Mediatheque

Mediatheque Stories tagged #ContemporaryMusic

Lachenmann theme park

The German composer turns music into an experience. His works are not just sound structures, but invitations to rediscover listening itself.

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: Arvo Pärt: »Tabula rasa«

mit dem Estonian Festival Orchestra, Midori, Hans Christian Aavik und Paavo Järvi

Arvo Pärt in Portrait

The composer was the focus of the »Lux aeterna« festival opening.

Arvo Pärt: »Adam’s Lament«
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Video on demand from 3 Feb 2020 : Arvo Pärt: »Adam’s Lament«

Simple, mystical, powerful: Arvo Pärt's famous composition »Adam's Lament« for choir and string orchestra in the Grand Hall

Helmut Lachenmann im Portrait

Reflexion statt Reflex, das ist es, was der widerspenstige Komponist mit seiner Musik auslösen möchte.

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Martin Fröst / Alan Gilbert

Star clarinettist Martin Fröst celebrates the start of his residency with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.

Fazıl Say / Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra

Fazıl Say appears both as composer and pianist in the Grand Hall, presenting his own Sixth Symphony alongside evergreens like Gershwin’s thrilling »Rhapsody in Blue«

»Wow, so that's how it can sound!«

Composer-conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen about the »Multiversum« in the Elbphilharmonie, swarm intelligence in orchestras and the difficulties of the classical repertoire.

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: Elbphilharmonie Sessions: Zubin Kanga

Wearing sensor gloves and surrounded by synthesizers, the musician and tech innovator Zubin Kanga brings his futuristic project »Cyborg Pianist« to life.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
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Video on demand from 1 Mar 2025 : Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

A real orchestral hit in the Grand Hall: the Aurora Orchestra plays Beethoven's famous Seventh Symphony – by heart.

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: Concert film »World Builder, Creature«

Alex Paxton’s music comes to life in an artistic concert film with hand-painted animations.

Pierre Boulez – A Portrait

A look back at the life and legacy of the revolutionary composer and sought-after conductor, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2025.

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: Elbphilharmonie Sessions: Julia Hagen

The young star cellist Julia Hagen fills the Elbphilharmonie car park with music by Sofia Gubaidulina

Alban Berg’s »Wozzeck«: a key work of modernism

Alban Berg broke new ground with his opera, which premiered in 1925 – both in terms of content and music.

Interview with Matthias Goerne

Baritone Matthias Goerne on the enduring relevance of Alban Berg’s »Wozzeck« and the future of classical music.

The future potential of AI in music

Art is considered as an example of a profoundly human quality: creativity. What’s happening to this creativity in the age of artificial intelligence?

A body of light and sound

Philip Glass’ film score for »Koyaanisqatsi« redefined the interplay between visual and acoustic spheres. This civilisation-critical »Gesamtkunstwerk« remains frighteningly relevant today.

John Cage: Squaring the keys

In »Cage2«, Bertrand Chamayou and Elodie Sicard stage early works for prepared piano by John Cage.

Interview with Seung-Won Oh

The South Korean composer dedicates her orchestral work »Spiri III: Sacred Ritual« to the great Sofia Gubaidulina, who died in March 2025.

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: Elbphilharmonie Explains: Twelve-tone music

»Liberated from a prison« – Arnold Schönberg revolutionised the music of the 20th century with his twelve-tone technique.