTS 2026/27

–Overview projects 2026/27 (PDF)

Availability upon request
Hyunji Kim

W. A. Mozart: Piano Sonata in B flat Major K 570 (18 min)
F. Chopin: 4 Mazurkas Op. 17 (13 min)
C. Debussy: Études pour piano, Livre II (27 min)

Availability upon request
Anna Pismak

F. Chopin: Ballade No.1 in g-minor, Op.23 (9 min)
R. Schumann: Drei Fantasiestücke, Op.111 (11 min)
P. Tchaikovsky: Grand Sonata in G-major, Op.37 (29 min)

Availability upon request
Isa Trotta

J. S. Bach: Partita No. 2 in C Minor BWV 826 (20 min)
L. v. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major Op. 14 No. 1 (15 min)
R. Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien Op. 26 (22 min)

DOWNLOADS

–Projekte 2025-26 (PDF)

–Projekte 2026-27 (PDF)

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

Building Bridges website

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.

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
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

‘A Bruckner symphony in an interactive format: it’s one of the most goosebump-inducing moments of the evening and pure magic. Rarely do you experience the urgency and exceptional character of this music first-hand as was the case here.’

Urs Mattenberger in der Luzerner Zeitung, 12.09.2024

‘There was thunderous applause and standing ovations for this magnificent performance by an ensemble that had ‘delivered’.’

Reinhard Frank on shz.de, 24.07.2022

‘It’s a success! Bravo!’

Angelika Silberbach in Mainpost, 19.07.2022

‘The passion for music and the virtuosity of the individual pieces can rarely be experienced so closely.’

Ulrike Gerner in taz, 12.10.2019

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2027/28

–Overview projects 2027/28 (PDF)

Dates upon request
#FREE∃ROICA
Beethovens dritte Sinfonie – ohne Noten, Dirigent*in und Stühle
Sebastian Caspar, musical leader // Mike Conrad & Alistair Duncan, Recomposition & Arrangement

free∃roica about revolutions – historical and musical – and the heroes they brought forth. The orchestra strives towards them without sheet music, without a conductor and without chairs, and in doing so also looks for the small disorders. For example;these disruptions “only” consist of entering the concert hall without shoes or taking the audience on a journey from 18th century France to the present.

L. v. Beethoven: Symphony no. 3 in E-falt major op. 55