Qigang Chen , born in China and coming to Europe in 1984, is considered the last student of Olivier Messiaen. In five very short movements, the orchestra portrays the "Five Elements" ("Wu Xing") according to Chinese philosophy: water, wood, fire, earth and metal - in that order. The wood and metal sound of the orchestral percussion plays an important role.

Myth and Nature

Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr

“It is the best thing I have written in my life”, declared Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1784 of his piano quintet. Many of his most famous works had not yet been written, but the quintet remains a Mozartian jewel, with its melodic beauty and charming dialogues between the instruments. It is no wonder that the young Ludwig van Beethoven was inspired by Mozart’s example to write an equally enchanting quintet. Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker play both works with pianist Kit Armstrong. Contemporary counterpoints are provided in the form of wind quintets by Hans Werner Henze and Wolfgang Rihm.

Dominik Wollenweber

Events

Past events

5 - 6 Jul, 2025

Myth and Nature · Bochumer Symphoniker

Feb 11, 2025

Philharmonic chamber music Piano quintets by Mozart and Beethoven with Kit Armstrong · Berliner Philharmoniker

Future and recently performed repertoire

Oboe in Wind Quintet by Rihm

Berliner Philharmoniker

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