Contemporary

Daniel Harding conducts Holst’s “Planets”

With Gustav Holst’s atmospheric 1916 orchestral suite The Planets, Daniel Harding embarks on a cosmic musical journey through our solar system. Each of the seven planets has its own musical character, from rugged Mars to mystical Neptune. Holst was greatly inspired by Arnold Schoenberg’s Five Orchestral Pieces, which oscillate intriguingly between late Romanticism and Modernism. Completing the programme, Brett Dean’s Komarov’s Fall was commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker in 2006 as a musical “asteroid” to Holst’s Planets.

“Ausklang” (Finale) Daniel Harding conducts Holst’s “Planets”

Welcome to the second instalment of our new series Ausklang! Each time, you can experience a short programme with a single orchestral work – but one that has it all. This time it’s Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets: a musical journey through our solar system, conducted by Daniel Harding. Each of the seven planets has its own musical character, from rugged Mars to mystical Neptune. Unusual orchestral effects are employed, inspiring many subsequent film music composers. After the concert, we invite you to enjoy a free drink in the foyer.

Kochanovsky conducts Bruckner's Symphony in d

The Concertgebouw’s famous Main Hall is one of the best concert halls in the world, well-known for its exceptional acoustics and special atmosphere. In the Main Hall, you will feel history. Here, Gustav Mahler conducted his own compositions, as did Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky. Sergei Rachmaninoff played his own piano concertos in the Main Hall. This is also where musicians such as Leonard Bernstein, Vladimir Horowitz and Yehudi Menuhin gave legendary performances. Right up to now, the Main Hall offers a stage to the world’s best orchestras and musicians. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Main Hall for yourself!

Daniel Harding conducts Holst’s “Planets”

With Gustav Holst’s atmospheric 1916 orchestral suite The Planets, Daniel Harding embarks on a cosmic musical journey through our solar system. Each of the seven planets has its own musical character, from rugged Mars to mystical Neptune. Holst was greatly inspired by Arnold Schoenberg’s Five Orchestral Pieces, which oscillate intriguingly between late Romanticism and Modernism. Completing the programme, Brett Dean’s Komarov’s Fall was commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker in 2006 as a musical “asteroid” to Holst’s Planets.

Elbphilharmonie Kreativorchester

Members of the Elbphilharmonie Kreativorchester (Creative Orchestra) have rehearsed together for five months now – for the grand finale, they present a concert in the Elbphilharmonie Kaistudio. All beginnings are easy in the Kreativorchester. Even the people who have not yet mastered an instrument or do not have time to play every week are invited to take part in the orchestra and draw on a wide range of experience. At the final concert, participants prove that kitchen utensils, one’s own body and plenty of improvisation can be used to create an orchestra.

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / NDR Vokalensemble / Alan Gilbert

»Elbphilharmonie Visions« enters its second round with musical fireworks: under the baton of chief conductor and festival initiator Alan Gilbert, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra performs the new work »World Builder, Creature« by young British high-flyer Alex Paxton. »I want to make music that makes me feel most alive when I’m writing it and when I’m listening to it,« explains the 33-year-old. The result: an unmistakable blend of video game soundtracks, virtuoso chamber music and jazz improvisation, which was honoured with the Claussen Simon Composition Prize.

SWR Symphonieorchester / Florian Hölscher / Christoph Sietzen / Emilio Pomàrico

The semblance of a world premiere: The SWR Symphonieorchester under the baton of Emilio Pomàrico together with pianist Florian Hölscher launches the new piano concerto by Alberto Posadas – you can hear this work in Hamburg shortly after its premiere in Madrid. The Spanish composer draws his musical material from the physical and sensory capabilities of the instruments themselves – as does Johannes Maria Staud, whose percussion concerto can be experienced as a rhythmical counterpoint in the second half of the programme. It is a special concern of the Austrian composer to establish the drum as the equivalent tool of the sound paintbox: »It is my objective to give real meaning to this toolkit in the 21st century and to complete a lot of works for it.« No sooner said than done! Sometimes, you hear it with saxophone and wind ensemble, sometimes with choir and string quartet – with orchestra for the first time in »Whereas the Reality Trembles«, which was premiered in 2023 by Luxemburg percussionist Christoph Sietzen. For the title, Staud was inspired by a line by the American poet William Carlos Williams, which hits precisely what he expects from a percussion concerto: »Williams often speaks about reality being a little dazzling; his work is very obsessed with the space between the sensations.«

Philharmonic chamber music Piano quartets by Mozart and Beethoven with Kit Armstrong

“It is the best thing I have written in my life”, declared Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1784 of his piano quintet. Many of his most famous works had not yet been written, but the quintet remains a Mozartian jewel, with its melodic beauty and charming dialogues between the instruments. It is no wonder that the young Ludwig van Beethoven was inspired by Mozart’s example to write an equally enchanting quintet. Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker play both works with pianist Kit Armstrong. Contemporary counterpoints are provided in the form of wind quintets by Hans Werner Henze and Wolfgang Rihm.

