Before they come to us, we visit them in their neighborhoods or at places that are important to them: the musicians featured in our new series “Tracks – Music of the City at the Konzerthaus.”

Ahead of the fourth episode, we met with Allysa Grace from “A Song For You.” The young American invited us to a somewhat run-down low-rise building on the Spree near the Jannowitzbrücke subway station, where time seems to stand still amidst street art, a discarded school bus, beer tables, and all sorts of junk piled up in the spacious courtyard. Numerous art forms, artists, and ensembles use the space for rehearsals and performances.

Among them is the neo-soul, R&B, and gospel-blending collective “A Song for You,” led by Noah Slee and Dhanesh Jayaselan. In the largest room, right next to a bar, found furniture, and DJ equipment, Allysa tells us what the group means to her and talks about “A Soulful Missa,” the Beethoven project with the Konzerthausorchester in the Great Hall on June 26 & 27.

“There is a song called ‘A Song for You’, which is about friendship and love. Donny Hathaway did a beautiful rendition of it which is very special to many Americans. It comes from the school of R&B and soul that a lot of us have in common as our history in listening to music. Donny has a huge name in that world.”

Allysa Grace being interviewed in her studio - Photos Andreas Antoni

“I had a whole childhood full of music making. I come from Austin, Texas,  and I feel as though the music community there raised me. I played the viola in orchestras since I was 10, and I've bee a session musician for 15 years. I also played the piano in jazz bands. My background is actually in music education. ‘A Song for You’ is an intereresting crossroads, as it is not a really a classical ensemble.”

“For me, it provided a container for what community can actually do for you. Six and a half years ago, right before COVID, I moved to Berlin. In 2022, I started working with ‘A Song for You’ right away. For somebody in a city without family, it was very important be able to lean onto others and connect, especially during that time. In a city like Berlin, the best and the worst are possible for you. This group was such a beautiful landing place for me. I hadn't really been in choirs before, but I'm very musical and I love to sing. ‘A Song for You’ holds a very special place in each of our hearts.”

Allysa Grace in the studio, where she is rehearsing woth "A Song for You" – photos by Andreas Antoni

"In the beginning, there was a session with a couple of vocalists, and it grew from there. We've had our hardships from time to time, but I think each of us who is there knows why we undertake this journey: It is important to us to exude the joy of being in resonance, to be in resonance with people, to experience what it does for your body, your mentality and your spirit.

Our composer Noah Slee and the producers Dhanesh Jayaselan and Philipp Seliger then had the vision to reimagination of one of Beethoven's oldest choir pieces, the ‘Missa Solemnis’. I know the classical world and I asked:  How are we gonna do this? Do we need to sing all these parts – it's 70-plus minutes of music. I offered to put my face in the score and assisted Noah making it happen. Stefan Behrisch did an incredible arrangement for us.

We premiered ‘A Soulful Missa’ in Bonn in 2024 with the Beethoven Orchestra. But these concerts now mark its Berlin debut. They will be very different from the performances in Bonn, because we’ve had the opportunity to delve into it even more deeply. I’m really looking forward to it.”