crescendo — UdK Berlin Music Festival
Two-week university festival with 20+ free concerts in Charlottenburg
About crescendo
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The Festival of Berlin's Young Music Scene
When the Berlin University of the Arts opens its doors in late spring, one of the capital's most exciting — and most freely accessible — festivals begins: crescendo. The organizer is the Faculty of Music at UdK Berlin, one of Germany's most renowned music universities. Students and faculty present the entire spectrum of their artistic work in over twenty concerts within two weeks — from the opening with the symphony orchestra to chamber music, from jazz (Big Band JIB) to children's concerts under the name "crescendino".
What Makes crescendo Special
Unlike commercial music festivals, crescendo is not about big names and expensive tickets — admission is free, though reservations are recommended. Instead, you'll discover young musicians at the beginning of their international careers, hear experimental programs from the Studio for New Music, and experience chamber music with a density and quality that is otherwise rarely accessible.
Program Pillars
- Symphony Concerts: UdK Symphony Orchestra with works by Shostakovich, Brahms, and others.
- Chamber Music: Piano trios, string quartets, piano duos, wind ensembles
- Jazz: Big Band JIB (Jazz Institute Berlin), combos, jam sessions
- Vocal Music: University Choir, vocal ensembles, song recitals
- New Music: Studio for New Music, often with world premieres
- Children's Concerts: the "crescendino" format with family and school programs
- Special Events: occasional festival concerts in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the Joseph Joachim Concert Hall
Venues in Charlottenburg
The main venues are the UdK Concert Hall at Hardenbergstraße 33 and the Joseph Joachim Concert Hall in the Carmerstraße building — both in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district. Selected festival concerts take place in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on Breitscheidplatz. All venues are within walking distance of each other.
A Berlin Music Tradition
UdK Berlin is the heir to the Academy of Arts founded in 1696 and one of the most important training centers for classical music in Europe. crescendo makes this tradition audible and experienceable for a broad city audience — Berliners and visitors can discover the next generation of the European music scene here in two weeks.
crescendo — edition 2026
crescendo26 — "GegenTöne" in Two Weeks
The 2026 edition, under the first solo year of Prof. Konstantin Heidrich as artistic director, is dedicated to the motto "GegenTöne" (Counter-Tones). "Music fosters confidence, stimulates creativity and resilience, and offers comfort," says Heidrich. The festival opens on May 30, 2026, with a programmatic statement: conductor Michael Sanderling leads the UdK Symphony Orchestra through Shostakovich's 12th Symphony and Brahms' Double Concerto. This is followed by two weeks of over twenty concerts at various UdK venues in Charlottenburg.
Programme crescendo 2026
Program May 30–June 13, 2026 (Excerpt)
Opening Concert
- May 30, 2026 — UdK Symphony Orchestra, Conductor: Michael Sanderling. Shostakovich: 12th Symphony / Brahms: Double Concerto. UdK Concert Hall, Hardenbergstraße 33.
Symphonic and Major Concerts
- UdK Symphony Orchestra (Opening + further concerts)
- Anniversary concerts and gala performances celebrating 75 years of Berliner Festspiele (Cooperations)
- Program with works by Chopin, Spahling, and "radical original sound"
Chamber Music
- String quartets, piano trios, wind ensembles, piano duos
- Fauré Quartett — Special performance for their 30th anniversary
- Studio for New Music with contemporary works
Jazz and Big Band
- Big Band JIB (Jazz Institute Berlin)
- Jazz combos and improvisation formats
Vocal Music
- University Choir, Chamber Choirs, Vocal Ensembles, Song Recitals
crescendino — Children's and Family Concerts
- Children's concerts with choirs and workshops
- School concerts in Berlin schools (separate dates)
Venues
- UdK Concert Hall, Hardenbergstraße 33, 10623 Berlin
- Joseph Joachim Concert Hall, Carmerstraße (UdK)
- Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Breitscheidplatz (Special concerts)
Tickets and Reservations
Free admission. Reservation recommended via udk-berlin.de. Full program booklet available early May 2026.
Highlights crescendo 2026
Prices crescendo 2026
Practical information — crescendo
Getting There
UdK Main Building: U2 Ernst-Reuter-Platz or S Savignyplatz (5 min. walk each). From the main station: S5/S7 to Zoologischer Garten, then walk.
Tickets
Admission to all concerts is free. Reservations are recommended, as the UdK Concert Hall quickly sells out for popular programs. Donations to maintain free access are welcome.
Program Booklet
The detailed festival program can be ordered from the UdK website or picked up on site.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place crescendo
UdK Konzertsaal, Joseph-Joachim-Konzertsaal, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche
Hardenbergstraße 33, 10623 Berlin