Esa-Pekka Salonen joins the Berlin Philharmonic as composer in residence for the 22/23 season. Concerts include a wide range of Salonen’s music from the Dada inspired Karawane, to his most recent chamber piece Saltat Sobrius, and the German premiere of the organ concerto.
December 21 & 22, 2022 – Philharmonie
Helix (2005) 9’
Helix, originally commissioned for the BBC Proms, opens the concert, building from an idyllic opening to its vehement conclusion. Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducts.
January 19–21, 2023 – Philharmonie
Concerto for organ and orchestra (2022) 25’
Salonen conducts the German premiere of his organ concerto with Olivier Latry as soloist. He brings this brand new work to Berlin fresh from its world premiere in Poland with NOSPR on January 13. The Organ Concerto is co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra of the Polish Radio Katowice, Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonie de Paris, Los Angeles Philharmonic and NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.
January 21, 2023 – Philharmonie
Saltat sobrius: Fantasy upon Sederunt Principes (2020) 11’
Fog (for 13 Instruments) (2019) 10’
A Late Night concert including performances of Saltat sobrius: Fantasy upon Sederunt Principes and Fog.
March 17, 2023 – Chamber Music Hall
Catch and Release (2006) 22’
May 18–20, 2023 – Philharmonie
Karawane (2014) 28’
Finnish conductor Mikko Franck leads the Berliner Philharmoniker and Rundfunkchor Berlin in Salonen’s Karawane for choir and orchestra. Salonen sets the text of Karawane by Hugo Ball, perhaps the best-known example of ‘Lautpoesie’ (‘Sound Poetry’) which uses a language governed by its sounds rather than inherent linguistic meaning. Reviewing Salonen’s piece, the Los Angeles Times described it as ‘Stravinsky on Steroids’.
Watch this exclusive in depth interview about Salonen's vision, his life, his career, and the residency itself with the Berliner Philharmoniker.
