Biennale

Kirill Petrenko conducts the German premiere of Srnka’s “Superorganisms”

Under the title Paradise lost? On the Threat to Nature, the Berliner Philharmoniker and chief conductor Kirill Petrenko open their third Biennale. One work that ideally reflects the theme is Beethoven’s “Pastoral”, which exuberantly celebrates the beauty of country life. However, the idyll proves to be fragile and is swept away by an apocalyptic storm. Miroslav Srnka’s work Superorganisms, heard here in its German premiere, embodies a completely different kind of natural phenomenon. It depicts life forms that can only exist in a community in a fascinating way. The concert opens with Arcana, by Edgard Varèse; The title refers to 16th-century alchemist and astrologer Paracelsus, who sought universal knowledge, and believed that the stars could help understand human healing.

Kirill Petrenko conducts the German premiere of Srnka’s “Superorganisms”

Under the title Paradise lost? On the Threat to Nature, the Berliner Philharmoniker and chief conductor Kirill Petrenko open their third Biennale. One work that ideally reflects the theme is Beethoven’s “Pastoral”, which exuberantly celebrates the beauty of country life. However, the idyll proves to be fragile and is swept away by an apocalyptic storm. Miroslav Srnka’s work Superorganisms, heard here in its German premiere, embodies a completely different kind of natural phenomenon. It depicts life forms that can only exist in a community in a fascinating way. The concert opens with Arcana, by Edgard Varèse; The title refers to 16th-century alchemist and astrologer Paracelsus, who sought universal knowledge, and believed that the stars could help understand human healing.

Film screening “Suites4nature”

The German cellist Tanja Tetzlaff plays J.S. Bach’s cello suites no. 4 to 6 – in the midst of wounded nature scarred by climate change. A musically and visually moving plea for more mindfulness and humility towards the beauty of our planet. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Tanja Tetzlaff and Heinz von Loesch. How to find us, address and more

Kirill Petrenko conducts the German premiere of Srnka’s “Superorganisms”

Under the title Paradise lost? On the Threat to Nature, the Berliner Philharmoniker and chief conductor Kirill Petrenko open their third Biennale. One work that ideally reflects the theme is Beethoven’s “Pastoral”, which exuberantly celebrates the beauty of country life. However, the idyll proves to be fragile and is swept away by an apocalyptic storm. Miroslav Srnka’s work Superorganisms, heard here in its German premiere, embodies a completely different kind of natural phenomenon. It depicts life forms that can only exist in a community in a fascinating way. The concert opens with Arcana, by Edgard Varèse; The title refers to 16th-century alchemist and astrologer Paracelsus, who sought universal knowledge, and believed that the stars could help understand human healing.

Late Night “Cantando hacia el Sur”

In his music, Lucas Dorado explores the sounds and rhythms of the musical and natural landscapes of Latin America. His compositions tell of the animals, flowers and trees of South America – of their lush diversity and magnificent beauty, and also of the threat to their dwindling habitat, which is a place of melancholic longing. The ensemble interweaves diverse rhythmic structures with jazz harmonies. Vibraphone and cello meet vocals – with Latin American percussion.How to find us, address and more

Family concert of the Biennale “Pastorale”

In this series, the Berliner Philharmoniker and guests spark enthusiasm for classical music and take a closer look at the art of composing. In moderated concerts, they demonstrate the sound colours of the instruments or show how nature can sound.

Biennale »Paradise lost?« “The Four Seasons” with the Freiburger Barockorchester

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker Piano recital with Alexander Melnikov

Was the world a better place in the Romantic era? Alexander Melnikov explores this question through his piano recital – following the theme of our Biennale entitled Paradise lost? On the threat to nature. With Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy, Melnikov leads you through idyllic landscapes and man-made chasms, reveals the poetry of Schumann’s Waldszenen, and shows atmospheric images of nature in Franz Liszt’s piano works. The forest appears here as a place of retreat – from the self and from encroaching industrialisation. By contrast, Alexander Scriabin prophesies the destruction of the world in the grand conflagration of Vers la flamme.

Discourse at the Philharmonie “Is climate change disappearing from the political agenda?”

Marine biologist Antje Boetius and sociologist Steffen Mau discuss a controversial issue with Christiane Florin.

Biennale “Paradise lost?” Marin Alsop conducts images of nature

Nature, its beauty, its endangerment: These are the themes of our Biennale and of this concert, which takes us around the world. It begins with a new work by Finnish composer Outi Tarkiainen, whose work is strongly inspired by her native Lapland. Brett Dean’s Fire Music in turn refers to a devastating bushfire in Australia in 2009. Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring takes us on to North America, while Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Chôros No. 10 echoes the birdsong of the Amazon. Marin Alsop makes her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Biennale “Paradise lost?” Marin Alsop conducts images of nature

Nature, its beauty, its endangerment: These are the themes of our Biennale and of this concert, which takes us around the world. It begins with a new work by Finnish composer Outi Tarkiainen, whose work is strongly inspired by her native Lapland. Brett Dean’s Fire Music in turn refers to a devastating bushfire in Australia in 2009. Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring takes us on to North America, while Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Chôros No. 10 echoes the birdsong of the Amazon. Marin Alsop makes her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Biennale “Paradise lost?” Marin Alsop conducts images of nature

Nature, its beauty, its endangerment: These are the themes of our Biennale and of this concert, which takes us around the world. It begins with a new work by Finnish composer Outi Tarkiainen, whose work is strongly inspired by her native Lapland. Brett Dean’s Fire Music in turn refers to a devastating bushfire in Australia in 2009. Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring takes us on to North America, while Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Chôros No. 10 echoes the birdsong of the Amazon. Marin Alsop makes her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Late Night Music for the movie “All the beauty and the bloodshed”

