Berlin Philharmonic Brass

The Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble, one of the longest-standing ensembles to have emerged from the Berliner Philharmoniker, was founded in the 1950s. With 12 virtuoso musicians, it brings the distinctive sound and tradition of this great orchestra to its dynamic chamber music performance – in Germany and throughout the world. Their shared passion for solo music-making is regarded by the members as fully equivalent to their day-to-day orchestral work.

The concerts of the Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble are a celebration of the diversity of brass music which ranges from traditional works of the baroque and classical eras through to commissions by leading contemporary composers and entertaining arrangements of jazz and popular pieces. The standard instrumentation of four trumpets and four trombones is regarded as authentic for the music of the 16th and 17th centuries, which forms a mainstay of the ensemble’s repertoire. Of course the musicians also employ an array of instruments as called for by the music at hand: ranging from the high B flat trumpet to the bass trumpet extending to the contrabass trombone. On occasion, additional players and other instruments are brought in, such as horns, tuba or percussion.

The ensemble’s extremely successful concert activities take it regularly to numerous European musical capitals, festivals, and international tours. It also has made numerous studio, radio, and television recordings. The rapport of the 12 musicians, whose spontaneity and passion regularly captivate audiences, is without doubt enhanced by their experience playing together as members of the Berliner Philharmoniker. Numerous studio, radio, and television recordings document the ensemble’s international success.