Berliner Philharmoniker*

In the organizer's words:

PROGRAM

MAHLER Symphony No. 9 in D major

Unique sound aesthetics and playing culture - this is what the Berliner Philharmoniker stand for. Its history has been shaped by its outstanding collaboration with some of the greatest conductors of its time. Herbert von Karajan helped the orchestra to achieve world fame. Claudio Abbado, in turn, set new programmatic accents as chief conductor, especially with contemporary compositions. Sir Simon Rattle continued to expand the repertoire until 2018 and established innovative concert formats, such as the "Digital Concert Hall" video streaming platform.

Kirill Petrenko has been at the helm of the orchestra since 2019, making him the seventh chief conductor in the orchestra's 142-year history. He has made guest appearances at the world's most important opera houses, from the Vienna State Opera, London's Covent Garden and the Opéra national in Paris to the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Bayreuth Festival. His appointment was greeted with great enthusiasm by the music world. "Petrenko brings an incredible freshness and vitality to the music. His ability to inspire an orchestra and capture the essence of a piece is remarkable," says Sir Simon Rattle.

At this concert, you will have the rare pleasure of experiencing Mahler's profound 9th Symphony. It is Mahler's last completed work. Music at the end of the Romantic period and on the threshold of modernity: it is a farewell to life, but at the same time an ode to its beauty. The multi-layered work, which captivates through its heterogeneity and conflict - it is of enduring topicality. You can look forward to some top-class musical moments with the star conductor and the world-class orchestra!

*In cooperation with the Philharmonie Essen.