Month of Contemporary Music 2023

Monat der zeitgenössischen Musik 2023
©Node Berlin Oslo

Month of Contemporary Music #7
Four weeks of New Music, Sound Art, Music Theatre, Echtzeitmusik, Improvisation and Discourse
1-30 September 2023

Berlin is considered one of the most exciting cities in the world for contemporary music with its striking variety of trends and sheer number of events happening throughout the year. September is the Month of Contemporary Music, which will present the diversity of the scene packed into a 30-day festival by and with Berlin ensembles, artists, and organisers. The abundance of events will give new audiences the opportunity to get acquainted with the local contemporary music landscape while also offering connoisseurs an overview of the latest developments.

The seventh edition of the Month of Contemporary Music features a programme spanning contemporary chamber music, improvisation, Echtzeitmusik (“real-time music”), music theatre, and sound art, as well as everything that lies somewhere in between. Current works will be presented in the form of concerts, performances, and sound installations, and artists will lead workshops providing perspectives on their creative processes. Along with established and up-and-coming ensembles from Berlin such as KNM Berlin, Maulwerker, LUX:NM, Contagious, and Zafraan Ensemble, several national and international groups such as Ensemble Modern, MAM.manufaktur für aktuelle musik, Ensemble New Babylon, and Ekmeles will be appearing at the festival.

The vibrancy of Berlin’s contemporary music scene can be attributed to its decentralized nature, leading to things happening nearly anywhere and at any time. This will remain as true as ever throughout the month in concert venues, clubs, galleries, and public spaces.

The festival's spotlight will focus on the opening concert on 1 September in Kulturraum Zwingli-Kirche, a portrait concert of the legendary American composer Christian Wolff, performed by Zinc & Copper and Robyn Schulkowsky. The concert includes older works as well as the world premiere of a piece that Wolff has composed especially for Zinc & Copper and Robyn Schulkowsky. We are very pleased that Christian Wolff will be not only be present but also available to answer questions in a conversation before the concert. The opportunity to connect and socialise at Kulturraum Zwingli-Kirche will follow after the concert.