For five days, the Konzerthaus Berlin celebrated two female composers who shaped the 20th century: Lili Boulanger, who was awarded the Prix de Rome in 1913 as a highly talented 20-year-old, died barely five years later, leaving behind only a small body of work. Her sister Nadia, born in 1887, lived to be 92 and influenced composers of several generations, even though she herself stopped writing music after Lili's death.

In her apartment on Rue Ballu, the renowned piano and composition teacher Nadia Boulanger, who taught in Paris and the US, ran a musical salon for many decades almost until her death in 1979, where she also gave lessons. Whether early or contemporary music, works by Lili Boulanger or Igor Stravinsky – there was always something outstanding to hear at the “Boulangerie,” which opened its doors every Wednesday. Word got around and attracted countless musicians, including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Jean Françaix, Astor Piazzolla, Philip Glass, and Quincy Jones.

For our tribute, author Volker Hagedorn listened to the voices and moods of the “Boulangerie” from the past and created a “pasticcio”. On the opening night (of course on a Wednesday), narrators Christiane Paul and Ulrich Noethen together with the fantastic Boulanger Trio immersed the audience in private dramas and historical upheavals as well as in the lives and music of the sisters.

Framed by works by contemporaries Ravel, Fauré, and Debussy, the Konzerthausorchester, conducted by Shiyeon Sung, performed two orchestral pieces by Lili Boulanger, one melancholic, one cheerful—a glimpse of what might have been had she been granted a longer life. Sometimes impressionistically delicate, sometimes inspired by Stravinsky rhythms, Nadia Boulanger's Piano Fantasy from 1912 was also performed, played by soloist William Youn.

Conductor Shiyeon Sung, piano soloist William Youn, and our artistic director Tobias Rempe met on Friday after the orchestral concert  for a discussion about the Boulanger sisters.

Bruno Monsaingeon's 1977 film of the same name provided a contemporary documentary glimpse into the salon of “Mademoiselle” on several days.  Inside the house, themed walls invited visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the Boulangers.

Award-winning mezzo-soprano Lucile Richardot and pianist Anne de Fornel performed a recital featuring works by both sisters. On Saturday, the Boulanger Trio and the Quinteto Ángel played chamber music by Nadia's students and friends to sold-out halls and enthusiastic audiences. 

Presumably, Lili Boulanger would have understood that there are Berliners who devote a large part of their free time to singing together at a high level. Vocal music was very close to her heart. She composed numerous pieces for choir with piano accompaniment - colorful, tonal depictions of nature as a mirror of human life. Some of these were performed on Sunday during the final concert of the tribute in the Great Hall. The Kammerchor des Collegium Musicum Berlin, the Junge Consortium Berlin, the Junge Kammerchor Berlin and Ensemberlino Vocale were invited to the Chorfest Boulanger in collaboration with the Chorverband Berlin.