Musikfest Berlin has released the first set of concerts for its 2026 edition, opening an early booking period that runs until 31 January. The festival, held from 28 August to 23 September, marks the 75th anniversary of the Berliner Festspiele and continues its mission of presenting leading international orchestras alongside Berlin’s own ensembles. The complete programme will be published on 21 April 2026.
Opening with Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre
The festival begins on 28 August with a concert performance of György Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre, presented as part of the Berliner Festspiele anniversary celebrations. Shortly after giving the Finnish premiere at the Helsinki Festival, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Helsinki Chamber Choir bring Ligeti’s anti-opera to the Philharmonie Berlin, led by chief conductor Nicholas Collon.
Porgy and Bess revisited
A new production of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess will be performed on 15 September by the Chineke! Orchestra, joined by the Cape Town Opera Vocal Ensemble and a cast of soloists under Kwamé Ryan. The work’s long and politically charged performance history includes its German premiere at the 1952 Berliner Festwochen, during the first years of postwar cultural reconstruction.
Rihm, Henze, Gubaidulina: major composers in focus
Ten years after its last Musikfest appearance, Wolfgang Rihm’s large-scale ritual Tutuguri returns on 2 September, performed by the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra under Jörg Widmann. The concert pays tribute to Rihm, who died in 2024 and maintained close ties with both the Lucerne Festival and Musikfest Berlin.
The centenary of Hans Werner Henze is marked on 7 September with his hour-long piano concerto Tristan, featuring Tamara Stefanovich and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, conducted by Alan Gilbert, who also leads Brahms’s First Symphony.
The London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Antonio Pappano return on 6 September with Sofia Gubaidulina’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra—a rare opportunity to hear the work following the composer’s death in 2025—paired with Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony.
International orchestras return to Berlin
On 30 August, the Kansas City Symphony appears with Music Director Matthias Pintscher, performing two orchestral works by Olga Neuwirth, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with Blake Pouliot, and Rachmaninoff’s Third Symphony.
The Wiener Philharmoniker return on 9 September with Tugan Sokhiev, presenting Dvořák’s Violin Concerto featuring Hilary Hahn, alongside suites from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.
Historically informed ensembles with Romantic programmes
Two ensembles known for period practice turn to 19th-century repertoire. On 29 August, Jordi Savall leads Le Concert des Nations in an all-Mendelssohn programme at the Philharmonie, following the Berliner Philharmoniker’s season-long tribute to Savall.
On 3 September, the Freiburger Barockorchester appears with Sir Simon Rattle and violinist Isabelle Faust, performing music by Robert Schumann—a debut collaboration at the Philharmonie.
A world premiere by Yvonne Loriod
On 5 September, Kent Nagano and the WDR Sinfonieorchester present a rare discovery: La Sainte Face, an orchestral work for soprano and ensemble by Yvonne Loriod. Written more than 80 years ago and recently uncovered in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, it receives its world premiere at Musikfest Berlin with Sarah Aristidou as soloist. The programme also includes music by Alex Nante and Felix Mendelssohn.
Early booking offer
Starting today, 4 December 2025, Musikfest Berlin offers a 20% discount when purchasing tickets for five or more concerts in a single transaction. The offer is valid until 31 January 2026. Performances take place at the Philharmonie Berlin, its Kammermusiksaal, and additional venues.
More info, here.
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