Rising Stars: Lukas Sternath

For lovers of chamber music the Recital Hall is the venue of choice. You can hear the musicians breathe and you can practically touch them. This hall is also cherished by musicians for its beautiful acoustics and direct contact with the audience. In the Recital Hall you can hear the best musicians of our time. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Recital Hall for yourself!

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.

ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra / Vanessa Porter / Bas Wiegers

Most of all celebrated for its interpretations of works from the 21st century, the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra has its finger on the pulse of current developments with its exciting programme for the »Elbphilharmonie Visions« Festival: under the leadership of Dutch conductor Bas Wiegers, it presents various facets of some new and newest orchestral music. As a soloist on drums, the former Rising-Star and meanwhile internationally acclaimed Vanessa Porter will join them for Fracesca Verunelli’s »from scratch«.

NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover / Anja Petersen / Pierre Bleuse

As part of the »Elbphilharmonie Visions« festival, the NDR Radiophilharmonie and conductor Pierre Bleuse present a work by Italian composer Clara Iannotta, who continues to explore the boundaries between noise and composition, as well as Arnulf Herrmann’s »Tour de Trance« for soprano and orchestra. As at the latter’s world premiere, the solo part will be performed by opera singer Anja Petersen.

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.

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Lawrence Power / Alan Gilbert

To round off the festival for cutting-edge orchestral music, the last concert of the »Elbphilharmonie Visions« festival combines a solo concerto for the viola star of contemporary music Lawrence Power and two orchestral pieces whose vivid sound languages tell of the admiration for Johannes Brahms and the enthusiasm for the world-renowned music education project »El Sistema« in Venezuela.

Bang on a Can All-Stars / Trio Mediaeval

Even for the state of the art, there are legends – such as the Bang on a Can All-Stars, who are always in search of very up-to-date, exciting music, regardless of genre categories. Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Meredith Monk and Ornette Coleman are just a few of the artists who have already collaborated with the New York collective. For their Elbphilharmonie debut, the musicians have chosen a work by founding member and Pulitzer prizewinner Julia Wolfe, which traces the myth surrounding the American folk hero John Henry as an oratorio between minimal music and country. There are hundreds of versions of this story, passed down by word of mouth and already cast in music many times whether by Johnny Cash, Van Morrison or Bruce Springsteen: at the end of the 19th century, a worker is supposed to have competed against a new kind of steam-driven hammer in railway construction with his muscle strength and won – to pay with his life as a result. Julia Wolfe has composed a meta myth with »Steel Hammer«: »The work is inspired by my love of legends and the music of the Appalachian Mountains. I fragmented the many different and somewhat contradictory versions of the ballad and wove it into a completely new format. The music often circles around individual words or phrases to tell the ultimate story and its different paths.« The Appalachian dulcimer (a kind of zither) joins the usual line-up of Bang on a Can with clarinet, a lot of percussion, guitars, piano, cello and double bass and provides for the American country sound. Trio Mediæval, a top-class a-cappella ensemble from Norway, completes the overall sound with its clear soprano and alto voices, which Julia Wolfe particularly appreciates for their great wealth of experience in the vocal tradition of their homeland.

Simply Quartet: Rebecca meets Wynton

For lovers of chamber music the Recital Hall is the venue of choice. You can hear the musicians breathe and you can practically touch them. This hall is also cherished by musicians for its beautiful acoustics and direct contact with the audience. In the Recital Hall you can hear the best musicians of our time. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Recital Hall for yourself!

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.

Aurora Orchestra / Abel Selaocoe / Nicholas Collon

The South African cellist and composer Abel Selaocoe has an irrepressible energy and stage presence that has propelled him from a township near Johannesburg to the top of the music world. Together with London’s Aurora Orchestra, whose Elbphilharmonie debut was hailed by the press as a »boldly creative orchestra« with »extravagantly sparkling interpretation«, an explosive evening is guaranteed. Selaocoe transcends genre boundaries with ease in his Cello Concerto. He combines Western music from classical to soul with the sounds and traditions of his homeland – including intense, throaty singing, which plays just as big a role in the concerto as the cello does. In the second half of the concert, the Aurora Orchestra presents its trademark: a major symphonic work, played entirely from memory without sheet music. Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, which the composer himself described as a »sheer expression of joy, happiness and the affirmation of life«, should be a perfect fit for the enthusiastic young orchestra.

