Performance Highlights:
Copenhagen Philharmonic
BAAM @ the Elbphilharmonie
Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm
Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz
George Enescu Festival, Bucharest
Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra
Staatsorchester Braunschweig
Tonkünstler Orchester Vienna
“Bernstein Dances is a rousing revue to the music of Leonard Bernstein, played with verve and precision by the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra, which was highly committed throughout the run with Garrett Keast conducting. ”
“Garrett Keast is energetic and throws himself completely into stirring up his orchestra.”
Garrett Keast has received worldwide attention for his ability to create galvanizing and soul-stirring experiences in concert halls and opera houses. Praised for “leaving audiences hungry for more” (Basler Zeitung), the Berlin-based conductor is recognized for his broad repertoire experience and for his American focus with his Berlin Academy of American Music, a professional chamber orchestra founded during the pandemic, which is focused on the American repertoire. He is consistently admired for the enthusiasm and synergy he builds with musicians and audiences.
Keast began his career in New York as Associate Conductor of the New York City Opera before launching his career in Europe with engagements at the Paris Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Oper Bonn, and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester. Today, he regularly appears at venues including Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Brussel’s BOZAR, the Staatsoper Hamburg, Aspen Music Festival, Theater an der Wien, and the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. Described as drawing out “refined and concentrated playing” with “assured sensitivity” (Financial Times), Keast has conducted performances with orchestras such as the Tonkünstler Orchester, Deutsches Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, the Atlanta Symphony, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Recent recording projects have included Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf with the Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin and the debut album of the Berlin Academy of American Music, Transatlantic, which features the Greek flutist Stathis Karapanos and Israeli soprano Chen Reiss.
The 2023-2024 season features a fall tour of Korea with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo and Hankyung Arte Philharmonic, a televised, live broadcast with Vienna’s Tonkünstler Orchestra (Bernstein and the American Songbook) featuring soprano Aleksandra Szmyd and tenor Matthew Newlin, as well as engagements with the Royal Swedish Opera, the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Staatsorchester Braunschweig, and the Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo. Repertoire highlights include John Adam’s Fearful Symmetries, Fazıl Say’s Istanbul Symphony, Caroline Shaw’s Watermark Concerto, and Kurt Weill’s Symphony No. 2. In addition, Keast conducts the Berlin Academy of American Music at the George Enescu Festival in Bucharest and in the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg with programs including Bernstein, Copland, Gershwin, Mazzoli, Shaw, and Stravinsky. Later in the season, Keast brings BAAM to the Konzerthaus-Berlin, conducting a program focused on works of Avner Dorman, Aviya Kopelman, David T. Little and Ursula Mamlok.
In Rehearsal with Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 - Garrett & Stuttgarter Symphoniker
Garrett conducts Beethoven’s Eroica - A film portrait (Co Merz)
Britten’s Four Sea Interludes with NDR Jugendsinfonieorchester
BERLIN ACADEMY OF AMERICAN MUSIC
Formed during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the Berlin Academy of American Music recorded its debut album Transatlantic in Berlin’s legendary Teldex Studios. ONYX Classics released the compact disc with worldwide distribution and streaming in October of 2021.
The orchestra is the creation of its founder and artistic director, American conductor Garrett Keast and is made up of world-class musicians sharing a common focus to perform and promote the greatest works of American and American immigrant composers. Keast is passionate about creating a cultural bridge between America and Europe, presenting sophisticated programs with popular appeal, and showcasing an exceptionally talented orchestra from Germany’s capital. The Berlin Academy has already enjoyed collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Israeli soprano Chen Reiss, American violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley, Greek flutist Stathis Karapanos and French harpist Marie-Pierre Langlamet. The orchestra enjoyed a series of debut concerts in Berlin featuring the European premiere of Anthony Davis’s “You Have the Right to Remain Silent” and in February of 2022 made its debut on the main stage of Hamburg’s famed Elbphilharmonie. Upcoming performances include invitations to major festivals, a recording focused on Carter, Mumford, Bach and Stravinsky, and the commissioning of a new violin concerto by American composer Jonathan Dawe for BAAM’s new concert series Lost and Found Composers.
BBC Music Magazine reviews BAAM’s first album Transatlantic (Onyx Classics): “A celebration of the love affair enjoyed between composers and America, this is a winning collection of works …”
By Frederik Hanssen - 11/27/2022: Founding the Berlin Academy of American Music, American conductor Garrett Keast aims to make the music of his homeland better known in Berlin…
June 3, 2023 - CONCERTI MAGAZINE - Lighting a Beacon of Creativity and Ideas: Conductor and ensemble founder Garrett Keast carries the torch of American music across the Atlantic…
June 14, 2023 - GARDEN & GUN MAGAZINE - How a Texas Conductor Brings American Music to European Audiences:“We’re not just a sweet little Mozart chamber orchestra”…
By Ilona Oltuski - January 7, 2023: BAAM's Transatlantic brings together a group of diverse professional orchestral musicians that share his passion – uncover and explore the vast soundscape of American Music in Berlin's classical music scene…Keast takes a post-pandemic moment to reflect on his life as a musician that bridges both continents' traditions and expands on the inclusive character of social justice with music…
In an almost sold-out Concertgebouw (and for the occasion can be viewed on life-size screens on Museumplein), two major Broadway stars (Alli Mauzey and Hugh Panaro) were accompanied by the Württembergische Philharmonie, conducted by the American conductor Garrett Keast…
“under the direction of Garrett Keast… the 102 of Haydn revealed the best of the orchestra by the stylish impetus, the depth of the strings, the fusion of timbres...”
