Showcase
(Brazil)
Brazilian composer Rafael Macedo has performed with artists such as Hermeto Pascoal and UAKTI. Talvez uma dansa is the fourth original project by Minas Gerais composer, released in 2023, by the record label Rocinante.
Presenter: Rafael Macedo
May 13, 2025, 20:00
- 20:30
Säälchen
Project Pitch
Experience the Future of Creativity
OK AI is a mobile AI-powered concert venue where artificial intelligence collaborates with musicians and visual artists to create an immersive, interactive experience, redefining the boundaries of live performance and creative partnership.
Presenter: Dominique Vleeshouwers
May 12, 2025, 16:30
- 17:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Showcase
(Indonesia/UK)
Aris Daryono is an Indonesian composer, traditional gamelan musician, and educator based in London. His music is deeply rooted in his gamelan heritage, which he explores and integrates with Western ensembles and electronic elements to craft distinctive soundscapes.
Presenter: Aris Daryono
May 13, 2025, 16:30
- 17:00
Colosseum
, Kino 10
Project Pitch
Inner Life is both a composition and an alchemical formula—a game and an artistic experiment. Wim Henderickx (1962-2022) crafted a seven-chapter score, each lasting seven minutes, for a core ensemble of seven musicians.
Presenter: Maja Lozic
May 13, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Meet-up
Strategies for the DIY Music Community.
“Not everyone who works in music works for large organisations. Many of us have to wear multiple hats to get our work heard and produce the projects we want to create. We have to do it all ourselves including fundraising, marketing, booking, recording, releasing and so much more. It has always been difficult. However, often someone else has been through the same thing as you and is willing to share their experience.
Coordinated by Matthew Whiteside
with Romina Lischka
May 13, 2025, 12:15
- 13:15
Colosseum
, Kino 4
Meet-up
The gap between amateurs and professionals
Sharing thoughts on how the gap between amateurs and professions can be bridged and considering if it should it be bridged at all. Plus, what can composers themselves do to place their works with choirs?
Coordinated by Bernhard Heß
May 12, 2025, 12:30
- 13:30
Colosseum
, Kino 5
Conference
Live classical music builds listening skills beyond the concert hall
DISCUSSION & PRACTICE | Good listening is hard. Can music help? In this discussion, we draw on neuroscience, social history and mindfulness to explore the unique ways in which live classical music can deepen communication skills with benefits that reach beyond the concert hall.
Chaired by Dr. Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim
with Lucilla Schmidinger, Dr. Hansjakob Ziemer
May 14, 2025, 11:45
- 12:45
Colosseum
, Kino 4
Project Pitch
One-hour space opera in motion manga.
“Beethoven Wars, a fight for peace” is a high-tech immersive scenic project in motion manga, built on Beethoven’s stage music “König Stephan op.117” and “Die Ruinen von Athen op.113”, performed live by the Insula orchestra and choir accentus.
Presenter: David Lehodey
May 14, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Opening Night
(Piano and voice)
May 12, 2025, 19:00
- 23:00
KühlhausBerlin
Conference
Official welcome to Classical:NEXT
Join us for the inaugural 2025 session in Berlin, where Fabienne Krause, Managing Director of Classical:NEXT, and Aliena Haig, Senior Communications Manager, welcoming you to the twelfth edition of Classical:NEXT together with Dr. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, a figure of forward-thinking prowess and leading advocate for music, the arts, accessibility and the development of musical talent.
Chaired by Dr. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason
with Fabienne Krause, Aliena Haig
May 12, 2025, 14:00
- 14:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Meet-up
Kick-start Classical:NEXT with inspiring connections
Kick off the conference with a warm and welcoming gathering! Join us at the bar in the Foyer after registration for an inspiring meet-up dedicated to women passionate about shaping the future of classical music and the performing arts.
Coordinated by Ashia Grzesik
May 12, 2025, 12:30
- 13:30
Colosseum
, Bar Foyer
Project Pitch
An enchanting reflection on a child’s emotions in this sensitive yet powerful project by one of Poland’s leading wind quintets.
