Kirill Petrenko in the 2026/27 season

Kirill Petrenko conducting — Kirill Petrenko | Picture: Monika Rittershaus

At the centre is the human being: thrown into the world with both gifts and limitations; responsible, nonetheless, for decisions and actions; shaping relationships to the environment and to nature, as well as to others and to society — and, not least, capable of thinking beyond the material.

These are the ideas that underpin Kirill Petrenko’s concert programmes for the 2026/27 season. They span a historical arc from Viennese Classicism – Beethoven’s Pastoral – through Western and Eastern European Romanticism, with symphonic works by Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Brahms, Strauss and Tchaikovsky, as well as operas by Wagner and Humperdinck, and onwards to modernism (Respighi, Hindemith, Prokofiev, Messiaen) and music of the 21st century, including the world premiere of a work by Sarah Nemtsov. The programmes feature large orchestral compositions, instrumental solo concertos (Brahms, Grieg), sacred music and two concert performances of operas.

Since the beginning of Kirill Petrenko’s tenure, the focus of his programming has been clear: he regards the music of the German‑Austrian Classical and Romantic tradition as the orchestra’s DNA, and thus as the core of its repertoire. This season, it is represented by works of Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms and Richard Strauss. Music from the Slavic cultural sphere is close to Kirill Petrenko’s heart not only because of his origins; following Tchaikovsky’s Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, he now turns to the Fourth, sometimes referred to as “Fatum” (Fate). The generation of composers whose work was neglected due to the wars and political upheavals of the last century, and which deserves rediscovery, is represented here by Paul Hindemith’s symphony Mathis der Maler – an instrumental extract from his opera of the same name, set during the Thirty Years’ War.

Kirill Petrenko has also long been fascinated by the form of variation, the musical embodiment of continual change around a constant core – this season expressed in Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Equally present is his search for what lies beyond, for a possible force outside the human realm of imagination. He has explored this in recent seasons through works such as Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah and Mahler’s Eighth Symphony; this season he continues this enquiry into the spiritual dimension of human existence with Beethoven’s Missa solemnis and a concert centred on music reflecting the confessional traditions of the Jewish, Catholic and Protestant faiths.

Concerts with Kirill Petrenko 2026/27

Kirill Petrenko stands in front of the orchestra and raises both arms upwards in a grand gesture. He is wearing a black suit. Musicians can be seen from behind in the foreground.

Fri 21 August 2026, 19:00 Main Auditorium

Season opening

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor

Works by
Edward Elgar and Piotr Tchaikovsky

Edward Elgar
Enigma Variations, op. 36

Interval

Piotr Tchaikovsky
Symphony No. 4 in F minor, op. 36

Stream

Kirill Petrenko energetically conducts the orchestra. He holds a baton and gestures with his other hand, surrounded by musicians playing various string instruments.

Thu 01 October 2026, 20:00 Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Daniil Trifonov piano

Works by
Johannes Brahms and Richard Strauss

Johannes Brahms
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D minor, op. 15

Daniil Trifonov piano

Interval

Richard Strauss
Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus spoke Zarathustra), op. 30

Programme note

Fri 02 October 2026, 20:00 Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Daniil Trifonov piano

Works by
Johannes Brahms and Richard Strauss

Johannes Brahms
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D minor, op. 15

Daniil Trifonov piano

Interval

Richard Strauss
Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus spoke Zarathustra), op. 30

Programme note

Sat 03 October 2026, 19:00 Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Daniil Trifonov piano

Works by
Johannes Brahms and Richard Strauss

Johannes Brahms
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D minor, op. 15

Daniil Trifonov piano

Interval

Richard Strauss
Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus spoke Zarathustra), op. 30

Programme note

Stream

Kirill Petrenko in a black suit passionately conducts the orchestra. He holds a baton in his hand against a dark background. In front of him is a music stand with sheet music.

