Ultraschall Berlin 2026: A Deep Dive into Modern Music
Berlin’s annual festival for new music, Ultraschall Berlin, returns from January 14th to 18th, 2026. The festival will showcase premieres, German premieres, recent works, and classics of avant-garde music, offering a diverse and innovative program across several of Berlin’s key cultural venues.
What is Ultraschall Berlin?
Ultraschall Berlin is a festival dedicated to contemporary music, organized by radio3 and Deutschlandfunk Kultur. Established as part of the ‘Musik der Gegenwart’ series, the festival has been presenting new sounds in Berlin since the 1950s. It aims to explore the boundaries of music, combining new and experimental sounds with historical context.
2026 Festival Highlights
The 2026 edition of Ultraschall Berlin features a wide range of performances and events. The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO Berlin) will perform the opening and closing concerts of the festival.
The opening concert on January 14th, 2026, at the Haus des Rundfunks will feature works by Talib Rasul Hakim, Zeynep Gedizlioğlu, Claudio Ambrosini, and Hermann Keller, performed by Marc Albrecht, the GrauSchumacher Piano Duo, and the DSO Berlin.
Performances will also be held at Radialsystem, Heimathafen Neukölln, and other partner locations.
Featured Artists and Ensembles
- GrauSchumacher Piano Duo: Performing with the DSO Berlin at the opening concert.
- ensemble mosaic: Featured in several performances throughout the festival.
- Zafraan Ensemble: Performing Amen Feizabadi’s “Deep Siesta.”
- Trio Accanto: Performing “the last of their kin(d).”
- Mathias Monrad Møller: Featured in multiple performances, including solo function and collaborations.
Venues
- Haus des Rundfunks
- Radialsystem
- Heimathafen Neukölln
- Partner locations
Ticket Information
Tickets for Ultraschall Berlin 2026 are available for single concerts and day passes. Prices vary, with reduced rates available.
- Single concert: €18 (reduced €12)
- Concert (January 16th): €20 (reduced €14)
- Day ticket (Saturday, four concerts): €60 (reduced €40)
Looking Ahead
Ultraschall Berlin continues to be a vital platform for contemporary music, fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. The 2026 festival promises to be another compelling showcase of new sounds and ideas, solidifying Berlin’s position as a leading center for experimental music.