By Konzerthaus Berlin
Konzerthaus Berlin
Offering people an understanding of music – this is our fundamental concern. A number of special concert formats give you the chance to become inspired by classical music. Presentations from the conductor’s podium, family concerts to join in and discover, late-night formats… and these are just a sampling. We are convinced that music affects everyone and brings people together! In this selection, you can find out more about the surprising formats that are only found here.
"Right in the Middle" from above (2014) by Frank LoeschnerKonzerthaus Berlin
The series "Right in the Middle" has existed since 2014 – and the name can be taken literally! Pick your favourite spot in the midst of the orchestra and experience music up-close and personally. Several times per season, we offer you this special change of perspective in the Great Hall – true to our motto: Right in the thick of things, not just on the sidelines. The series has even made it into the New York Times.
With around 100 concerts per season, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin shapes the artistic programme and the overall sound of the concert hall on Gendarmenmarkt. The results are worth listening to: with some 12,000 subscribers, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin is among the orchestras with the highest number of regular visitors in Europe.
Each season, the Konzerthaus Berlin hosts an Artist in Residence, who extends the musical programme of the concert hall. Artists in Residence have already included the pianist Arcadi Volodos, violinist Julia Fischer, cellist Sol Gabetta and countertenor Philippe Jaroussky. For the 2016/17 season, the choice fell on the violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja; her successor was the organist Cameron Carpenter. For the 2018/19 season, the Konzerthaus Berlin welcomes the Hungarian pianist András Schiff as Artist in Residence.
Once a season, we honour an outstanding composer with a ten-day tribute. With concerts, films, an exhibition and much more, we devote ourselves to his or her life and work. Among those honoured have been Yehudi Menuhin, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Leonard Bernstein, Alfred Brendel and Kurt Sanderling.
Chansons from France, South American rhythms, Russian folklore or jazz from the USA: every season, we showcase the music of a guest country at the Konzerthaus Berlin in our national festival. Over ten days, visitors can not only listen to the respective music, but also enjoy a matching culinary offer and country-specific decorations.
Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Dvorák... the list of unparalleled composers in music history is long. Each season, we focus on one of the greats and dedicate a full-day marathon to him.
On that day, everything revolves around this one composer. In addition to professionals on stage, the spotlight also shines on new talents, who can try out various instruments. Taking part is not only possible, but desired – turning this marathon into a stroll in the park!
"Hear it Twice" presenters Christian Jost and Arno Lücker (from left) by Marco BorggreveKonzerthaus Berlin
The series "2 x hören" (Hear it Twice) presents fascinating works from classical music as well as newer music in an original way. Listen to the selected piece with fresh ears – without an introduction or programme booklet. Only afterwards will our presenters give you important information about the work, which is then repeated.
Violin virtuoso and clever show host in one? Daniel Hope is both! Four times a year, the star violinist invites prominent guests over for music and conversation in the Werner Otto Hall, which is converted into a salon for this purpose. Among others, legendary pianist Menahem Pressler and Federal Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schäuble have been guests on stage.
Whether the world-famous sitar player Anoushka Shankar, American jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, pop pianist Chilly Gonzales or Portuguese Fado queen Mariza, we always try to leave the boundaries between "serious" and "light" music behind. Our series "Klazzik" presents true modern classics. After all, who doesn’t want to dance and sing along in the concert hall?
Here’s a recipe to combat afternoon sleepiness: caffeine for the ears! Pamper yourself at 2 p.m. with an espresso and 45 minutes of music before going back to work. A surprise awaits you with each new programme, performed and moderated by members of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin as well as outstanding young talents.
Get ready for breakfast with Wolfgang on Sunday mornings! At our Mozart Matinee, parents and kids can experience a moderated concert in the Great Hall after croissants, coffee and cocoa, with musical supervision provided for younger siblings aged three and up.
We want every family member to feel at home in the Konzerthaus Berlin. Whether with special family concerts, musical theatre or instrument presentations – almost everything can be touched and shared in our Junior Programme. And that’s a lot more fun than just sitting still in your seat.
The virtual reality glasses in the Konzerthaus Berlin by Pablo CastagnolaKonzerthaus Berlin
In 2016, the Konzerthaus Berlin launched the “Virtual Konzerthaus”, a three-year project focusing on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and educational gaming: a comprehensive, state-of-the-art system for making music accessible to the public. Since May 2018, the project has presented five digital installations in the vestibule. In the free exhibition, visitors become acquainted with the architecture and history of the concert hall through the app “Konzerthaus Plus”. One can also take a seat in the midst of the Konzerthausorchester with VR glasses. The project is being conducted in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Berlin and is funded by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund).
The “Virtual Quartet” in the Konzerthaus Berlin by Pablo CastagnolaKonzerthaus Berlin
One component of the digital exhibition is the world’s first interactive string quartet in augmented reality. After scanning the playing cards with the app “Konzerthaus Plus”, the Konzerthaus Quartet musicians appear and perform the beginning of Franz Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden”. The cards can be changed at will, allowing visitors to also listen to an individual instrument.
© Konzerthaus Berlin
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