Doing good work and enjoying the great works
Who are the Friends of the Berliner Philharmoniker?
Let’s start with a thought experiment: What would Berlin’s musical life be without the Friends of the Berliner Philharmoniker? Hans Scharoun’s visionary Philharmonie would probably never have been built, and the Chamber Music Hall would not exist either. The Berliner Philharmoniker would no longer be able to give their annual European Concert, which is broadcast all over the world. Kirill Petrenko would not have been greeted with a grand open-air spectacle in front of the Brandenburg Gate when he took office. And even the sound of the Philharmoniker would not be as good, since the Friends of the Orchestra continue buying valuable instruments for the orchestra; young members could not afford to buy such instruments themselves, given the exploding costs of the instrument market.
You don’t have to be able to see the future to make a prediction: today, tomorrow and thereafter, the “Friends” will be more important than ever. Cultural funding is becoming increasingly fragile, a development with implications well beyond the Berliner Philharmoniker. Painful cuts in the programme and thus also in quality are to be feared unless truly everyone who cares about the Philharmoniker resolves to stand behind them. The “Friends” are desperately needed as a large citizens’ initiative. And it is so easy to help: From just 150 euros a year, you can be a member – and you will also be closely involved in orchestral life.
Three matinees per season are organised by Philharmoniker ensembles exclusively for the Friends. These are moderated concerts where you can also get to know the individual musicians in conversation. There are also rehearsal visits and discussion rounds: Here, the orchestra members offer intimate insights into their lives and speak from the heart.
Being a member of the “Friends” is also great fun! You get to do good work while experiencing great art. Last but not least, the Friends is a large network of like-minded people of all ages. Here you can meet others who share your interests. You can talk shop and share your latest discoveries with peers. The “Young Friends”, for whom the membership fee is reduced to 100 euros (or 50 euros for students), meet frequently at the regulars’ table and visit other cultural institutions together. Even marriages and lifelong partnerships are said to have been arranged among the “Friends” …
These are the Friends of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Do we want to become friends?
Your benefits
- Exclusive events with Berliner Philharmoniker, such as dress rehearsal visits, matinees and receptions
- Advantages when ordering tickets, selecting seats for subscriptions, etc.
- Many other benefits are offered according to membership type (friend, supporter, patron)
You can find an overview of all the benefits here.
Main Auditorium
Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Works by
Works by William Byrd, Felix Mendelssohn, Elena Kats-Chernin and Richard Strauss
In dialogue with chief conductor Kirill Petrenko and other prominent guests
William Byrd The Earl of Oxford's March (arr. Elgar Howarth)
Brass ensemble of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Felix Mendelssohn Octet for Strings in E-flat major, op. 20
String ensemble of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Elena Kats-Chernin Memorial Rag
Vokalhelden Berlin
Richard Strauss Serenade for 13 wind instruments in E-flat major, op. 7
Wind ensemble of the Berliner Philharmoniker
There will be discussions with chief conductor Kirill Petrenko and other prominent guests between the musical pieces.
For members, guests welcome.
Auction as part of the matinee
15 exclusive experiences with the Berliner Philharmoniker
What would it be like to conduct the Berliner Philharmoniker? Or organise a house concert with members of the orchestra in your living room? As part of the matinee, you can bid for 15 special performances with Berliner Philharmoniker musicians at an auction in aid of the “Friends”.
Although the matinee is already fully booked, you still have one last chance to bid: If you spontaneously decide to become a member now, you can still be there. Simply visit the “Friends” website and enter the keyword “Friends Anniversary” in the “How I found out about the Friends” field. You will then receive your admission document. And you can look forward to another surprise: the two orchestra board members Eva-Maria Tomasi and Stefan Dohr will personally attach the Friends’ pin to your clothing at the drinks reception. A souvenir photo of this great moment is included free of charge.
Young circle of friends
The Young Friends aim to interest young adults in Philharmonic life and classical music – with exclusive events, exciting discussion rounds and joint excursions.
Mehr erfahren
Events of the Friends of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Learn more
“A matter of the heart for the whole of Germany”
A citizens’ movement initiated the reconstruction of the Philharmonie Berlin
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