Presenter: Alicja Kieruzalska
May 14, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Showcase
Tarozzi-Walker Duo (Italy)
A contemporary re-interpretation of female folksongs of northern Italy.
Presenter: Silvia Tarozzi Presenter: Deborah Walker
May 14, 2025, 12:00
- 12:30
Colosseum
, Kino 10
Meet-up
Bridging Education and Industry: Innovation, Inclusion and the Digi-Shift
As the role of musicians evolves, Higher Music Education Institutions (HMEIs) are adapting to prepare students for success as socially responsible leaders. This session explores how to bridge education and industry and will present the work achieved in this regard from the side of HME, within the ARTEMIS project coordinated by the European Association of Conservatoires.
Coordinated by Finn Schumacker
with Monica Vejgaard, Celia Duffy
May 12, 2025, 12:00
- 13:00
Colosseum
, Kino 3
Innovation Awards
The Classical:NEXT Innovation Award highlights groundbreaking projects that are shaping the future of classical music worldwide. It celebrates individuals and initiatives that drive progress through bold, yet thoughtful and effective, experimentation in ideas, planning, and action.
May 14, 2025, 18:00
- 19:30
Colosseum
, Kino 10
Showcase
(Iceland)
The Icelandic flute septet viibra performs four works from their celebrated debut album viibra, released last year, which explores the possibilities of expanded flute playing.
Presenter: viibra
May 14, 2025, 21:30
- 22:00
Säälchen
Showcase
(UK/Ireland)
A spellbinding collaboration between two musical powerhouses.
Presenter: Catrin Finch Presenter: Aoife Ní Bhriain
May 13, 2025, 17:30
- 18:00
Colosseum
, Kino 10
off C:N Showcase
Berlin Club Stage
The renowned musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist STUDNITZKY presents a new, electronic interpretation from his moving collaboration with the Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra MEMENTO ODESA. The ECHO Jazz and OPUS Klassik awardwinner embodies genre-spanning Sound Art across jazz, classical and electronic music.
Presenter: Sebastian Studnitzky
May 14, 2025, 23:00
- 23:30
Kater Blau
Film Showcase
The project “Ophelia, the Hysterical” is a new proposal for the performance of the traditional repertoire, “Drei Lieder der Ophelia”, Op.67, by Richard Strauss, presented in three short audiovisual episodes.
Presenter: Nívea Renata Alencar de Freitas
May 13, 2025, 12:00
- 13:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Film Showcase
Die Wandlung is an art film inspired by Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, visually narrating an ancient Romanian legend.
Presenter: Michael Riemer
May 13, 2025, 12:00
- 13:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Mentoring Session
Self-manage and dynamically develop your artistic career as an musician
Can an artist be their own concert agent? A short meeting with young musicians beginning their careers as musicians or organisers. Are you dreaming of a unique career? Don’t wait for the phone to ring, take things into your own hands.
With Prof. Krzysztof Komendarek-Tymendorf
May 14, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Showcase
(UK)
Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer of classical and electronic music, and the founder of Nonclassical record label and events (launched in 2004). Through Nonclassical, he is one of the leading proponents of presenting classical music in non-traditional venues, and pioneered the concept of bringing DJ sets to late-night classical gigs.
Presenter: Gabriel Prokofiev
May 14, 2025, 23:45
- 00:15
Kater Blau
Showcase
(Germany)
Roman Rofalski, pianist and composer, has rooted his musical life in the urge for constant change. Always searching for new frontiers, he experiments with various styles, aiming to remove the artificial boundaries between composed classical music, improvised modern jazz and contemporary electronics.
Presenter: Roman Rofalski
May 13, 2025, 22:30
- 23:15
Kater Blau
Opening Night
Piano meets the rare contra alto clarinet.