Thu 26 November 2026, 20:00 Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor

Works by
Giuseppe Martucci and Ottorino Respighi

Giuseppe Martucci
Notturno, op. 70 No. 1 (version for orchestra)

Ottorino Respighi
Fontane di Roma

Programme note

Ottorino Respighi
Pini di Roma

Interval

Ottorino Respighi
Feste romane

Fri 27 November 2026, 20:00 Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor

Works by
Giuseppe Martucci and Ottorino Respighi

Giuseppe Martucci
Notturno, op. 70 No. 1 (version for orchestra)

Ottorino Respighi
Fontane di Roma

Programme note

Ottorino Respighi
Pini di Roma

Interval

Ottorino Respighi
Feste romane

Sat 28 November 2026, 19:00 Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor

Works by
Giuseppe Martucci and Ottorino Respighi

Giuseppe Martucci
Notturno, op. 70 No. 1 (version for orchestra)

Ottorino Respighi
Fontane di Roma

Programme note

Ottorino Respighi
Pini di Roma

Interval

Ottorino Respighi
Feste romane

Stream

On stage are members of the orchestra with Kirill Petrenko, several cellists and other musicians playing various instruments. Two large works of art can be seen in the background.

Sun 29 November 2026, 11:00 Main Auditorium

Family Concert: “Pini di Roma”

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor and co-presentation
Nelly Danker stage direction

Works by
Ottorino Respighi

Ottorino Respighi
Pini di Roma

Kirill Petrenko in a black suit conducts the orchestra with a baton. He stands in front of a music stand against a black background.

Tue 29 December 2026, 20:00 Main Auditorium

New Year’s Eve Concert

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Alexander Malofeev piano
David Guerrier trumpet

Works by
Otto Nicolai, Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Richard Strauss and Johann Strauß jr.

Otto Nicolai
The Merry Wives of Windsor: Overture

Dmitri Shostakovich
Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and String Orchestra in C minor, op. 35
_{Alexander Malofeev}_piano,_{David Guerrier}_trumpet

Sergei Prokofiev
Symphony No. 1 in D major, op. 25 “Symphonie classique”

_{Interval (no interval on 31 Dec)}

Richard Strauss
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks), op. 28

Johann Strauß jr.
The Gypsy Baron: Overture

Wed 30 December 2026, 20:00 Main Auditorium

New Year’s Eve Concert

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Alexander Malofeev piano
David Guerrier trumpet

Works by
Otto Nicolai, Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Richard Strauss and Johann Strauß jr.

Otto Nicolai
The Merry Wives of Windsor: Overture

Dmitri Shostakovich
Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and String Orchestra in C minor, op. 35
_{Alexander Malofeev}_piano,_{David Guerrier}_trumpet

Sergei Prokofiev
Symphony No. 1 in D major, op. 25 “Symphonie classique”

_{Interval (no interval on 31 Dec)}

Richard Strauss
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks), op. 28

Johann Strauß jr.
The Gypsy Baron: Overture

Thu 31 December 2026, 17:30 Main Auditorium

New Year’s Eve Concert

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Alexander Malofeev piano
David Guerrier trumpet

Works by
Otto Nicolai, Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Richard Strauss and Johann Strauß jr.

Otto Nicolai
The Merry Wives of Windsor: Overture

Dmitri Shostakovich
Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and String Orchestra in C minor, op. 35
_{Alexander Malofeev}_piano,_{David Guerrier}_trumpet

Sergei Prokofiev
Symphony No. 1 in D major, op. 25 “Symphonie classique”

_{Interval (no interval on 31 Dec)}

Richard Strauss
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks), op. 28

Johann Strauß jr.
The Gypsy Baron: Overture

Stream

Kirill Petrenko stands at the conductor’s desk and conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker

Thu 14 January 2027, 20:00 Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Biennale Opening Concert

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor

Works by
Olivier Messiaen, Sarah Nemtsov and Paul Hindemith

Olivier Messiaen
Les Offrandes oubliées

Sarah Nemtsov
Antlitz (premiere), commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, commissioned by Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, th eLucerne Festival and the Bayerische Staatsoper

Interval

Paul Hindemith
Symphony Mathis der Maler

Programme note

Fri 15 January 2027, 20:00 Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Biennale Opening Concert

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor

Works by
Olivier Messiaen, Sarah Nemtsov and Paul Hindemith

Olivier Messiaen
Les Offrandes oubliées

Sarah Nemtsov
Antlitz (premiere), commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, commissioned by Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, th eLucerne Festival and the Bayerische Staatsoper

Interval

Paul Hindemith
Symphony Mathis der Maler

Programme note

Sat 16 January 2027, 19:00 Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Biennale Opening Concert

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor

Works by
Olivier Messiaen, Sarah Nemtsov and Paul Hindemith

Olivier Messiaen
Les Offrandes oubliées

Sarah Nemtsov
Antlitz (premiere), commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, commissioned by Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, th eLucerne Festival and the Bayerische Staatsoper

Interval

Paul Hindemith
Symphony Mathis der Maler

Programme note

Stream

A conductor speaks into a microphone on stage in front of an orchestra, whose musicians sit with their instruments and music stands during a formal concert performance.

