Open-air concert at the Brandenburg Gate

For the first time ever! To celebrate the inauguration of their new chief conductor Kirill Petrenko, the Berliner Philharmoniker invite you to a free, open-air concert. The Brandenburg Gate forms the spectacular backdrop to one of the greatest symphonic masterpieces of the 19th century: the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, the 250th anniversary of whose birth coincides with this season and whose works form a theme in the orchestra and its chief conductor’s programme this year. The magnificent final movement with its closing chorus of Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” could hardly better express the enthusiasm with which Petrenko and the Philharmoniker start off on their future together. The conductor and orchestra want to share this joy with the largest possible audience at the open-air concert, a musical welcome from the new chief conductor to Berliners and all guests of the city.

Declaration of faith in humanity

At the same time, the Ninth also conveys an important statement: it is a clear declaration of faith in humanity and the equality of all people. Quite apart from that, it bears witness to Beethoven’s great compositional mastery: in this symphony, he creates a unique, exciting musical universe that culminates in its famous, anthemic choral finale. In addition to the inauguration of Kirill Petrenko, there are other reasons to celebrate: the open-air concert at this historic site also recalls the fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago and moreover honours the 30-year partnership between the orchestra and Deutsche Bank which supports this concert together with the Friends of the Berliner Philharmoniker e.V.