New Year's Concert: Best of Classics — Symphonia Berlin

About the Event

Jumpstart your year with the New Year's Concert: Best of Classics — Symphonia Berlin, an unmatched musical spectacle housed in the stunning Kaiser‐Wilhelm‐Gedächtniskirche.

Symphonia Berlin was founded with the aim of presenting classical music at extraordinary standards while revolutionizing concert presentation. Its musicians, exceptional talents from around the globe, strive for perfection in capturing the emotional depth of each piece, offering audiences unforgettable experiences.

The Mission
Their objective is to make classical music accessible to everyone and spark a love for it in new generations. By blending innovative programming with top‐tier performances, they link tradition with modernity.

The Repertoire
Ranging from Baroque treasures to contemporary works, their diverse repertoire encompasses the entire range of orchestral music, with particular pride in their interpretations of symphonies and chamber pieces.

Igor Budinstein — Violin solo
A distinguished violinist, violist, and conductor, Igor Budinstein was once part of the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic under the guidance of maestros like Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, and Riccardo Muti. An alumnus of the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin, he has led major orchestras such as the Konzerthausorchester Berlin and internationally, the Suwon Philharmonic, Victoria Symphony, and Shenzhen Symphony.
He has also worked alongside Kent Nagano and Andrey Boreyko, collaborating with figures like Vladimir Ashkenazy, Garrick Ohlsson, Ning Feng, and Piotr Plawner. Trained as a violist in Moscow, Berlin, and Lübeck, he now serves as Principal Viola of the Deutsches Symphonie‐Orchester Berlin, with guest appearances in Munich, Hamburg, and Dresden State Operas.

Anna Katharina Borsch — Soprano
Anna Katharina Borsch, a globally acclaimed soprano, is known for her rich timbre, artistic depth, and emotional authenticity. Initially trained as a violinist and organist, she studied under Ruth Grünhagen in Düsseldorf, earning her Master of Music from the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln with Prof. Mechthild Georg.
A multi‐award‐winning international competition champion, she has performed at esteemed venues like the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. As a scholarship holder from the Richard‐Wagner‐Stiftung Köln and the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, she works with leading ensembles such as the Rhenish Oratorio Orchestra and the Vienna City Orchestra.
Recent achievements include her praised performance of Verdi’s Requiem in Berlin and her celebrated portrayal of Violetta Valéry in Verdi’s La Traviata, a role she will reprise in Hamburg in 2026. With her expressive depth and exceptional musical talent, she captivates audiences across Europe in concerts and opera.

Vladimir Magalashvili — Organ
Vladimir Magalashvili initially pursued chemistry and worked at Moscow's N.D. Zelinsky Institute before turning to music. He began formal organ and piano studies at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory with Prof. Galina Semenova. He later earned a Master’s in Organ Performance from Berlin's University of the Arts, under Prof. van Doeselaar and others, graduating with honors from the Kazan State Conservatory.
He has performed globally in solo and ensemble performances, including collaborations with the Berliner Philharmoniker and conductors like Jonathan Nott. In 2018, he won 2nd Prize at the Neubrandenburg Organ Competition. An organist with Berlin's Babylon Orchestra and sirventes berlin Ensemble, he advocates for the music of Marcel Dupré and expands organ repertoire, working with contemporary composers. His 2022 project, Organ.Light.Percussion.Electronics, blends classical organ with modern sound design.