June 22 – 25, 2023 | Berlin, Germany

The Grand Finale …
A special highlight on June 25, the last day of the CHORALSPACE Summer Festival 2023:
The joint performance of Brahms Requiem conducted by Simon Halsey at the Philharmonie Berlin.

Innovative Choral Collaborations
in Berlin’s Top Venues

The four days of preparation leading to the final performance are an excellent opportunity for the participants to get to know each other, to create beautiful musical moments and to explore Berlin’s irresistible charm. Additional showcases of selected ensembles as well as a fringe program with concerts in some of Berlin’s most beautiful venues will make this project an unforgettable experience.

Johannes Brahms
Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45

“It is a truly tremendous piece of art which moves the entire being in a way little else does.” Clara Schumann

What touched Clara Schumann so deeply is shared broadly by musicians and lovers of classical music all over the world. Since its first full performance in 1868 in Bremen, Brahms’ Requiem is one of the key works in the music history. The reputation of the work is based on its concentrated musical structure and the original conception of the text. Brahms uses passages from both the Old and New Testaments so that words of sorrow and consolation would refer to one another. Brahms places the choir in the center of his work which makes it one of the most performed oratorios by the world’s best professional choirs and enthusiastic amateurs as well.

Simon Halsey
Principal Conductor

Simon Halsey occupies a unique position in classical music. He is the trusted advisor on choral singing to the world’s greatest conductors, orchestras and choruses. As an ambassador for choral singing to amateurs of every age, ability and background he has led ground-breaking massed choral events around the world. Making singing a central part of the world-class institutions with which he is associated, he has been instrumental in changing the level of symphonic singing across Europe. Simon Halsey won the Grammy Award in 2008, 2009 and 2011 for his recordings with the Berlin Radio Choir.

Soloists

The soloists of the concert are Iwona Sobotka (Soprano) and Georg Streuber (Baritone).

Ensemble Crescere
Donka Miteva

The Ensemble Crescere is CHORALSPACE’s own orchestra for choral symphonic projects. The young ensemble made its debut at the Philharmonie Berlin in March 2022 with the Coronation Anthems conducted by Simon Carrington. In June 2023 the ensemble will perform “Ein Deutsches Requiem” by Johannes Brahms under the direction of Simon Halsey in the Philharmonie Berlin. Ensemble Crescere is led by Donka Miteva.

Program of the concert

Johannes Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem Op. 45

Schedule
of the event

JUNE 22, 2023
16:00 – 19:00 Choir and Piano Rehearsal 1 (all participants) at Haus des Rundfunks (Großer Sendesaal)
21:00 – 22:30 Fringe program
Welcoming Concert (selected ensembles) at Matthäuskirche (Kulturforum)

JUNE 23, 2023
14:00 – 16:00 Choir and Piano Rehearsal 2 (all participants) at Haus des Rundfunks (Großer Sendesaal)
17:00 – 19:00 Choir and Orchestra Rehearsal (all participants) at Haus des Rundfunks (Großer Sendesaal)
20:00 – 21:30 Fringe program
Concert with Sångkraft (Sweden), Neon Vokal (Norway) & Canzoneo (Berlin) at Luisenkirche
20:00 – 20:45 Fringe program
Concert “Suden Aika” with Philomela Choir (Finland) at Matthäuskirche (Kulturforum)
21:30 – 22:15 Fringe program
Concert “Suden Aika” with Philomela Choir (Finland) at Matthäuskirche (Kulturforum)

JUNE 24, 2023
14:00 – 17:00 Dress Rehearsal at the Philharmonie Berlin
19:00 – 20:00 Fringe program
Concert with Knabenchor Hösel (Deutschland) & Western Oregon University Choir (USA) at Matthäuskirche (Kulturforum)
21:00 – 23:00 Fringe program
Concert “Night of Choirs” #1 with choirs from Greece, Norway & Sweden at Matthäuskirche (Kulturforum)
21:00 – 23:00 Fringe program
Concert “Night of Choirs” #2 with choirs from Estonia, Finland, Greece, Italy & Norway at Luisenkirche

JUNE 25, 2023
14:30 – 15:30 Placement and acoustic check at the Philharmonie Berlin
16:00 – 18:00 Concert at the Philharmonie Berlin

Concerts of the Festival

---

Overview of costs Brahms Project
for performes and friends

The participation fee for the four-day project and the concert is EUR 95.00.
Accompanying persons, family members, friends or colleagues are offered a reduced participation fee of EUR 55.00 per person. This includes access to all rehearsals, to the fringe program and a ticket in the best ticket category for the concert at the Philharmonie Berlin.

---

Register now

---

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us.