In January, BAAM’s chamber orchestra takes the stage at Konzerthaus Berlin with Echoes of Two Worlds, a striking program where tradition meets the cutting edge. The evening features the German debut of Missy Mazzoli’s You Know Me From Here and Billy Childs’ Each Moment is a New Discovery, world premieres by Jonathan Dawe and Lawrence Wilde, and Ursula Mamlok’s Concerto for Oboe. Together, these works explore the dynamic interplay between heritage and experimentation, echoing the vibrant artistic exchange between New York and Berlin.
BAAM UNVEILS 2025/26 SEASON WITH TRANSATLANTIC FOCUS AND EXPANDING ARTISTIC HORIZONS
Berlin Academy of American Music celebrates bold premieres, international stages, and a dynamic new solo series
We are proud to announce our much-anticipated 2025/26 season, signaling an ambitious leap forward in deepening artistic dialogue between American and European musical voices. Featuring full-orchestra performances, daring contemporary premieres, and the launch of our intimate BAAM Solo Sessions, the upcoming season highlights the orchestra’s distinctive role in the evolving classical music landscape.
The season opens on a global note with BAAM’s return to the George Enescu Festival, one of Europe’s premier classical music gatherings. Performances in Bucharest and Constanța (Romania) this September will showcase the BAAM Orchestra on an international platform, underscoring the ensemble’s growing reputation for excellence and cultural connection. Violinist Mihaela Martin joins for Barber’s Violin Concerto, alongside works by Bernstein, Dorman and Gershwin.
BAAM’s artistic evolution continues in Berlin with the introduction of Solo Sessions, beginning with saxophonist-composer Christoph Enzel. Held at Piano Salon Christophori, this concert features the German premiere of Gene Pritsker’s Migration Song, along with compositions by Creston, Eisler, Schulhof, and Enzel himself: a not-to-be-missed exploration of identity and innovation through the saxophone’s unique voice.
In January, BAAM’s chamber orchestra takes the stage at Konzerthaus Berlin with Echoes of Two Worlds, a striking program where tradition meets the cutting edge. The evening features the German debut of Missy Mazzoli’s You Know Me From Here and Billy Childs’ Each Moment is a New Discovery, world premieres by Jonathan Dawe and Lawrence Wilde, and Ursula Mamlok’s Concerto for Oboe. Together, these works explore the dynamic interplay between heritage and experimentation, echoing the vibrant artistic exchange between New York and Berlin.
Dynamic clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson (Bang on a Can) joins BAAM Solo Sessions in March for a program that blends Brooklyn’s vibrant energy with Berlin’s cutting-edge creativity. Titled The 20th-21st Century Clarinet: A Personal Survey, the concert features a mix of multi-channel clarinet compositions alongside classic and contemporary solo works. The program includes pieces by Leonard Bernstein, Anna Clyne, Steve Reich, Igor Stravinsky, Ken Thomson himself, and Cassie Wieland. This performance highlights BAAM’s commitment to artistic hybridity and cultural fusion.
An education initiative conceptualized by conductor Garrett Keast and composer Matthew Quayle, the second annual Berlin Transatlantic Composers Workshop brings together 16 emerging composers for a week-long residency featuring renowned international faculty. The program focuses on advanced mentorship, transatlantic collaboration, and premiere performances with BAAM musicians.
“This season is a vibrant reflection of our mission: to amplify the shared stories of American and European composers through powerful collaborations, intimate solo moments, and platforms that cultivate the next generation,” says Garrett Keast, Founder & Executive Director of BAAM.
It’s the Music That Connects Us.
The Berlin Academy of American Music (BAAM) is an orchestra based in Berlin that champions American classical music while bridging artistic voices across continents. Founded to cultivate collaboration and meaningful communication through musical excellence, BAAM is committed to presenting works that are innovative and internationally resonant.