Short Rides with John Adams

John Adams is one of the most influential and at the same time most popular US composers of the post-war period, known for his irresistible music in which minimalism is mixed with imaginative orchestration and jazzy verve. The Film accompanied the composer for a year on his explorations and “Short Rides” in Berlin. The film documents both on and off stage encounters with musicians of the Berliner Philharmoniker, old friends and associates such as Sir Simon Rattle, Peter Sellars, Gustavo Dudamel and star violinist Leila

Josefowicz (“I call him Johnny”). A film which is both entertaining and serious, and which features jazz-inspired symphonic and poignant Passion music. A film not only for connaisseurs and admirers – just like the music of John Adams.

SIMON! The Joy of Conducting

Sir Simon Rattle is one of the most famous conductors in the world. His enthusiasm, his inspiring charisma and his empathetic manner inspire audiences in the big cities and in the provinces. ,,I always have music in my head,“ says the 70-year-old Peter Pan of classical music – we are there when the spark jumps and understand why he can ignite a fire and inspire people to love music like no other. In January 2025, Sir Simon Rattle will be 70 years old – no age for a conductor, but reason enough to look back and see what made him what he is today: A constant innovator who always had to deal with resistance, but who never lost his passion for communicating music.