Berlin in Berlin

The American composer Irving Berlin (1888–1989) wrote numerous pieces for Broadway, film and radio which significantly shaped the musical identity of the United States. Songs like "White Christmas" and "Alexander’s Ragtime Band" have became famous the world over. In a five-day concert series, the director Sven-Ake Johansson and the chamber ensemble Cool featuring vocal soloist Phil Minton presented a selection of Irving Berlin’s multifaceted musical oeuvre. The musicians adapted about fifty of his most popular and some lesser known works for vocal and jazz quartet performance. The new interpretation of the material and the unique instrumental arrangement resulted in a refreshingly new format. The ensemble also made musical reference to Irving Berlin’s life history. For the performances, the HBC Berlin was transformed into a New York music club of the 1940s and 50s. This authentic atmosphere enhanced the listeners’ experience and immersed them into the life and music of Irving Berlin. The various project phases and their participants are the theme of a film documentary by Antoine Prum and Ni-Vu-Ni-Connu Productions S.à.r.l. Additional performances in Germany and at the Jewish Museum in Brussels are planned in 2013.

Artistic director: Sven Ake Johansson
Musicians: chamber ensemble Cool: Zoran Terzic, Axel Dörner, Jan Roder, Sven-Ake Johansson and vocal soloist Phil Minton (GB)

Film documentary: Antoine Prum (Ni-Vu-Ni-Connu Productions S.à.r.l.)

Ehemaliges Haus Ungarn, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 9, 10178 Berlin