Date
13.02. - 01.03.25

Programme
Concerts · Lectures 
Co-operations with museums
 

Works by
Srnka · Varèse · Beethoven
Tarkiainen · Dean · Villa-Lobos
Scriabin · Saariaho · Debussy a. o.
 

Artists
David Robertson · Marin Alsop · 
Dalia Stasevska · Alexander Melnikov a. o.

Climate change and species extinction threaten our planet. In February 2025, the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Biennale will address the threat to nature in a series of events titled Paradise lost? The perspectives are diverse: works such as Debussy’s La Mer and Beethoven’s Pastorale celebrate the beauty of our world, Miroslav Srnka’s Superorganisms shows the interconnectedness of life forms, Brett Dean’s Fire Music depicts the destruction caused by a bushfire. Discussion panels, lectures by experts and collaborations with museums and other orchestras will explore the theme in greater depth. The aim? A sharpened view of the crises and fresh perspectives for our future.

About the festival: Programme focus

Heat, drought, floods – extreme weather events are hitting us more frequently and more severely. Our planet is in danger, and the cause is man-made climate change. Scientists agree that rapid and consistent countermeasures are needed. The Berliner Philharmoniker’s third Biennale in February 2025 will focus on this existential challenge with a series titled Paradise lost? On the threat to nature.

As part of the series, the Berliner Philharmoniker with present three concerts with David Robertson (replacing Kirill Petrenko) and guest conductors Marin Alsop and Dalia Stasevska; additional concerts will feature visiting soloists such as pianist Alexander Melnikov. Through the medium of music, the audience will be confronted with the devastating power of the elements of fire and water, but will also experience the breathtaking beauty of the Amazon rainforest. A total of three commissioned compositions, including the new work Superorganisms by Czech composer Miroslav Srnka, are dedicated to the Biennale theme. There will be chamber music and late-night concerts in additional locations around the city. Concerts by the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin and the Freiburger Barockorchester complete the festival’s music programme.

However, the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Biennale is a cross-genre and cross-art-form festival that creates additional perspectives through events beyond the traditional scope of a concert hall. Partners for the next edition include the Berlin Natural History Museum and the Berlin State Library. Exhibitions, readings, talks, lectures by experts and installations in the foyer of the Philharmonie will explore the topic in greater depth.

A person in a blue suit and with grey hair stands in front of an orange-yellow illuminated wall. A clear shadow can be seen on it.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
David Robertson conductor (replacing Kirill Petrenko)

Works by
Edgard Varèse, Miroslav Srnka and Ludwig van Beethoven

Edgard Varèse
Arcana for large Orchestra (revised version from 1960)

Programme note

Miroslav Srnka
Superorganisms, commissioned by Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic and Orchestre de Paris (German premiere)

Programme note

Interval

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68 “Pastoral”

Programme note

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

A person in a blue suit and with grey hair stands in front of an orange-yellow illuminated wall. A clear shadow can be seen on it.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
David Robertson conductor (replacing Kirill Petrenko)

Works by
Edgard Varèse, Miroslav Srnka and Ludwig van Beethoven

Edgard Varèse
Arcana for large Orchestra (revised version from 1960)

Programme note

Miroslav Srnka
Superorganisms, commissioned by Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic and Orchestre de Paris (German premiere)

Programme note

Interval

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68 “Pastoral”

Programme note

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Cellist Tanja Tetzlaff sits in the middle of a rocky, barren landscape and plays her cello. She is wearing a red jacket. The sky is cloudy and stony hills can be seen in the background. A cello case lies on the rocks next to her. The scenery seems harsh and isolated.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Musikinstrumenten-Museum, Curt-Sachs-Saal

Film screening: “Suites4nature”

Tanja Tetzlaff cello
Heinz von Loesch presentation

Read more

Sale by the SIM before the event

A person in a blue suit and with grey hair stands in front of an orange-yellow illuminated wall. A clear shadow can be seen on it.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
David Robertson conductor (replacing Kirill Petrenko)

Works by
Edgard Varèse, Miroslav Srnka and Ludwig van Beethoven

Edgard Varèse
Arcana for large Orchestra (revised version from 1960)

Programme note

Miroslav Srnka
Superorganisms, commissioned by Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic and Orchestre de Paris (German premiere)

Programme note

Interval

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68 “Pastoral”

Programme note

Also available as Biennale package

Lucas Dorado stands in front of a bright orange background, wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a floral pattern and holding several mallets in his hand. He smiles friendly into the camera

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
St. Matthäus-Kirche

At the invitation of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Late Night: “Cantando hacia el Sur”

Lucas Dorado vibraphone
Mathilde Vendramin cello and vocals
Carolina Riaño vocals
Laura Robles cajon and percussion

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Family Concert

Education
Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Main Auditorium

Family concert: “Pastorale”

