Magazine

field notes is a magazine for contemporary music in Berlin. As a print and online resource, it reports on current developments and events in the fields of new music, Echtzeitmusik and improvisation, music theater and opera, electronic and electro-acoustic music as well as sound art.

Filter

field notes Magazin #48: September–November 2026

Nicht nur das Design unseres Hefts hat sich geändert, auch inhaltlich gibt es Neuerungen. Der Schwerpunkt der Ausgabe liegt auf den (Berliner) Ensembles, mit denen zusammen wir bald die Eröffnung des Monat der zeitgenössischen Musik feiern.

Tobias Rempe standing in the doorway to the Konzerthaus Berlin hall

Interview | Tobias Rempe

The new Konzerthaus Berlin director on his perspective on Berlin’s music scene and how his experiences in the independent music scene shape his work at Konzerthaus.

©Franziska Brodhun, Peer Kugler, Christoph Voy, Galya Kovalyova, Joanna Janke

Feature | Knowledge Test: Independent Ensembles in Berlin

How well do you know the ensembles on the contemporary music scene? Take this quiz to test your knowledge, and with a little luck, you could win a festival pass.

Statistik zur Frage »Wie finanzierte sich Ihr Ensemble im Jahr 2022?« aus der FREO-Grundlagenstudie »Freie Ensembles und Orchester in Deutschland – Charakteristika einer vielfältigen Landschaft« – Antworten: Künstlerische Projektförderung 84,1%, Institutionelle Förderung 11,9%, Strukturförderung 11,4%, Wirtschaftsförderung 2,1%

Feature | An indepent ensemble - what is that?

Lena Krause has compiled eight facts about the work and significance of independent ensembles and the challenges they face.

A photo of a concert at Festival Ensemble(s), showing an ensemble in action

Interview | Léo Margue, Clemens Hund-Göschel and Sofia Surgutschowa

The Paris-based Festival d'Ensemble(s) is the model for Berlin’s new Ensemblefest. In our round table, the Zafraan Ensemble and 2e2m talk about what they've learned from each other, where the French and German scenes differ and on why it's worth bringing the scene together in the first pla...

Found Sounds | Together Alone

A recent influx of solo albums makes Kristoffer Cornils wonder: Is social progress possible in a culture of atomisation? He finds answers in releases by Andrea Taeggi, Han-earl Park, Beam Splitter, Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop and more.