The Berlin Philharmonic’s Scharoun Ensemble if one of Germany’s leading chamber-music organizations – this classical octet is comprised entirely of members of the Berlin Philharmonic (instrumentation – clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, viola, cello and double bass).

March 14, 2019 is Southwest Florida’s only opportunity to see this world-class octet from what is considered to be the world’s #1 orchestra. Special concert is presented in partnership with BIG ARTS, Sanibel Island.

The Scharoun Ensemble of Berlin was founded in 1983 and has since then achieved high esteem in the international music capitals and at festivals. Comprising eight permanent members, all of them musicians of the Berliner Philharmoniker, the ensemble has since its inception augmented the classic octet formation to create larger forces. Its association with the legacy of Hans Scharoun, the visionary architect of the Berlin Philharmonie, is an expression of its artistic commitment to the treasures of the past and the challenges of the present and future. Thus, along with its Classical and Romantic core repertoire, represented by the Schubert Octet and Beethoven Septet, the ensemble also places a distinctive emphasis on contemporary music, seeking collaboration with composers (for example, Hans Werner Henze, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Aribert Reimann and György Ligeti) and commissioning and giving the premieres of numerous works.

Musicians:
Rachel Schmidt
Christophe Horak
Richard Duven
Peter Riegelbauer
Alexander Bader
Stefan de Leval Jezierski
Markus Weidmann
Wolfram Brandl