May 12, 2025, 19:00
- 23:00
KühlhausBerlin
Film Showcase
This series follows Brussels Philharmonic bassist Thomas Fiorini through the process of realising his lifelong dream of recording and performing a concerto for bass guitar.
Presenter: Sonja Kochoutina
May 14, 2025, 12:00
- 13:30
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Mentoring Session
Create your unique brand as a classical musician and build your fan base
In today’s evolving classical music industry, building a personal artistic brand is no longer optional—it’s essential for long-term success. This session, “Building your own Artistic Brand as a Musician,” addresses this important topic by discussing the necessity of building a personal connection to audiences via digital platforms through communication and relationship.
With Michelle Lynne
May 13, 2025, 15:30
- 16:15
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Showcase
(UK)
Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer of classical and electronic music, and the founder of Nonclassical record label and events (launched in 2004). Through Nonclassical, he is one of the leading proponents of presenting classical music in non-traditional venues, and pioneered the concept of bringing DJ sets to late-night classical gigs.
Presenter: Gabriel Prokofiev
May 14, 2025, 22:30
- 23:15
Kater Blau
off C:N Showcase
Berlin Club Stage
Dive into the mesmerising soundscape of Alex Stolze’s latest record “רעש ורוח, – Raash ve Ruach”: this work weaves together the contrasts of contemporary classical music and electronica, where the violin takes center stage, singing in place of words during a time that often feels speechless.
Presenter: Alex Stolze
May 14, 2025, 21:00
- 21:30
Kater Blau
Conference
Reimagining musical participation for art music audiences
WORKSHOP | How do you get 10,000 people to play art music on the kazoo? Join us for a hands-on workshop that takes a deep dive into audience participation.
Chaired by Dr. Ciaran Frame
May 14, 2025, 10:30
- 11:15
Colosseum
, Kino 4
Project Pitch
A sonic and visual feast for the senses
A Book of Hours is a meditation on the mystery of time and the ways we spend our days, combining a world of projected movement and a quirky live musical score.
Presenter: Tamara Kohler
May 14, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Project Pitch
Immersive music celebrating neurodiversity
Double-ARIA nominated pianist/composer Nat Bartsch presents Forever Changed: a suite of ambient lullabies exploring her autistic/ADHD identity.
Presenter: Nat Bartsch
May 13, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Showcase
(UK)
The Komuna Collective is a group of artists, DJs and musicians committed to experimentation.
Presenter: Komuna Collective
May 13, 2025, 21:00
- 21:30
Säälchen
Project Pitch
The Game is an innovative operatic stage work by British-Turkish composer Elif Nur Karlıdağ, blending opera with a narrative-driven video game to push the boundaries of both art forms.
Presenter: Elif Nur Karlıdağ
May 12, 2025, 16:30
- 17:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Conference
Solving the problem of the second performance
INTERACTIVE PANEL | Resonate aims to inspire more performances, recordings and broadcasts of outstanding contemporary repertoire, as chosen by orchestras, whilst strengthening approaches to programming this music for the benefit of audiences, composers and players in the UK and overseas.
Chaired by Elizabeth Sills
with Naomi Belshaw, Dr. Dobrinka Tabakova, Sam McShane
May 12, 2025, 16:45
- 17:45
Colosseum
, Kino 5
Meet-up
Finding the next format: how can print, digital and radio engage audiences in the digital era?
Join this targeted networking session for press and media featuring a panel discussion with leading voices from print, radio and digital publications on how classical music journalism can embrace new formats to engage audiences in the digital era.
Coordinated by Laszlo Harkanyi
Coordinated by Paul Bräuer
Coordinated by Paul Bräuer
with David Zsoldos, Cristina Comandasu, Benjamin Alber
May 14, 2025, 12:15
- 13:15
Colosseum
, Kino 5
Conference
Insights from the new German Festival Study
INTERACTIVE PANEL | A 2025 government-funded study by the cooperation partners Initiative Musik with the Bundesstiftung LiveKultur and the German Music Information Centre provides a comprehensive cross-genre analysis of Germany’s music festival landscape.
