The Berliner Philharmoniker and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin are expanding their collaboration. A new cooperation agreement reaffirms their shared commitment to excellence, innovation and social responsibility.
Art and science share a determination to push beyond boundaries. The Berliner Philharmoniker enjoys an international reputation for artistic excellence and interpretative insight, as well as for nurturing young international talent and promoting cultural education in Berlin and beyond. The Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin combines outstanding patient care with world-class biomedical research and academic teaching. In this new partnership, the two institutions join forces to advance knowledge at the intersection of music, health and medicine.
The aim of the cooperation is to investigate the ways in which music can contribute to prevention, recovery, mental health and quality of life, and to translate these insights into practical applications. At the same time, the partnership seeks to open up new perspectives on resilience, creativity and performance in demanding professional environments such as orchestras.
Over the coming years, the collaboration will be expanded step by step. Planned initiatives include research projects on music and prevention, music physiology, mental health, the neurobiological basis of music’s effects, and digital technologies. In addition, both partners plan to develop formats that make the connections between music and medicine accessible to the wider public – for example through dialogue concerts or music-based health programmes.
Andrea Zietzschmann, General Manager of the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, comments: “The Charité and the Berliner Philharmoniker are both world-class institutions which are now joining forces in a pioneering alliance. The influence of music extends far beyond the concert hall – it touches people, connects communities, and has been shown to promote health and quality of life. In partnership with Charité, we see a wonderful opportunity to combine artistic and scientific excellence, and to develop a deeper understanding of how music can empower individuals.”
Prof. Heyo K. Kroemer, Chief Executive Officer of Charité, adds:
“When two institutions of global standing work together, it sends a powerful signal for Berlin. Our collaboration with the Berliner Philharmoniker opens up new perspectives at the intersection of medicine, science and culture. Together, we want to explore how music can support prevention, healing and mental health – and ensure that these insights benefit both medical practice and society as a whole.”
The partnership is conceived as a long-term collaboration and reflects a clear shared vision: music and medicine in dialogue – for the benefit of people far beyond Berlin.