Klangwerkstatt Berlin 2021 brings people back into the concert hall and the former normality becomes the special. Concerts, performances, music theatre, family concerts, children’s and youth ensembles, moderations and talks as well as 5 lunchtime concerts with snacks. It may seem perplexing that this year’s Klangwerkstatt Berlin focuses on an aspect that almost echoes the Lockdown era: the loudspeaker.
The loudspeaker plays the main role in several ways at this year’s Klangwerkstatt Berlin: in the concerts of the Berliner Lautsprecherorchester and the Kreuzberger Klarinettenkollektiv as well as in a performance by Sirje Viise and Ulrike Ruf. They all use the loudspeaker as an instrument in its own right, that is, for what it is: a sound generator. Not the illusion of mere transmission and representation of something else, but the vibrating membrane in the space itself. In this way, “Live” is compelling, even if it seems like a paradox in the case of a technical device.
The rest of the programme promises a lot of exciting things – even without speakers. As always, all generations will be present, from primary school children to internationally renowned professionals. Children, youth orchestras and student ensembles will perform. The KNM Campus Days unite amateur ensembles from Great Britain, the Netherlands and Berlin with the professionals of the KNM Berlin. We have the up-and-coming Ensemble S201 from Essen as our guest, a music-theatrical piece by François Sarhan with ensemble mosaik, an experimental evening for flutes, objects, electronics and video, a piano recital and an international programme by the festival ensemble progress.
Not only family concerts, moderations and talks invite to an exchange, but above all five lunchtime concerts with snacks. On weekdays, in the midst of hectic everyday life, they offer a retreat and space to listen to music with different ears and to engage in conversation over soup and drinks. We are here. To listen to music together, to play it, to talk about it. That which has temporarily almost become utopia becomes real again, new and remains fresh. We look forward to seeing you.
Please note, the festival takes place over two venues:
Kunstquartier Bethanien — Berlin-Kreuzberg
Fahrbereitschaft — Berlin-Lichtenberg
Klangwerkstatt Berlin – Festival for contemporary classical music
5th – 14th November 2021
Kunstquartier Bethanien | Mariannenplatz 2 | 10997 Berlin
klangwerkstatt-berlin.de | Event @ Facebook
