One of contemporary Europe's leading composers, Helmut Lachenmann, invited Kurbasy to a joint concert in the main hall of Berlin Philharmonie. 22 May 2026.
Berlin Philharmonie — Europe's most influential classical concert institution — hosts on 22 May 2026 an integrated performance of the Kurbasy ensemble at a concert by German composer Helmut Lachenmann (92 years old, Siemens Prize 2008 laureate). The concert runs in the Large Hall (Großer Saal, 2440 spectators) and lasts 2 hours with 1 intermission. Concert programme: Act I — Lachenmann's original composition 'Carpathian Reflections' (written in 2024-2025 with references to Ukrainian folk tradition after Lachenmann's meeting with Kurbasy in 2023), duration 45 min, performed by Berliner Philharmoniker under Kirill Petrenko with integrated voices of Kurbasy. Act II — solo Kurbasy concert, 45 min, with 5 tracks from the new 'Berezil 100' album (see separate news). This is the first German composer collaboration with a Ukrainian folk ensemble in the history of Berlin Philharmonie. Lachenmann commented: 'Kurbasy is not a folk ensemble. It is a fundamental phenomenon from which I learn a new vocal language. This is a gift of Ukrainian tradition to European culture.' The concert is recorded for the DVD/Blu-ray 'Berlin: Carpathian Reflections' (release 24 October 2026), and also broadcasts live on Mezzo TV and Suspilne Culture.
