The eleventh edition of Classical:NEXT, the world’s largest networking event for classical music professionals, opened last night in Berlin’s Pierre Boulez Saal.
A selection of pioneering Berlin ensembles welcomed the conference’s international guests to the capital – musicians from the the in-house Barenboim-Said Academy, the Stegreif Orchestra – known for improvisation and movement in space -, the Operndolmuş of the Komische Oper Berlin – the „musical collective taxi” that aims to inspire people with music theatre wherever they are -, the Zafraan Ensemble – for contemporary music across genre boundaries – and the Third Orchestra, which led a final improvisation with all the other ensembles under the direction of Peter Wiegold.
Classical:NEXT is making its first guest appearance in Berlin, where – as Joe Chialo, Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion, announced yesterday – it is to find a permanent home.
„Classical:NEXT found a home in Berlin. They are a perfect match made in heaven. Our capital city and the festival with its growing community complement each other. From now on, Classical:NEXT shall be a constant in Berlin’s cultural and conference calendar. You are now supposed to put your hands together!” was how a visibly proud and cheerful Senator Joe Chialo welcomed the more than 500 opening night guests to his city. A total of over 1000 delegates have already registered for Classical:NEXT.
Fabienne Krause, director of Classical:NEXT thanked the senator and the city for their support and highlighted the enthusiasm one could sense amongst all visitors with Classical:NEXT’s return after a strategic break in 2023: „Tonight we celebrate that the long wait is over and all the tireless efforts finally succeeded. Classical:NEXT is back! It is wonderful to see delegates coming from all over the world in such high numbers again.”
Fabienne Krause also pointed out the bigger picture, which the art music scene stands for: „In these times it is more important than ever to stick together – we show that culture and social cohesion can be key to addressing challenges we face as human beings.”
Classical:NEXT, which for its first ten editions was produced by Berlin-based Piranha Arts, has now come home to Berlin and established itself with a new structure and new partners. Board member Karsten Witt thanked all supporters and the entire team of Classical:NEXT: „We are very excited that we succeeded in bringing Classical:NEXT to Berlin. While almost all of the programme is jury selected, we curated the opening concert: With the event coming to Berlin for the first time, we thought we should make the international community familiar with some of Berlin’s finest ensembles. And we are honoured they have agreed to join. Tonight’s programme was typical of Classical:NEXT: New content in an unusual setting and a dialogue between different people with different backgrounds.”
Ole Bækhøj, director of Pierre Boulez Saal also drew a connection between his hall, the programme and Classical:NEXT: „Pierre Boulez Saal, the Barenboim Said Academy as well as the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra promote the idea of curiosity. It is very important for me to present different genres and programmes with equal respect here. We encourage people to talk and listen to something different each evening, unknown, but always enriching. I think that idea to really listen to each other connects with the idea of Classical:NEXT quite well – eye level, surprising inspiration and thinking out of the box.”
The rest of the programme of the classical music trade fair and conference with performance showcase festival begins today at Berlin’s Colosseum Cinema and Holzmarkt with special concerts and networking events throughout the city, including a „Candlelight Concert” in the Gethsemane Church and the presentation of the “Classical:NEXT Innovation Award”. Music professionals can still register for the event on site.