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Berlin's festival for emerging talent in classical music

Every summer, Berlin plays host to a remarkable celebration of youthful talent and classical music – the Young Euro Classic festival. This world-renowned event brings together youth symphony orchestras from across the globe to perform at the historic Konzerthaus Berlin on Gendarmenmarkt. The festival showcases a fusion of European orchestral traditions with contemporary compositions and pieces from the homelands of the performers.


Young Euro Classic at a glance

At the festival, visitors can witness the next wave of classical musicians as they share their extraordinary talent on an international stage. Each orchestra brings its own unique sound, often performing European classical pieces alongside works that reflect their cultural roots.

A typical concert at Young Euro Classic might feature a symphonic masterpiece from the 19th or 20th century, a prominent work from the orchestra's homeland and a world or German premiere of a contemporary composition. With orchestras hailing from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, the festival creates a truly global musical dialogue. The highlights of the music festival are broadcast on the TV channel ARTE.

Young Euro Classic highlights

  • Next Generation programme: This initiative supports young musicians aged 6 to 16, fostering early talent and passion for classical music.

  • European Composition Prize: Young composers compete for this prestigious award, which highlights innovative and original musical compositions.

  • re:play: This festival within a festival showcases young international musicians presenting the music of their homelands.

  • Young Euro Connect: A cultural exchange platform where young authors can present essays alongside the musical performances.

  • ARTE broadcast: If you miss the live concerts, the highlights are available on ARTE's online streaming platform.

Discover Young Euro Classic

Young Euro Classic was established in 2000 by the German Association of Friends of European Youth Orchestras with the aim of giving young musicians an international platform to perform. It is now one of the most significant festivals for youth symphony orchestras worldwide, attracting over 178 orchestras from 59 different nations.

The festival is a rare opportunity for these young talents to come together and explore the rich traditions of European classical music while introducing audiences to the sounds and rhythms of their native cultures. By offering this unique blend of traditional and contemporary, Young Euro Classic serves as a bridge between cultures and generations.

Top tips for Young Euro Classic

  • Tickets can sell out fast, so it's wise to book in advance, either online or by phone.

  • The Konzerthaus Berlin is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest underground station is Stadtmitte (U2/U6), and the 147 bus also stops nearby.

  • The venue is accessible for visitors with mobility challenges. Two elevators provide access to the foyer, and hearing-impaired guests can use the venue's induction loop system to enhance the audio experience through their hearing aids.

Additional information

Accessibility

For visitors with walking disabilities, the elevator accessible via the stage entrance (Charlottenstraße) is available. Disabled toilets are located near the stage entrance and at Café Konzerthaus. There are designated parking spaces for the disabled in Charlottenstrasse (near the stage entrance) and Markgrafenstrasse (near Taubenstrasse).

At own events, those accompanying wheelchair users receive a free ticket.

The inductive hearing system enables hearing aid users to receive audio signals wirelessly via their hearing aids.