Season Debut as Berliner Philharmoniker's Artist in Residence

Seong-Jin Cho will make his first appearance as the Berliner Philharmoniker’s 2024/25 Artist in Residence on October 4, 5, and 6. This debut performance showcases Cho’s versatility, featuring Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano, Trumpet, and String Orchestra as its centrepiece. This dynamic piece combines playful wit with profound emotion, demonstrating Shostakovich’s distinctive voice in blending classical forms with modern sensibilities. Berliner Philharmoniker member Guillaume Jehl will join Cho as the solo trumpet performer, reuniting after their previous collaboration on this piece for a Digital Concert Hall performance during the pandemic.

Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi leads the orchestra through a diverse programme. It opens with Veljo Tormis’s Overture No. 2, which sets an energetic tone with its rich harmonies and vibrant rhythms, reflecting Tormis’s deep connection to Estonian folk music and choral traditions. The concert then concludes with Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1 in C minor. Järvi will present the original 1868 version of Bruckner’s symphony, which marks the composer’s early style, characterised by grand orchestration and intricate thematic development. This powerful exploration of symphonic structure reflects Bruckner’s deep admiration for the traditions of Beethoven and Wagner.

The October 5 performance will be streamed live via the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Digital Concert Hall at 19:00 CEST, bringing Cho’s residency debut to a global audience. A repeat of the stream will be available on Sunday, October 6, at 13:00 CEST.

Photo: Christoph Köstlin / Deutsche Grammophon