Chaired by Stephan SchulmeistratChaired by Dorothee Kalbhenn
with Dorothea Heinze, Timo Varelmann, Vala Halldors, Sophie Detremmerie, Anselm Cybinski
May 13, 2025, 12:30
- 13:45
Colosseum
, Kino 3
off C:N Presentation
Putting you at the heart of the orchestra
With Philharmonia: Virtual Orchestra we offer audiences the chance to put on a headset and experience our playing in ground-shaking detail, from the best seat in the house – onstage among the players.
Presenter: Marta Génova
with Sebastian Hagemeister, Henrik Oppermann
May 13, 2025, 10:00
- 18:00
Colosseum
, Kino 9
Conference
Mark your calendar for 8-11 April 2026!
Join us for a moment of celebration and anticipation as we unveil the host city for Classical:NEXT 2026! This special session will feature surprise guests and exclusive insights into what’s in store next year. Whether you’re curious, excited, or just love a good reveal, you won’t want to miss this announcement. Be there when the secret is finally out!
Chaired by Fabienne KrauseChaired by Laszlo Harkanyi
with András Lelkes, Sára Venczel
May 13, 2025, 14:45
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 10
Mentoring Session
Overcoming financial barriers to help musicians reach their full potential
Access to high-quality instruments is essential for musicians to reach their full potential. However, the high cost of these instruments presents a significant challenge, particularly for young artists. This session will explore innovative solutions to help musicians overcome financial barriers and gain access to the instruments they need to advance their careers.
With Anja Schulze
May 13, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Opening Night
Weltenwandern – a music-theater collage about bird migration
May 12, 2025, 19:00
- 23:00
KühlhausBerlin
Conference
The power of regional collaboration and practical tools to highlight underserved musical diversity
PRESENTATION | Beyond the usual classical music hotspots and established repertoire, lies an immense wealth of exciting musical creativity and opportunity. But how can we form collaborations and develop tools to meaningfully boost engagement? Come and be inspired by the initiatives led through Ibermúsicas, and discover the hidden gems of Ibero-American classical music!
Chaired by Francisco Varela
May 13, 2025, 12:00
- 13:00
Colosseum
, Kino 5
Project Pitch
A cutting-edge experience for VR
What if anyone could play music in the concert hall? Concerts of the Future invites you to sit on stage in a cutting-edge VR experience, performing alongside musicians – no experience required.
Presenter: Dr. Ciaran Frame
May 12, 2025, 16:30
- 17:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Meet-up
Sharing insights, experiences and perspectives on exporting classical music
In an ever-evolving landscape—marked by rising protectionism, new market access regulations, and shifts in funding structures and cultural policies—classical and contemporary music professionals must continuously rethink their strategies to fulfil their missions and ensure long-term stability. International development is becoming increasingly significant and is now a key focus in today’s cultural and economic climate.
Coordinated by Giancarlo Staffetti
May 13, 2025, 16:00
- 17:00
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Project Pitch
Presenting fantastical, experimental, collaborative and placed-based events that extend your ears in unexpected ways through warped grooves, evocative soundscapes, augmented instruments, and found objects.
Presenter: Prof. Vanessa Tomlinson
May 13, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Meet-up
Invite only international speed meetings & networking event
Country Connections is an annual networking event that brings together delegates from around the world for quick fire meetings. These meetings will facilitate introductions and broker business connections with practitioners and companies from around the globe.
Coordinated by Larry Heath
May 13, 2025, 11:45
- 12:45
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Conference
Orchestras - a political entity and political force?
PRESENTATION | Is classical music above the political and social trends and issues of our time? No!
Join us in exploring how the classical music industry can shape the future through programming and communication!
Join us in exploring how the classical music industry can shape the future through programming and communication!
