Kirill Petrenko and the Berliner Philharmoniker in Seoul

Sunwook Kim, Kirill Petrenko and the Berliner Philharmoniker

By SangKwon Lee, 11 November 2025

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“Brahms’ First Symphony was overwhelming from the first note”

Reviewed at Seoul Arts Center, Seoul on 9 November 2025

Schumann, Manfred Overture, Op.115

Schumann, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54

Brahms, Symphony no. 1 in C minor, Op.68

Berliner Philharmoniker

Kirill Petrenko, Conductor

Sunwook Kim, Piano

Petrenko and Serebrennikov forge a new Ring in Salzburg

Phillip Richter, 1st April

The Berliner Philharmoniker’s much-anticipated return to Salzburg gets off to an impressive musical start. Kirill Serebrennikov’s staging raises numerous questions, but answers few of them.

****1

Pitch perfect: Petrenko conducts Dusapin, Zimmermann and Brahms

Elena Luporini, 17th September

At this year's Musikfest Berlin, Kirill Petrenko conducts his Berliner Philharmoniker in a devilishly intricate programme.

****1

A place to call our own: Marin Alsop in Berlin

Elena Luporini, 22nd February

For her debut at the head of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Marin Alsop reflects on what a ‘home’ is through works by Tarkiainen, Dean, Copland and Villa-Lobos.

****1

Robertson conducts the German premiere of Srnka's Superorganisms

Elena Luporini, 13th February

At the Philharmonie, David Robertson steps in for Kirill Petrenko for a concert all about the wonders of nature, featuring Varèse, Srnka and Beethoven.

****1

Berlin Phil à la hongroise with Seong-Jin Cho

Elena Luporini, 9th December

The Berlin Phil celebrates Seong-Jin Cho's recently inaugurated residency with a Hungarian-themed chamber concert.

****1

Passion and precision from the Berlin Phil at Carnegie Hall

Cameron Kelsall, 17th November

Under the leadership of Chief Conductor Kirill Petrenko, the Berliners produced a deep, muscular and forward sound that invigorated familiar music.

****1

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SangKwon Lee

SangKwon Lee is a Seoul-based classical music critic whose writing focuses on concert performances and recordings. A contributor to Gramophone and a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, he covers the classical music scene in Korea and internationally.

From heartbeat to detonation: Kirill Petrenko and the Berliner Philharmoniker in Seoul