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download Teil 3 programme brochure ∗ PDF
„Orchestras have long since reached their limits of growth. Expanded orchestras seem almost like fossils from a time when the slightest idea required an immense orchestra only to be stifled by 100 musicians. The new great things are small... mini-Mahler is irresistible.“
„Die Grenzen des Wachstums sind auch in der Orchesterwirtschaft längst erreicht. Die riesigen Apparate der Sinfonieorchester erscheinen beinahe wie Fossilien aus Zeiten, in denen selbst der kleinste Gedanke groß gedacht werden musste - um dann im vereinten Schäumen von 100 Musikern unterzugehen. Klein ist das neue Groß, die Stunde kreativer Kammerorchester schlägt: mini-Mahler ist unwiderstehlich.“
Der Tagesspiegel
„ensemble mini has often enchanted its audience by performances of historical adaptations of Mahler’s music... This is where mini-Mahler, thanks to the superhumanly beautiful and concentrated play of its protagonists, makes the impossible indeed possible: to transfer Gustav Mahler’s symphonic cosmos to the world of chamber music whilst still leaving the tonal reproduction of its universe.“
„Schon öfter begeisterte das ensemble mini mit der Aufführung historischer Mahler-Bearbeitungen... Hier macht mini-Mahler mit dem übermenschlich schönen und konzentrierten Spiel seiner Protagonisten tatsächlich das schier Unmögliche möglich: Gustav Mahlers symphonischen Kosmos in die Welt der Kammermusik zu übertragen und ihm dennoch seine klangliche Nachbildung des Weltalls zu lassen.“
Berliner Zeitung
In a fresh and exciting addition to this season's Mahler celebrations, ensemble mini presents eight not-to-be-missed programmes in a much-anticipated three-part series exploring Mahler and the mini-orchestra.
Bringing together the best young soloists and instrumentalists from around Europe, mini-Mahler focuses on the relationship between Mahler and 1920ies Vienna, which saw contemporary works arranged for the intimate setting of Schönberg’s Society for Private Musical Performances (Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen).
As then, small is now the new big. We investigate fascinating themes and arrangements to present a unique and more accessible sound-world. Covering much of Mahler’s output, our series includes three symphonies and his complete orchestral song cycles, including world premiere commissions of arrangements of the Sinfonie Nr. 9 and the Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn, by the world's leading Mahler arranger, Klaus Simon.
Our goals are:
mini-Mahler is Mahler with a difference. Performed at the highest of standards in a world-class venue, we offer a rare chance to hear and learn about Mahler’s music from a whole new perspective. Our aims are to explore:
Small is beautiful. Be part of something unique. Join us on our quest to re-discover Mahler.
download programme brochure ∗ PDF
download programme booklet ∗ PDF
download programme brochure ∗ PDF
A group of soloists in their own right, ensemble mini prides itself as an orchestra of individuals. Bringing together academists and members of Berlin's top orchestras, these are the brightest young talents of today that represent over 13 different countries, often playing with the world's greatest chamber ensembles and festivals. Their mission is simple: to explore great music in intimate ways.
The ensemble has launched alongside its innovative mini concept with the motto small is beautiful. Its future plans include mini-Brahms and mini-Wagner. Each project, through concert tours and recordings, aims to focus on one particular composer or theme, exploring the artistic, historical and musical relationship between the chamber orchestra and composer. Many of these projects include newly commissioned arrangements written especially for ensemble mini.
Joined by international soloists of the highest calibre, ensemble mini undoubtedly brings a fascinating new sound-world to Berlin through thoughtful programming, outstanding musicianship and infectious performances.
