“Close-up”

New perspectives on classic works

Close-up is a new outreach format with the Berliner Philharmoniker and chief conductor Kirill Petrenko developed in spring 2021 for young people and young adults. The format shows in a tangible way how different realities relate to, complement and influence each other. This new offer with and for teenagers and young adults is intended as a further contribution by the Berliner Philharmoniker and its chief conductor Kirill Petrenko to providing fresh access to classical music in the digital world.

“The Firebird”

With Igor Stravinsky's ballet music The Firebird, we dive deep into the world of fairy tales: we meet magical beings, a prince, a princess and an evil sorcerer. How did the composer set the story to music? How can different art forms such as dance and music interact? And what does the fairy tale have to do with our world today? These and other questions will be discussed in this Close-up by young people, participating musicians and chief conductor Kirill Petrenko.

“Close up” about Igor Stavinsky’s “The Firebird”

“Romeo & Juliet”

It is perhaps the most famous love story in world literature: With his Fantasy Overture Peter Tchaikovsky set Romeo and Juliet to music. In our Close-up, young people, members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, actor Ulrich Matthes and Kirill Petrenko explore the great themes: Love, conflict and reconciliation — and how they sound. In between, the film offers exciting insights into orchestra rehearsals.

“Close-up”: Tchaikowsky's “Romeo & Juliet”


Berlin Symphony

The first film, based on Kurt Weill’s Berliner Symphonie, provides exciting insights into the composer’s life and work. This symphony contains much of the spirit of optimism which followed the First World War, of the turmoil and the desire for peace. The film shows how conductor and orchestra go on a voyage of discovery to the Berlin of the early twenties.

“Close-up”: Kurt Weills Berliner Symphonie