Berliner Philharmoniker
David Robertson conductor (anstelle von Kirill Petrenko)
Stephan Baumecker Acting
Tobias Ribitzki stage direction and text

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68 “Pastoral”: Excerpts

Read more

Prices for adults include a donation for the UNO Flüchtlingshilfe

Pekka Kuusisto steht mit verschränkten Armen und lachend vor einem neutralen Hintergrund. Er trägt eine dunkle Hose und einen dunklen Pullover

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

At the invitation of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Nicholas Collon conductor
Pekka Kuusisto violin

Works by
Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Jean Sibelius, Thomas Adès, Jón Leifs and Igor Stravinsky

Anna Thorvaldsdottir
CATAMORPHOSIS

Jean Sibelius
Two Serenades for Violin and Orchestra, op. 69

Pekka Kuusisto violin

Thomas Adès
Märchentänze (Dances for Fairytale) for violin and orchestra

Pekka Kuusisto violin

Jón Leifs
Geysir, prelude for orchestra, op. 51

Igor Stravinsky
Le Sacre du printemps

Read more
The orchestra stands in front of a wood-paneled wall, the picture is black and white.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Chamber Music Hall

At the invitation of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Freiburger Barockorchester
Gottfried von der Goltz violin and direction
Cecilia Bernardini violin
Ann-Kathrin Brüggemann oboe
Eyal Streett bassoon
Daniela Lieb flute

Works by
Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi
La fida ninfa RV 714: Overture

Antonio Vivaldi
Die vier Jahreszeiten op. 8 Nr. 1 – 4

Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto in D major, RV 428 ‟Il gardellinoˮ

Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto for Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Strings and Continuo in F major ‟La Tempesta di Mareˮ, RV 570

Read more
Alexander Melnikov

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Chamber Music Hall

At the invitation of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Piano recital

Alexander Melnikov piano

Works by
Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt and Alexander Scriabin

Franz Schubert
Fantasia in C major, D 760 “Wanderer Fantasy”

Robert Schumann
Waldszenen (Forest Scenes), op. 82

Interval

Franz Liszt
Waldesrauschen

Franz Liszt
Gnomenreigen

Franz Liszt
Nuages gris

Alexander Scriabin
Vers la flamme, op. 72

Alexander Scriabin
Deux Dances, op. 73

Alexander Scriabin
Five Preludes, op. 74

Alexander Scriabin
Piano Sonata No. 9, op. 68 ‟Black Massˮ

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Chamber Music Hall Upper Foyer

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

Antje Boetius and Steffen Mau in conversation with Christiane Florin

Read more
Marin Alsop leaning against a wall

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Marin Alsop conductor
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Gijs Leenaars chorus master

Works by
Outi Tarkiainen, Brett Dean, Aaron Copland and Heitor Villa-Lobos

Outi Tarkiainen
Day Night Day, commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Première)

Brett Dean
Fire Music for orchestra (German premiere)

Interval

Aaron Copland
Appalachian Spring Suite (1945)

Heitor Villa-Lobos
Chôros No. 10 ˮRasga o coração“ for orchestra and mixed choir

Rundfunkchor Berlin, Gijs Leenaars chorus master

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Marin Alsop leaning against a wall

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Marin Alsop conductor
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Gijs Leenaars chorus master

Works by
Outi Tarkiainen, Brett Dean, Aaron Copland and Heitor Villa-Lobos

Outi Tarkiainen
Day Night Day, commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Première)

Brett Dean
Fire Music for orchestra (German premiere)

Interval

Aaron Copland
Appalachian Spring Suite (1945)

Heitor Villa-Lobos
Chôros No. 10 ˮRasga o coração“ for orchestra and mixed choir

Rundfunkchor Berlin, Gijs Leenaars chorus master

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Marin Alsop leaning against a wall

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Marin Alsop conductor
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Gijs Leenaars chorus master

Works by
Outi Tarkiainen, Brett Dean, Aaron Copland and Heitor Villa-Lobos

Outi Tarkiainen
Day Night Day, commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Première)

Brett Dean
Fire Music for orchestra (German premiere)

Interval

Aaron Copland
Appalachian Spring Suite (1945)

Heitor Villa-Lobos
Chôros No. 10 ˮRasga o coração“ for orchestra and mixed choir

Rundfunkchor Berlin, Gijs Leenaars chorus master

Also available as Biennale package

Neue Nationalgalerie

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Neue Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

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

Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Sarah Tysman rehearsals, direction
Zacharias Falkenberg arrangement

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

The picture shows a stage in warm, reddish light, on which several silhouetted people are standing on different levels. Large, glowing screens can be seen in the background, creating a futuristic atmosphere.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Education

