Elbphilharmonie Talk with Rhiannon Giddens

Grammy award winner, singer, banjo virtuoso, bluegrass revivalist, opera composer, author, cultural history detective: there are many labels for Rhiannon Giddens — and none of them is really adequate. Because the American artist moves effortlessly between musical worlds, historical narratives and artistic forms of expression. So, who could be better suited to organise the »Reflektor« Festival for the 10th anniversary of the Elbphilharmonie? From 25 to 29 November, she curates nine concerts and is also onstage herself: as a singer and banjo player in a duo with her longstanding musical partner Francesco Turrisi and also as artistic director of the Silkroad Ensemble founded by Yo-Yo Ma.

In this »Elbphilharmonie Talk«, Giddens recounts how she conceived the festival programme as a space for encounters, exchange and new connections. She speaks with infectious enthusiasm about the hidden stories of American music, the origins of the banjo as an instrument of the African diaspora and about why musical traditions never emerge in isolation, but result from cultural overlaps. She even sees soundtracks for films and video games as an opportunity to create new approaches. She also gives insights into her work as an author and illustrator – and about how much she appreciates knitting as a creative outlet. 

Five days with the versatile artist in all her facets – in a duo, with ensemble, film, literature, opera and many guests

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Anyone listening to Giddens quickly realises: this is not just a musician speaking here, but a passionate storyteller and researcher. Raised in North Carolina, originally trained as an opera singer and subsequently co-founder of the Grammy-award winning string band Carolina Chocolate Drops, she has naturally moved between folk, opera, Americana and experimental concert formats for years. With great curiosity, she tunnels her way through music history, challenges traditional narratives and uncovers cultural connections which were long overlooked.

The same idea is always at the heart of her work — bringing people together and making something new emerge collectively. This approach also shapes the festival programme: Appalachia encounters West Africa; folk, baroque music; historical research, the vibrant world of today. In this way, the »Reflektor« becomes not just an exciting festival, but a musical search for clues — and a plea to understand culture as something in common.