The Deutsche Radio Philharmonie has announced its 2026/2027 season, further developing the artistic vision established by Josep Pons as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director. Under the theme Visions of Europe, the new season explores the cultural foundations of Europe, combining the great symphonic repertoire with contemporary music and innovative artistic projects.
The central thread of the season is The Pillars of Europe, a series inspired by the myths, writers and traditions that have shaped European civilisation. Classical and Germanic mythology, Goethe, Shakespeare, Dante and the Christian tradition provide the cultural framework for a programme that reflects on Europe’s past and present through music.
“After looking back to Die Welt von Gestern, this season we turn our gaze towards the pillars of Europe. Greco-Roman and Germanic mythology, Goethe, Shakespeare, Dante, Christianity and new myths run throughout the season as cultural foundations of our continent.”
— Josep Pons
Alongside this concept, the season includes several thematic projects, including Universum Hildegard, dedicated to Hildegard of Bingen; Laments & Passion, exploring sacred and spiritual repertoire; an artistic portrait of composer Jörg Widmann; and a major focus on George Benjamin, one of today’s leading contemporary composers.
Throughout the season, Josep Pons will conduct many of the orchestra’s principal programmes, featuring works by Debussy, Ravel, Mahler, Wagner, Richard Strauss, Berlioz, Schumann, Liszt, Prokofiev, Haydn and George Benjamin, among many others. The season will bring together internationally renowned soloists and will also include a tour of Spain, reinforcing the orchestra’s international profile.
The programme also places particular emphasis on contemporary creation, Europe’s musical heritage and the dialogue between tradition and modernity—an artistic vision that has long characterised Josep Pons’s work and continues to define his leadership of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie.
With this new season, the orchestra reaffirms its commitment to artistic excellence, cultural reflection and openness to new audiences through a programme that celebrates the richness and diversity of Europe’s musical heritage.