RADIALSYSTEM V

Terminal Infinity

Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker and of the Karajan-Akademie
Leah Marojević dance
Gyung Moo Kim dance
Dance On Ensemble
Ty Boomershine dance
Gesine Moog dance
Tim Persent dance
Lia Witjes Poole dance

Jugendtanzcompany von Sasha Waltz & Guests
Noomi Aldinger dance
Toni Lehnert dance
Leah Soltau dance
Nika Brovot dance
Jonathan Walker dance

Alexander Schubert Artistic direction, conception, composition and sound direction
Colette Sadler concept, development of the piece and choreography
Dominic Huber Scenography
Diego Muhr light design
Felina Levits costumes
Ludmilla Mercier Regieassistenz
Candid Rütter Video mapping and lighting assistance
Oscar Corpo music notation, instrumentation and composition assistance

Alexander Schubert
Terminal Infinity commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker (Premiere)

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
St. Matthäus-Kirche

hORA church service “Paradise lost”

Hannes Langbein (Pfarrer, Filmbeauftragter der EKBO)
Roland Wicher (Pfarrer, Filmbeauftragter der EKBO)

Read more

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

At the invitation of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin
Giedre Šlekyte conductor
Johan Dalene violin

Works by
Hannah Eisendle, Tebogo Monnakgotla and Robert Schumann

Hannah Eisendle
heliosis for orchestra

Tebogo Monnakgotla
Globe Skimmer Surfing the Somali Jet, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

Johan Dalene violin

Robert Schumann
Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, op. 38 “Spring”

Read more
A person stands on the shore of the sea and looks into the distance. The person is wearing a warm jacket, a rucksack and a cap. The scene is bathed in soft, diffuse light that falls through the clouds in the sky. On the horizon, a single bird flies over the rough, undulating sea.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
St. Matthäus-Kirche

Film screening: “Geographies of Solitude”

Read more
The picture shows a stage in warm, reddish light, on which several silhouetted people are standing on different levels. Large, glowing screens can be seen in the background, creating a futuristic atmosphere.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Education

RADIALSYSTEM V

Terminal Infinity

Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker and of the Karajan-Akademie
Leah Marojević dance
Gyung Moo Kim dance
Dance On Ensemble
Ty Boomershine dance
Gesine Moog dance
Tim Persent dance
Lia Witjes Poole dance

Jugendtanzcompany von Sasha Waltz & Guests
Noomi Aldinger dance
Toni Lehnert dance
Leah Soltau dance
Nika Brovot dance
Jonathan Walker dance

Alexander Schubert Artistic direction, conception, composition and sound direction
Colette Sadler concept, development of the piece and choreography
Dominic Huber Scenography
Diego Muhr light design
Felina Levits costumes
Ludmilla Mercier Regieassistenz
Candid Rütter Video mapping and lighting assistance
Oscar Corpo music notation, instrumentation and composition assistance

Alexander Schubert
Terminal Infinity commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker (Premiere)

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

The picture shows a stage in warm, reddish light, on which several silhouetted people are standing on different levels. Large, glowing screens can be seen in the background, creating a futuristic atmosphere.

Education
RADIALSYSTEM V

School concert: Terminal Infinity

Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker and of the Karajan-Akademie
Leah Marojević dance
Gyung Moo Kim dance
Dance On Ensemble
Ty Boomershine dance
Gesine Moog dance
Tim Persent dance
Lia Witjes Poole dance

Jugendtanzcompany von Sasha Waltz & Guests
Noomi Aldinger dance
Toni Lehnert dance
Leah Soltau dance
Nika Brovot dance
Jonathan Walker dance

Alexander Schubert Artistic direction, conception, composition and sound direction
Colette Sadler concept, development of the piece and choreography
Dominic Huber Scenography
Diego Muhr light design
Felina Levits costumes
Ludmilla Mercier Regieassistenz
Candid Rütter Video mapping and lighting assistance
Oscar Corpo music notation, instrumentation and composition assistance

Alexander Schubert
Terminal Infinity, commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker (premiere)

Read more

Free entry, registration only for schools

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Museum für Naturkunde

Lecture Concert

Martin Heinze double bass
Václav Vonášek Kontrafagott
Katharina und Parm von Oheimb

Works by
Erwin Schulhoff, James Tenney, Gernot Wolfgang, Paul Hindemith and Judith Weir

Erwin Schulhoff
Bassnachtigall for solo contrabassoon

James Tenney
BEAST for solo double bass

Gernot Wolfgang
Ready to Rumble! for two contrabassoons

Paul Hindemith
Four Pieces for Bassoon and Cello

Judith Weir
What sound will chase elephants away? for two double basses

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Harald Lesch is sitting on a white wooden chair with his arms crossed over the backrest. He is wearing a blue suit against a blue background.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Chamber Music Hall

“Tipping Points. Vierzehn Arten den Klimawandel zu beschreiben”

Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Gregor A. Mayrhofer conductor
Harald Lesch presentation
Philipp Bohnen violin
Ulrich Knörzer viola
Ludwig Quandt cello
Janusz Widzyk double bass
Anja Malkov flute
Dominik Wollenweber oboe
Matic Kuder clarinet
Barbara Kehrig bassoon
László Gál french horn
Riccardo Caruso drums
Korbinian Fichtl drums
Sarah Tysman piano

Works by
Gregor A. Mayrhofer, Franz Liszt, Hanns Eisler and Olivier Messiaen

Gregor A. Mayrhofer
Tipping Points. Vierzehn Arten den Klimawandel zu beschreiben, commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation (Première)

Gregor A. Mayrhofer conductor, Philipp Bohnen violin, Ulrich Knörzer viola, Ludwig Quandt cello, Janusz Widzyk double bass, Anja Malkov flute, Dominik Wollenweber oboe, Matic Kuder clarinet, Barbara Kehrig bassoon, László Gál french horn, Riccardo Caruso drums, Korbinian Fichtl drums, Sarah Tysman piano

Franz Liszt
Nuages gris (arr. Gregor Mayrhofer)

Gregor A. Mayrhofer conductor, Philipp Bohnen violin, Ulrich Knörzer viola, Ludwig Quandt cello, Janusz Widzyk double bass, Anja Malkov flute, Dominik Wollenweber oboe, Matic Kuder clarinet, Barbara Kehrig bassoon, László Gál french horn, Riccardo Caruso drums, Korbinian Fichtl drums, Sarah Tysman piano

Hanns Eisler
Vierzehn Arten den Regen zu beschreiben

Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Gregor A. Mayrhofer conductor, Harald Lesch presentation, Philipp Bohnen violin, Ulrich Knörzer viola, Ludwig Quandt cello, Janusz Widzyk double bass, Anja Malkov flute, Barbara Kehrig bassoon, Riccardo Caruso drums, Korbinian Fichtl drums, Sarah Tysman piano

Interval

Olivier Messiaen
Quatuor pour la fin du temps: 3rd Movement Abîme des oiseaux

Matic Kuder clarinet

Olivier Messiaen
Quatuor pour la fin du temps: 8th Movement Louange à l'Immortalité de Jésus

Philipp Bohnen violin, Sarah Tysman piano

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

The picture shows an engraved illustration entitled “Allegory of the Expulsion from Paradise”. Several figures can be seen in the foreground, including Adam and Eve, who are depicted naked. On the left, a reclining figure points to a bright light, while another person holds a mirror. An angel with outstretched wings hovers above the scene, symbolizing the expulsion. A tree with a writhing serpent stands in the center of the picture, and on the right Adam and Eve are driven out of paradise by an angel, illustrating the biblical story of expulsion.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Study Room of the Kupferstichkabinett

Paradises on paper: Is art our salvation?

Pop-up Exhibition and Talk with Dagmar Korbacher

Read more
Iris Berben is wearing a black sweater, her elbows are propped up and her hands are on her face. The background is dark blue.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Staatsbibliothek Haus 2 Potsdamer Straße

Reading by Iris Berben

Iris Berben Reading

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Dalia Stasevska sits relaxed on the floor, her arm resting on a large wooden block. She is holding a baton in her hand. She is wearing beige trousers and a blouse with a floral pattern.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Dalia Stasevska conductor
Jean-Frédéric Neuburger piano

Works by
Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg, Kaija Saariaho and Claude Debussy

Jean Sibelius
Pohjolas Tochter

Edvard Grieg
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor, op. 16

Jean-Frédéric Neuburger piano

Interval

Kaija Saariaho
Orion

Claude Debussy
La Mer

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Dalia Stasevska sits relaxed on the floor, her arm resting on a large wooden block. She is holding a baton in her hand. She is wearing beige trousers and a blouse with a floral pattern.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Dalia Stasevska conductor
Jean-Frédéric Neuburger piano

Works by
Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg, Kaija Saariaho and Claude Debussy

Jean Sibelius
Pohjolas Tochter

Edvard Grieg
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor, op. 16

Jean-Frédéric Neuburger piano

Interval

Kaija Saariaho
Orion

Claude Debussy
La Mer

Read more

Also available as Biennale package

Dalia Stasevska sits relaxed on the floor, her arm resting on a large wooden block. She is holding a baton in her hand. She is wearing beige trousers and a blouse with a floral pattern.

Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Dalia Stasevska conductor
Jean-Frédéric Neuburger piano

Works by
Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg, Kaija Saariaho and Claude Debussy

Jean Sibelius
Pohjolas Tochter

Edvard Grieg
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor, op. 16

Jean-Frédéric Neuburger piano

Interval

Kaija Saariaho
Orion

Claude Debussy
La Mer

Also available as Biennale package