About ensemble unitedberlin

35 years of presence on the concert stage

Imaginative, courageously forward-looking and always on the cutting edge: ensemble unitedberlin is an indispensable force on the international contemporary music scene. Since 1989, the ensemble has been performing contemporary works, crossing borders both factually and figuratively, tackling difficult social issues, criticising political grievances and commemorating significant historical events.

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Historic stroke of luck

The ensemble unitedberlin was founded in the midst of German reunification as a symbol of the reconnection of music and musicians in the long-divided city. Its history is not only carried on in its name, but it is dedicated to working with the history of division and reunification in Germany and the work of composers on both sides of the faded Iron Curtain.

»We see our role of mediating interpreters as exhibitors of the musical avant-garde – with the aim of creating a profitable reality for artists and consumers alike.«

— Andreas Bräutigam
Founding member

But then, over the course of the almost sixty minutes that Ullmann’s PRAHA lasts, it becomes clear that music is capable of doing more to us listeners: instead of leaning back, we tense up, prick up our ears, listen into the fog to understand the names that are read out. To actively pull them out of the monotony of horror. And then, in the end it all becomes: right. A woman with the surname Klemperer, a man with the first name Otto … Almost all of the Prague residents mentioned were deported on 20 August 1942: A fraction of the genocide in a single day. And each a single fate, a single person, unique and irretrievable

(Albrecht Selge, van-magazin,  24. April 2024)

This is unitedberlin

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Ensemble in Residence

unitedberlin has worked closely with the Konzerthaus Berlin for many years. This cooperation resulted in the Konzerthaus inviting unitedberlin to be the Ensemble in Residence for four years, with Vladimir Jurowski as Artistic Advisor, thus bringing a collaboration which started 25 years ago with joint concerts and CD productions full circle.

Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt Berlin
Vladimir Jurowski dirigiert das Ensemble
Vladimir Jurowski

Vladimir Jurowski is the Artistic Advisor of ensemble unitedberlin. The internationally renowned conductor has been General Music Director of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich and Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra since 2021.

Biography

Biography

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ensemble unitedberlin

Imaginative, courageously forward-looking and always on the cutting edge: ensemble unitedberlin is an indispensable force on the international contemporary music scene. Since 1989, the ensemble has been performing contemporary works, crossing borders both literally and figuratively, tackling difficult social issues, criticising political grievances and commemorating significant historical events.

As self-proclaimed ‘curators of the avant-garde’, the ensemble members are always on the lookout for varied sounds that move people, jar them or encourage reflection. In order to inspire as many people as possible with contemporary music and let the inspiration spread far and wide, they take unusual paths and repeatedly incorporate various other art forms into their concerts: Dance, literature, original soundtracks, surviving witness accounts, staged performances, electronics, audiovisual media and even culinary delights. In addition to purely musical experiences, audiences can often expect a multimedia feast for the senses. unitedberlin also explores musical forms beyond contemporary classical music, for example an excursion into the rock world of Frank Zappa.

The ensemble’s concert programmes usually stand on their own, but concert series such as the recurring theme: The Dream of Resistance, are also conceived, which in recent years has focused on the many forms of rebellion against unjust regimes in history.

unitedberlin has a remarkable core of musicians and is thus able to organise a large part of the performances of its broad repertoire with its own members. By commissioning works from well-known composers or young newcomers, often with a connection to Berlin, the ensemble contributes to the promotion and evolution of contemporary music. For its performances, it works with high-calibre conductors who, like the ensemble members, are passionate about conveying contemporary music and approach the works in the most complex ways possible, so that a rewarding atmosphere can be created for the participating artists and the audience alike. Vladimir Jurowski has played a special role in this since 1993, creating many programmes in his current position as Artistic Advisor and conducting the ensemble regularly.

Ensemble unitedberlin also enjoys a highly esteemed collaboration with the Konzerthaus Berlin, where it performs four concerts a year, making it one of the permanent fixtures of every season at this well-known institution.

Both in terms of concert themes and while actually on tour, the ensemble explores other countries and their cultures. The ensemble has performed in France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Romania, Russia, Korea, the USA and South America, among others.

ensemble unitedberlin was founded in the midst of German reunification as a symbol of the reconnection of music and musicians in the long-divided city. Its history is not only carried on in its name, but it is also dedicated to the division of Germany and the work of composers on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

The discography of unitedberlin has steadily grown over the years, including works by Luigi Nono, compositions by Jan Cyž from Bautzen and ‘X-MAS CONTEMPORARY’, a collection of Christmas carols from the 21st century with baritone Dietrich Henschel under the direction of Vladimir Jurowski.