The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin celebrated its 75th anniversary in the 2021/2022 season. Since its founding in 1946, it has radiated far beyond the country’s borders into the world. Renowned principal conductors have shaped the first seven decades of its history: Ferenc Fricsay, Lorin Maazel, Riccardo Chailly, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Kent Nagano, Ingo Metzmacher and Tugan Sokhiev. The long-standing association with top-class guest conductors such as James Conlon, Manfred Honeck, Ton Koopman, Sir Roger Norrington, Sakari Oramo, Leonard Slatkin or David Zinman contributes to the orchestra’s reputation, as does the regular collaboration with its current honorary conductor Kent Nagano and the other former principal conductors.

Robin Ticciati has been at the helm of the DSO since September 2017. In the past seasons, he has demonstrated his versatility and flexibility with the orchestra, with repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the present, with forms of presentation that range from unusual setups in the hall to lighting concepts to scenic installations, and projects such as playing on gut strings or free improvisations. In his mission as artistic director, the young Briton pays special attention to young talent. With this in mind, he devotes himself intensively to the Ferenc Fricsay Academy students, is involved in opera projects for voice students and is already directing the »Symphonic Mob« for the fourth time.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung once described the DSO as an »orchestral think tank« among the city’s orchestras, alluding to the rich dramaturgy of its concert programs, its commitment to contemporary music, and its constant repertoire discoveries – as well as to the courage to pursue unusual music education formats that still distinguishes the orchestra today. For example, the DSO has been bringing the arts closer to the pulse of modern life for 14 years through its moderated Casual Concerts followed by a lounge. Since 2014, it has been bringing music enthusiasts of all ages together with musicians from its own ranks to form Berlin’s largest spontaneous orchestra, the »Symphonic Mob.«