Family concert of the Biennale “Pastorale”

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.

Biennale Opening with Beethoven’s “Pastoral”

Beethoven’s “Pastoral” exuberantly celebrates the beauty of country life – with birdsong, babbling brooks and dancing peasants. But the idyll turns out to be deceptive ... A perfect prelude to our biennial Paradise lost? On the threat to nature. The rest of the programme also picks up on the Biennale theme: Varèse’s Arcana recalls the alchemist Paracelsus and his search for the healing powers of nature, while Srnka’s Superorganisms explores life forms that can only exist in community. Stepping in for the unwell Kirill Petrenko is American conductor David Robertson, who previously led the European premiere of Srnka’s work.

Biennale Opening with Beethoven’s “Pastoral”

Beethoven’s “Pastoral” exuberantly celebrates the beauty of country life – with birdsong, babbling brooks and dancing peasants. But the idyll turns out to be deceptive ... A perfect prelude to our biennial Paradise lost? On the threat to nature. The rest of the programme also picks up on the Biennale theme: Varèse’s Arcana recalls the alchemist Paracelsus and his search for the healing powers of nature, while Srnka’s Superorganisms explores life forms that can only exist in community. Stepping in for the unwell Kirill Petrenko is American conductor David Robertson, who previously led the European premiere of Srnka’s work.

Biennale Opening with Beethoven’s “Pastoral”

Beethoven’s “Pastoral” exuberantly celebrates the beauty of country life – with birdsong, babbling brooks and dancing peasants. But the idyll turns out to be deceptive ... A perfect prelude to our biennial Paradise lost? On the threat to nature. The rest of the programme also picks up on the Biennale theme: Varèse’s Arcana recalls the alchemist Paracelsus and his search for the healing powers of nature, while Srnka’s Superorganisms explores life forms that can only exist in community. Stepping in for the unwell Kirill Petrenko is American conductor David Robertson, who previously led the European premiere of Srnka’s work.

Family concert: The Carnival of the Animals

Family concert: The Carnival of the Animals

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

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.