Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO) was praised by the Süddeutsche Zeitung as an “orchestral think tank” among the capital's orchestras. It is characterized by the rich dramaturgy of its programmes, its commitment to contemporary music and regular repertoire discoveries, as well as its courage to use unusual concert formats and forms of presentation. The DSO has provided innovative impulses with electro projects, the production of sensational music films, as well as through interdisciplinary cooperation and collaboration with ensembles from the independent scene. For over 15 years, it has successfully bridged the gap between club and classical music with its moderated casual concerts including lounge and live act, reaching a diverse audience.
Since 2014, it has been bringing together amateur and professional musicians to form Berlin's largest spontaneous orchestra, the 'Symphonic Mob' - a concept that is now also licensed throughout Europe. In the 2023/2024 season, the DSO caused a worldwide sensation with a feminist music policy initiative under the motto “No concert without a female composer!”. Making works by women composers more audible is an important concern for the orchestra. The 2024/2025 season will take place in cooperation with the German Stage Association's “Orchestra for Democracy” campaign; in this context, the positioning for an open society and the advocacy for marginalized groups will be underlined in various concert programs.
Through numerous guest performances, the DSO is present as a cultural ambassador for Berlin and Germany in national and international musical life. In recent years, it has given concerts in Brazil and Argentina, Japan, China, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi and Eastern Europe, as well as at major festivals such as the Salzburg Festival and the BBC Proms. The DSO is also in demand around the world for its award-winning CD productions. In 2011, it received the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for the world premiere recording of Kaija Saariaho's 'L'amour de loin' under Kent Nagano's baton. The recording of Elgar's Violin Concerto with Robin Ticciati and Vilde Frang for Warner Classics was recently highly praised by the specialist press.
Founded in 1946 as the RIAS Symphony Orchestra, it was renamed the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin in 1956. It has borne its current name since 1993. Since its foundation, the DSO has succeeded in attracting outstanding artistic personalities. Ferenc Fricsay was the first chief conductor to set standards in repertoire, sound ideals and media presence. In 1964, the young Lorin Maazel took over artistic responsibility, followed by Riccardo Chailly in 1982 and Vladimir Ashkenazy in 1989. Kent Nagano was appointed chief conductor in 2000. Since his departure in 2006, he has been closely associated with the orchestra as honorary conductor. From 2007 to 2010, Ingo Metzmacher and from 2012 to 2016 Tugan Sokhiev made a decisive impact on the musical life of the capital with the orchestra. From 2017 to 2024, Robin Ticciati was at the helm of the DSO as chief conductor.
The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin is an ensemble of Rundfunk Orchester und Chöre gGmbH (ROC), which is funded by Deutschlandradio (40%), the Federal Republic of Germany (35%), the State of Berlin (20%) and Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (5%).