Marc Daniel van Biemen // Luiz Felipe Coelho // Alexander Kagan // Tobias Feldmann // Teresa Krahnert // Andreas Feldmann // Youngkun Kwak // Eugene Nakamura // Katharina Naomi Paul // Michiko Feuerlein // Alina Petrescu // Lukas Stepp // Katharina Overbeck // Ilyoung Chae
Joost Keizer // Eri Sugita // Tim-Erik Winzer // Tal Riva Theodorou
Uladzimir Sinkevich // Mathias Johansen // Stefan Konz // Andreas Kipp // Jakob Stepp
Hermann Stützer // Ander Perrino
Laure Mourot // Marie Pinson
Luciano Cruz // Cristina Gómez Godoy
Miguel Pérez Iñesta // Nur Ben Shalom // Martin Möhler
Justus Mache // Nick Akdag // Jakob Fliedl
Maciej Baranowski // Juliane Grepling // Lisa Rogers
Andre Schoch // Nikita Istomin
Florian Zerbaum
Henning Börgel // Brigitte Haas // Lukas Böhm
Nik Resa // Clemens Hund-Göschel // Joachim Carr
Bjarni Frímann // Heinz Chen // Clemens Hund-Göschel
Silke Lange
mini-Mahler is the idea of British conductor, Joolz Gale. Still only in his mid-twenties, he is proving to be a conductor of remarkable musicianship, versatility and maturity. Bridging his passion for early music with his affinity to the symphonic repertoire, he appears to both orchestras and audiences as a refreshing interpreter and innovative communicator.
Initially studying as a violinist, Joolz Gale read Music at Christ Church, Oxford before furthering his studies at the Royal College of Music, London to train as a singer. Graduating in 2007, he became an inaugural apprentice to the Monteverdi Choir, touring extensively as both a soloist and ensemble-member, whilst also receiving the chance to develop as a conductor, thanks to the encouragement of Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Joolz Gale has since conducted as a guest throughout Europe, Latin America and Far East with orchestras that include Bamberger Symphoniker, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Cape Philharmonic, Filarmónica Arturo Toscanini, KZN Philharmonic, National Philharmonic of Ukraine and Taiwan National Symphony.
A keen exponent of the music of his homeland, Joolz Gale has proved a worthy and interesting interpreter of the music of Purcell, Vaughan Williams and Britten. His tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vaughan Williams was a particular highlight of last season, which included a successful début at the Beijing Autumn Concert Festival and critically-acclaimed performances of the ‘London’ Symphony with Shanghai Symphony, China National Symphony and Orquesta Sinfónica Venezuela, with further performances in Mexico and Brazil. In 2008/09 he made his début recording with Bayerischer Rundfunk performing another British composer, Hubert Parry, alongside rare works by Stravinsky.
Joolz Gale enjoys a valuable relationship with Sir Roger Norrington, with recent projects that include Mahler Chamber Orchestra, SWR Symphony Stuttgart and Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin. He has also just assisted PaavoJärvi with Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. He continues to attend masterclasses, most recently with Bernard Haitink at the Lucerne Festival and Kritisches Orchester at HfM Hanns Eisler Berlin.
Maximilian Norz max@ensemblemini.com
Sebastian Solte sebastian@ensemblemini.com
Peter Berry peter@ensemblemini.com
Leo Köhler leo@ensemblemini.com
Simon Adrian post@simonadrian.de
Julian Mills julian@julianmills.com
ensemble mini e.V.
Erich-Weinert-Straße 11, D-10439 Berlin
+49 (0) 30 4471 4292
office@ensemblemini.com
In order to achieve artistic excellence, ambitious projects like mini-Mahler cost money – a lot of money. With the incredible soloists and instrumentalists that will be joining us – and at such a prestigious venue – this is an amazing price compared to what most orchestras spend presenting Mahler! But we can only achieve our goals with your support.
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For more information on how you and/or your company can benefit by supporting us, please send an email to
max@ensemblemini.com to receive our support pack.
mini-Mahler is just the first step: ensemble mini e.V. and its mini-themed projects will remain a steady part of Berlin´s cultural life and will expand on its success and reputation with exciting tours and recordings. By joining the ensemble mini family on an annual basis, you will not only help to make mini-Mahler a success but also to present exciting future projects such as mini-Brahms and mini-Wagner.
To join the ensemble mini family on an annual basis, please fill in our online family membership form:
Support Form ∗ PDF
If you would like to support us with a donation over €2000, please contact Maximilian Norz who would gladly discuss further with you how we can best collaborate together:
max@ensemblemini.com