This April, the Berlin-based Trickster Orchestra celebrates its first own festival with the TransTraditionale. Over three days, some of the most virtuosic soloists and composers, most exciting ensembles, and leading figures of music scenes shaped by migration and global diversity will come together at Radialsystem.
The TransTraditionale looks forward to a curious audience eager to experience music beyond traditional concert formats. It presents global musical languages, new collaborations and line-ups, and novel formats that invite closeness, exchange, and shared experience—also for those who wish to rediscover contemporary music with open ears.
A central question of the festival is: What is an orchestra in today’s diverse society? Which instruments belong to it, in which languages are lyrics sung, and what music does it perform?
Across the spaces of Radialsystem, a sequence of special formats unfolds over three festival days including premiere concerts, studio sessions, talks, and more. The program presents artists and ensembles from chamber music and jazz, combining musical diversity with new approaches to the concert format. In the main hall, the Trickster Orchestra premieres newly commissioned works that meet collective improvisation and open up sonic perspectives on community, diversity, and the present.
Following the concerts, smaller formations, electronic sounds, and increased volume create an energetic atmosphere. On Sunday, DJ İpek brings the festival to a close with global beats. At the studio sessions, music is created live and uniquely in front of the audience—between improvisation, composition, and collective experimentation. Listeners are invited to actively follow and shape the process.
At the World Café open table discussions, concerts are reflected upon collectively and discussed with international guests—a relaxed and dialogical exchange where everyone is welcome. Each day also features special formats for children and families, as well as expanded and inclusive ways of experiencing music.
Across the program songs and lyrics are presented in Turkish, Arabic, French, Farsi, German, and English.
