Die 12 Cellisten der Berliner Philharmoniker

About

Die 12 Cellisten der Berliner Philharmoniker are the only ensemble officially named by the Berlin Philharmonic. Founded in 1972 after a radio recording of Julius Klengel's Hymnus for twelve cellos, they have since performed independently across a repertoire spanning baroque, jazz, tango and contemporary music. Composers including Arvo Pärt, Sofia Gubaidulina and Tan Dun have written works specifically for them, and the group has served as a cultural ambassador for Berlin at state visits and international summits.

98.2K

monthly listeners on Spotify

cellists in the ensemble (twelve at a time on stage)

50+

year active as independent ensemble (founded 1972)

What's new

2026-09
The ensemble performs on September 6, 2026 at the Auditorium Grafenegg (Austria) with works by, among others, Klengel, Françaix, Shostakovich and Gershwin.
2026-01
The ensemble opened 2026 with a concert at the Tonhalle Düsseldorf.
2025
The ensemble toured Taiwan with concerts in Kaohsiung and Taichung, with a program of Villa-Lobos, Fauré and Dvořák alongside crossover repertoire.
2025-01
The ensemble performed on January 3, 2025 at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.
2022-01
In January 2022 the ensemble celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special concert at the Berliner Philharmonie.