Sun 17 January 2027, 11:00 Main Auditorium

Family Concert: “Mathis der Maler”

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor and co-presentation
Nelly Danker stage direction

Works by
Paul Hindemith

Paul Hindemith
Symphony Mathis der Maler

Programme note

Kirill Petrenko conducts the orchestra with a baton. He stands on a podium, with sheet music in front of him. Wearing a black suit, he has a focused expression, and in the background, there is a dimly lit audience.

Thu 28 January 2027, 20:00 Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Golda Schultz soprano
Wiebke Lehmkuhl contralto
Sebastian Kohlhepp tenor
David Steffens bass
Rundfunkchor Berlin

Works by
Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven
Missa solemnis in D major, op. 123

Fri 29 January 2027, 20:00 Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Golda Schultz soprano
Wiebke Lehmkuhl contralto
Sebastian Kohlhepp tenor
David Steffens bass
Rundfunkchor Berlin

Works by
Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven
Missa solemnis in D major, op. 123

Sat 30 January 2027, 19:00 Biennale of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Golda Schultz soprano
Wiebke Lehmkuhl contralto
Sebastian Kohlhepp tenor
David Steffens bass
Rundfunkchor Berlin

Works by
Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven
Missa solemnis in D major, op. 123

Stream

Sat 03 April 2027, 17:00 Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Jamez McCorkle tenor (Siegmund)
Christopher Maltman baritone (Wotan)
Brindley Sherratt bass (Hunding)
Christina Nilsson soprano (Sieglinde)
Lise Davidsen soprano (Brünnhilde)
Catriona Morison mezzo-soprano (Fricka)
Tessa McQueen soprano (Helmwige)
Aviva Fortunata soprano (Gerhilde)
Hedvig Haugerud soprano (Ortlinde)
Natalie Lewis mezzo-soprano (Waltraute)
Xenia Puskarz Thomas mezzo-soprano (Siegrune)
Fleuranne Brockway mezzo-soprano (Roßweiße)
Aytaj Shikhalizada contralto (Grimgerde)
Ekaterina Chayka-Rubinstein contralto (Schwertleite)

Works by
Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner
Die Walküre

Stream

Wed 28 April 2027, 20:00 Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Leif Ove Andsnes piano

Works by
Felix Mendelssohn, Edvard Grieg and Ludwig van Beethoven

Felix Mendelssohn
The Hebrides Overture, op. 26

Programme note

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

Leif Ove Andsnes piano

Programme note

Interval

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

Programme note

Thu 27 May 2027, 20:00 25 years Education & Outreach
Main Auditorium

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
N. N.
Elena Villalón soprano (Gretel)
Alexandra Ionis mezzo-soprano (Gertrud)
Wolfgang Koch baritone (Peter)
Gerhard Siegel tenor (Gingerbread Witch)
Serafina Starke soprano (Dewman)
Shannon Keegan contralto (Sandman)
Vokalhelden
Matthias Davids stage direction
Andrew D. Edwards stage design and costumes

Works by
Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck
Hänsel und Gretel

Sat 29 May 2027, 19:00 25 years Education & Outreach
Main Auditorium

Works by
Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck
Hänsel und Gretel

Stream

Sun 30 May 2027, 19:00 25 years Education & Outreach
Main Auditorium

Works by
Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck
Hänsel und Gretel

Kirill Petrenko in the 2026/27 season Kirill Petrenko in the 2026/27 season

Concerts with Kirill Petrenko 2026/27 Concerts with Kirill Petrenko 2026/27

Kirill Petrenko in the 2026/27 season

Concerts with Kirill Petrenko 2026/27