16.00 Uhr
Festveranstaltung Orden Pour le mérite für Wissenschaften und Künste
Homage to Nadia & Lili Boulanger
November 19 to 23, 2025For five days, the Konzerthaus Berlin celebrates two female composers who shaped the 20th century and more than deserve a tribute: Lili Boulanger, awarded the Prix de Rome in 1913 as a highly talented 20-year-old, died barely five years later, leaving behind only a small life's work. Her sister Nadia, born in 1887, was to become 92 and influenced composers of several generations, although she did not write any more music herself after Lili's death.
The famous piano and composition teacher, who taught in Paris and the USA, ran a musical salon in her flat in Rue Ballu for decades, where she also taught.
Whether early or contemporary music, works by Lili Boulanger or Igor Stravinsky - there was always something outstanding to be heard in the “Boulangerie”. Word got around and attracted countless musicians, including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Jean Françaix, Astor Piazzolla, Philip Glass and Quincy Jones.
About the programme
For our homage, Volker Hagedorn has listened to the voices and moods of the “Boulangerie” from the past - Christiane Paul, Ulrich Noethen and the Trio Boulanger bring them to life in an atmospheric way. Bruno Monsaingeon's 1977 film of the same name provides a documentary insight into the salon of “Mademoiselle”, with the Konzerthausorchester conducted by Shiyeon Sung playing works by the Boulangers and their Parisian contemporaries Ravel, Fauré and Debussy. The award-winning mezzo-soprano Lucile Richardot will sing songs by the sisters, while Trio Boulanger and Quinteto Ángel will perform chamber music by Nadia's pupils and friends. Finally, we will open the festival to the city for the final grande fête: an amateur choir festival in collaboration with the Berlin Choir Association will bring Lili's hymns to the stage in the Great Hall.