The Musikfest Berlin 2025 will take place from 30 August to 23 September across the Philharmonie Berlin, its Chamber Music Hall, and the Konzerthaus Berlin. The festival will feature 32 performances showcasing over 120 works by around 70 composers, performed by 26 instrumental and vocal ensembles and 44 soloists from across the globe.
Commemorating major anniversaries
A central focus of the festival will be the centenary of Pierre Boulez (1925–2016), one of the most influential figures in 20th and 21st-century music. Key works of Boulez will be performed, including:
- Rituel for eight orchestral groups, performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker
- Pli selon pli, a lyrical song cycle for soprano and orchestra, performed by Les Siècles with soprano Sarah Aristidou
- Le soleil des eaux, a cantata with Liv Redpath (soprano), the Netherlands Radio Choir, and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Additionally, the festival will feature works by Robin de Raaff and Ondřej Adámek, who have composed pieces paying tribute to Boulez. Raaff’s composition will receive its Germany premiere at Musikfest Berlin, and Adámek’s work will have its world premiere.
The festival will also celebrate the 90th birthdays of two other prominent composers: Arvo Pärt and Helmut Lachenmann. Pärt’s a-cappella works will be performed by the RIAS Kammerchor Berlin on 11 September, and Lachenmann’s pieces will be showcased by various ensembles, including the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin and Ensemble Modern.
International guest performances
Musikfest Berlin will host renowned international ensembles, including:
- Orchestre de Paris, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen
- Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Klaus Mäkelä
- Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, conducted by Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla
- Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, conducted by Philippe Herreweghe
- Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Karina Canellakis
In addition to these orchestral performances, the festival will feature a jazz tribute with the BigBand of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, titled “Jazz de Paris”, celebrating the intersection of jazz and chanson in post-war France.
New voices and contemporary works
Alongside these historical commemorations, the festival will present contemporary composers such as Unsuk Chin, Pascal Dusapin, and Lisa Streich. The Ensemble Senza Sforzando from Odessa will perform new works by Ukrainian composers, highlighting the festival’s commitment to supporting emerging voices in music.
A broad musical range
The festival’s programming spans a wide range of music, from Renaissance works to contemporary compositions. The event offers a comprehensive view of the diverse directions music has taken, with performances from both established and emerging composers.
For more information visit berlinerfestpiele.de
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