Amidst an exhibition of works by the famous American photographer Nan Goldin, you can hear the music for the film All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (Laura Poitras), which focuses on Goldin’s fight against the USA’s opioid crisis.How to find us, address and more

Terminal Infinity

Terminal Infinity is an immersive audiovisual performance installation. Using music, dance and lighting design, it addresses the transition of humans into an increasingly digital world, reflecting on the effects of technological progress on our environment and our identity. How to find us, address and more

hORA church service “Paradise lost”

Church service as part of the Biennale 2025

hORA church service “Paradise lost”

Church service as part of the Biennale 2025

Film screening: “Geographies of Solitude”

For decades, ecologist Zoe Lucas has been researching the flora and fauna on Sable Island, a remote island off the east coast of Canada, and documenting an ecosystem largely unaffected by human influence. Experimental filmmaker Jacquelyn Mills accompanies her, capturing her meticulous work on 16 mm film and immersing herself in the deep structures and beauty of life by editing and distorting the material. Nature appears as an overwhelming place of stillness and perpetual growth and decay, with large quantities of plastic waste highlighting the threat to this world.

Film screening: “Geographies of Solitude”

For decades, ecologist Zoe Lucas has been researching the flora and fauna on Sable Island, a remote island off the east coast of Canada, and documenting an ecosystem largely unaffected by human influence. Experimental filmmaker Jacquelyn Mills accompanies her, capturing her meticulous work on 16 mm film and immersing herself in the deep structures and beauty of life by editing and distorting the material. Nature appears as an overwhelming place of stillness and perpetual growth and decay, with large quantities of plastic waste highlighting the threat to this world.

Terminal Infinity

Terminal Infinity is an immersive audiovisual performance installation. Using music, dance and lighting design, it addresses the transition of humans into an increasingly digital world, reflecting on the effects of technological progress on our environment and our identity. How to find us, address and more

School concert Terminal Infinity

Terminal Infinity is an audiovisual, performative and immersive installation. Using music, dance and lighting design, it addresses the transition of humans into an increasingly technological world and reflects on the effects of technological progress on our environment and our identity.

Science, Talk and Music

In search of the hidden biodiversity of Berlin’s cemeteries: Researchers Katharina and Parm von Oheimb explore the fascinating world of snails. Join the pair as they set off on the trail of the slimy molluscs to examine the peculiar habitat they have found between ivy-covered gravestones and mausoleums. Travel with them as they share insights into their research on the impressive biodiversity of tropical land snails. During the evening's journey, they will report on the endangered diversity of their favourite gastropods, and explain why these creatures are severely affected by the current extinction of species.How to find us, address and more

“Tipping Points. Fourteen ways to describe climate change”

Gentle drizzling, vigorous splashing, thunderous drumming – rain comes in many guises. Hanns Eisler’s 1941 film score Fourteen Ways to Describe Rain was one of his best chamber music works. Today, in the face of accelerating climate change, weather patterns take on a whole new urgency. Inspired by Eisler, Gregor Mayrhofer explores these phenomena in his composition Tipping Points. Fourteen ways to describe climate change, a commissioned work which will be premiered as part of our Biennale, explores pivotal moments for our climate. The physicist and science journalist Harald Lesch will host this dialogue concert.

Paradises on paper: Is art our salvation?

Botticelli, Titian and their contemporaries also dealt with endangered nature, with real and fictitious paradises and with their loss. In the Kupferstichkabinett of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Germany’s largest collection of art on paper, a selection of drawings and prints from the Renaissance and Baroque periods gives an idea of the fascinating diversity of the subject matter. Perhaps art can even be a place where threatened paradises can be saved and preserved and thus continue to offer refuge and inspiration?How to find us, address and more

Paradises on paper: Is art our salvation?

Botticelli, Titian and their contemporaries also dealt with endangered nature, with real and fictitious paradises and with their loss. In the Kupferstichkabinett of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Germany’s largest collection of art on paper, a selection of drawings and prints from the Renaissance and Baroque periods gives an idea of the fascinating diversity of the subject matter. Perhaps art can even be a place where threatened paradises can be saved and preserved and thus continue to offer refuge and inspiration?How to find us, address and more

Reading by Iris Berben

Iris Berben reads from texts by Alexander von Humboldt, Max Frisch, Ilja Trojanow, Zora Neale Hurston and other authors.

Biennale »Paradise lost?« Debussy’s “La Mer” and Grieg’s Piano Concerto

Sky, sea and light permeate this concert, in which Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska makes her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker. Jean Sibelius transports us to the historical Finland of legend with his dramatic tone poem Pohjola’s Daughter, while Kaija Saariaho’s Orion describes the astrological constellation in numinous music. The concert will also include Edvard Grieg’s piano concerto, which its echoes of Norwegian folk music, and Claude Debussy’s shimmering tone poem La Mer. The soloist is pianist Jean-Fréderic Neuburger.

Biennale »Paradise lost?« Debussy’s “La Mer” and Grieg’s Piano Concerto

Sky, sea and light permeate this concert, in which Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska makes her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker. Jean Sibelius transports us to the historical Finland of legend with his dramatic tone poem Pohjola’s Daughter, while Kaija Saariaho’s Orion describes the astrological constellation in numinous music. The concert will also include Edvard Grieg’s piano concerto, which its echoes of Norwegian folk music, and Claude Debussy’s shimmering tone poem La Mer. The soloist is pianist Jean-Fréderic Neuburger.