Chaired by Marlene Brüggen
with Henriette Kupke
May 13, 2025, 16:30
- 17:30
Colosseum
, Kino 2
Conference
Prevention of harassment and violence in orchestras and concert hall
INTERACTIVE PANEL | The growing concern and cases in orchestras about moral and sexual harassment and violence is one of the hottest subjects today in orchestras.
Chaired by Aline Sam-Giao
with Lisi Andrés, Bill Chandler
May 14, 2025, 16:30
- 17:30
Colosseum
, Kino 3
Showcase
(Germany)
Roman Rofalski, pianist and composer, has rooted his musical life in the urge for constant change. Always searching for new frontiers, he experiments with various styles, aiming to remove the artificial boundaries between composed classical music, improvised modern jazz and contemporary electronics.
Presenter: Roman Rofalski
May 13, 2025, 23:45
- 00:15
Kater Blau
Conference
Tailor-made solutions to let flexibility and creativity thrive
INTERACTIVE PANEL | This panel portrays the diversity in the sector of indie labels. Tailor-made solutions for different kinds of recording projects.
Chaired by Timo Hagemeister
with Becky Lees, Sebastian Solte, Lorraine Buzea, Dr Emma Pauncefort
May 14, 2025, 13:00
- 14:15
Colosseum
, Kino 3
Mentoring Session
Overcoming financial barriers to help musicians reach their full potential
Access to high-quality instruments is essential for musicians to reach their full potential. However, the high cost of these instruments presents a significant challenge, particularly for young artists. This session will explore innovative solutions to help musicians overcome financial barriers and gain access to the instruments they need to advance their careers.
With Anja Schulze
May 12, 2025, 12:15
- 13:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Mentoring Session
Develop your international network!
You are an artist or a music professional and would like to work more at international level. In this session, we will discuss strategies to develop your own international network, including objectives and expected benefits, tools, implications on your organisation and its development.
With Helena De Winter
May 13, 2025, 15:30
- 16:15
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Meet-up
One-on-One Conversations on Current Topics Steered by EFA
Join the ‘Networking Session’, coordinated by the European Festivals Association (EFA), for a dynamic series of one-on-one conversations with professionals from the global music sector. This networking space offers an opportunity to meet new colleagues, share insights, and have focused discussions on key industry topics.
Coordinated by Luana Santos
May 14, 2025, 11:30
- 12:30
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Project Pitch
Marceline merges contemporary dance and baroque music (with a string quartet, a dancer and a soprano) in a poetic and immersive scenography with lots of technology and participation for all kinds of audience, including babies and toddlers.
Presenter: Albert Vilà
May 13, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Mentoring Session
Exploring and Communicating Your Unique Value
Classical musicians often neglect to explore their unique value, leading to discomfort in self-promotion. These mentoring sessions will help participants recognize their individuality and raise awareness about leveraging digital tools to enhance visibility and build a strong personal brand.
With Tiziana Tentoni
May 13, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Mentoring Session
Understanding how your music might be placed in TV or film
Are you a classical musician/composer or ensemble interested in getting your existing music placed in film and TV? Navigating the sync world can be complex, understanding who the key decision-makers are crucial to success.
With Naomi Belshaw
May 14, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Conference
The Classical:NEXT user’s guide
PRESENTATION | A special session designed specifically for new delegates, especially those new to large B2B gatherings, to help them maximise all of the available opportunities at Classical:NEXT.
Chaired by Fabienne Krause
with Aliena Haig
May 12, 2025, 15:00
- 15:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Mentoring Session
Online marketing that builds meaningful connections and funds your mission
You get to ask specific questions regarding your YouTube strategy to help carry out actionable items on how to build a meaningful online community, and improve your audience engagement. You will also learn firsthand on how to use YouTube Analytics to make artistic and business decisions to help fund your mission.
With Eric Mrugala
May 14, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Film Showcase
PNO (Prepared New Objects) is a contemporary music performance and experimental theater piece born from a sociological exploration and reflection on the piano.
Presenter: Kim Jaehoon
May 14, 2025, 12:00
- 13:30
Colosseum
, Kino 7