Free Lunchtime Concert: Composer in Residence

For many years now, Lunchtime Concerts have been held in the Main Hall and the Recital Hall. The concerts range from public rehearsals by the Concertgebouworkest, to chamber music performances by young up-and-coming artists.For Lunchtime Concerts you will require a free ticket, which you can buy online. Doors to the concert hall open about 30 minutes before the Lunchtime Concert starts.We offer a broad range of music: the majority of concerts include classical music, but you can sometimes hear more modern repertoire. The concert programme is announced one week in advance on our website. The concerts last thirty minutes and are free of charge. Visitors are advised that these concerts are suitable for children from six years old.

Ensemble!

Amsterdam: 750 Years

The Concertgebouw’s famous Main Hall is one of the best concert halls in the world, well-known for its exceptional acoustics and special atmosphere. In the Main Hall, you will feel history. Here, Gustav Mahler conducted his own compositions, as did Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky. Sergei Rachmaninoff played his own piano concertos in the Main Hall. This is also where musicians such as Leonard Bernstein, Vladimir Horowitz and Yehudi Menuhin gave legendary performances. Right up to now, the Main Hall offers a stage to the world’s best orchestras and musicians. Buy your tickets now and experience the magic of the Main Hall for yourself!

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich / Víkingur Ólafsson / Paavo Järvi

Since the Elbphilharmonie opened, Estonian star conductor Paavo Järvi has been one of its permanent guests, enchanting Hamburg audiences at several concerts a year. Now the conductor of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen again comes to the Grand Hall with his second top orchestra, the venerable Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich. They will be joined by Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, who gave two brilliant renderings of Johann Sebastian Bach’s »Goldberg Variations« in Hamburg last season. On the programme is a new piano concerto by US composer John Adams, which was commissioned by the Elbphilharmonie among others. And the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich tackles two of the most famous modern orchestral pieces by György Ligeti and Witold Lutosławski, who skilfully combined folk music from Hungary and Poland with a thrilling orchestral sound in the 1950s.

Sir Simon Rattle

Boulez, Berio, and Lachenmann: all three are celebrating anniversaries in 2025, and all three have contributed landmark works to modern music. Three of these exceptional works will be presented by Sir Simon Rattle, the Bavarian Radio Chorus, and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks in this concert. First on the program will be Cummings ist der Dichter – a work in which Boulez convincingly accentuates the phonetic and semantic dimension of the words in an extremely refined and breathtakingly colorful manner. Laborintus II combines the anarchic charm of the 1960s with a quasi-baroque opulence. In his tuba concerto Harmonica, Helmut Lachenmann explores the sonic boundaries between eruption and silence. Stefan Tischler, principal tuba of the BRSO, will be the soloist.

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Julian Rachlin / Klaus Mäkelä

Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä doesn’t take up his post as chief conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra until 2027, but he is already working closely with the orchestra. At this concert, they perform Robert Schumann’s Fourth Symphony and Sofia Gubaidulina’s First Violin Concerto. The concert opens with a new piece by South Korean composer Seung Won-Oh. In 2023 Gubaidulina (*1931) was named the most frequently performed composer in the world by the online magazine Bachtrack. She experienced her international breakthrough in the 1980s with her Violin Concerto No. 1 »Offertorium«, in which she echoes Johann Sebastian Bach’s »Musical Offering«, her choice of title already pointing to a deep religious sense. Once premiered by master violinist Gidon Kremer, the renowned Austrian violinist Julian Rachlin has now been recruited for the solo part. Schumann’s Fourth Symphony was a birthday present for his beloved Clara and an affair of the heart for the composer. The recipient, herself a pianist and composer, was deeply moved by the symphony: »This is another work produced from the depths of the soul«.

The Junge Deutsche Philharmonie turns 50!

Happy Birthday Junge Deutsche Philharmonie! Germany's best music students have been playing together in this orchestra for 50 years – in preparation for a career in a professional orchestra. What characterises its members? A high level of technical proficiency, an irrepressible desire to make music together, and a passion for the music of our time. These qualities are also reflected in this programme – with the spherical tones of Missy Mazzoli's Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres), the labyrinthine sound structures of Luciano Berio's Sinfonia for eight voices and orchestra and the rhythmic energy of Igor Stravinsky's Le Sacre du printemps. Roderick Cox conducts.

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Steven Isserlis / Elim Chan

»I want interaction. I want people to feel something. I want them to ask questions,« explained Elim Chan in an interview. The Hong Kong-born conductor is currently one of the most sought-after musicians of her generation. The Vienna Musikverein dedicated a three-part portrait series to her in the 2022/23 season. And after Elim Chan’s debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2022, the press wrote euphorically of a »miracle of control and understanding«. In this concert, Elim Chan has a musician at her side who is one of only two living cellists to have been inducted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame and who continues to captivate audiences with his unique musicianship: Steven Isserlis. He plays Joseph Haydn’s long-lost Cello Concerto in C major, in which late Baroque solemnity is combined with the virtuosity of Viennese Classicism. The elegant lightness of the concerto conceals highly demanding passages that require a great deal of dexterity from the soloist.