“Under the baton of Garrett Keast, the musicians make Bernstein’s works soar in the lyrical parts and shine and pulsate like fireworks in the groovy numbers.”
George Enescu Festival, Bucharest
Berlin Academy of American Music
CAROLINE SHAW: Entr'acte
BERNSTEIN: Serenade
LIVIA TEODORESCU: Eritrean Ring (Premiere)
COPLAND: Appalachian Spring Suite
Mihaela Martin, violin
DAEGU Opera House, Korea
Ballets des Monte-Carlo
Hankyung arte Philharmonic Orchestra
PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet
Seoul Arts Center, Korea
Ballets des Monte-Carlo
Hankyung arte Philharmonic Orchestra
PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet
Gangneung Arts Center, Korea
Ballets des Monte-Carlo
Hankyung arte Philharmonic Orchestra
PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet
Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm
Royal Swedish Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY: The Nutcracker
Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm
Royal Swedish Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY: The Nutcracker
Staatsorchester Braunschweig
Staatstheater Braunschweig, Großes Haus
Live broadcast, NDR
FLORENCE PRICE: Dances in the Canebrakes
CAROLINE SHAW: Watermark Concerto for piano
CHARLES IVES: The Unanswered Question
KURT WEILL: Sinfonie No. 2
Annika Treutler, Piano
Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Ballets de Monte-Carlo
Grimaldi Forum, Monte Carlo
EZIO BOSSO: Within the Golden Hour
JOHN ADAMS: Fearful Symetries
Berlin Academy of American Music
Konzerthaus Berlin Series, Werner-Otto-Saal
Memories & Messages for a Modern World
AVIYA KOPELMAN: Landscape in Fume (German Premiere)
DAVID T. LITTLE: 1986 (European Premiere)
DAVID LANG: Wed (European Premiere)
URSULA MAMLOK: Fünf Phantasiestücke
AVNER DORMAN: Nigunim (Violin Concerto no. 2) (German Premiere)
Guy Braunstein, Violin
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz
Rosengarten, Mannheim
THEODORAKIS: Zorbas Suite
SAY: Istanbul Symphony
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz
Pfalzbau Konzertsaal, Ludwigshafen
Rosengarten, Mannheim
THEODORAKIS: Zorbas Suite
SAY: Istanbul Symphony
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Großer Saal
Berlin Academy of American Music
COPLAND: Outdoor Overture
OPSAHL: A Mass of Stars Block the View (world premiere)
MAZZOLI: Dark with Excessive Bright
BERNSTEIN: Wonderful Town Overture
BERNSTEIN: Three Dance Episodes from "On the Town"
GERSHWIN: An American in Paris
Charlotte Thiele, Violin
Teldex Studio / ONYX Classics
World Premiere Recordings of Dorman (2025 release)
Berlin Academy of American Music
DORMAN: Tanyaderas
DORMAN: Cello Concerto
Inbal Segev, Cello
Tonkünstler Orchestra Vienna: Bernstein and the American Songbook
Live broadcast, ORF III / Program includes:
BERNSTEIN: Overture to “Wonderful Town”
BERNSTEIN: “Glitter and be gay” from Candide
BERNSTEIN: Three Dance Episodes & “Lucky to be me” from “On the Town”
BERNSTEIN: “Concert Suite” and “Mambo” from West Side Story
Aleksandra Szmyd, Soprano
Matthew Newlin, Tenor
Royal Swedish Opera
Royal Swedish Orchestra
MINKUS: Don Quixote
Royal Swedish Opera
Royal Swedish Orchestra
MINKUS: Don Quixote
San Antonio Philharmonic
First Baptist Church of San Antonio
Florence Price: Dances in the Canebreaks
Bruch: Violin Concerto
Dvorak: Symphony No. 8
Nancy Zhou, Violin
Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse
PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet
Orchestre national du Capitole
Ballet du Capitole
Les Etoiles, les Solistes et le Corps de Ballet
Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse
PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet
Orchestre national du Capitole
Ballet du Capitole
Les Etoiles, les Solistes et le Corps de Ballet
Berlin Academy of American Music
Lost & Found Composers Series
Siemens Villa, Berlin
CAROLINE SHAW: Entr’Acte
JONATHAN DAWE: Violin Concerto (world premiere)
MAMLOK: Concerto for String Orchestra
STRAVINSKY: Danses concertantes
Niek Baar, Violin
Arctic Phillharmonic, Norway
Kulturhuset Tromsoe
MENDELSSOHN: A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Overture
ANDRE CAPLET: Legende – Poeme Symphonique
BRITTA BYSTRÖM: A Walk to Beethoven
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 1
Royal Swedish Opera
Royal Swedish Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY / Mats Ek: Romeo and Juliet
Staatsoper Hamburg
BERNSTEIN: Bernstein Dances
John Neumeier, Hamburg Ballet
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Tai Murray, Violin
Sebastian Knauer, Piano
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Großer Saal
Berlin Academy of American Music
STRAVINSKY: Circus Polka
URQUHART: Adieu
SHAW: Watermark Piano Concerto
DORMAN: Tanyaderas
BERNSTEIN: Fancy Free Suite
Staatsoper Hamburg
BERNSTEIN: Bernstein Dances
John Neumeier, Hamburg Ballet
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Tai Murray, Violin
Sebastian Knauer, Piano
Staatsoper Hamburg
BERNSTEIN: Bernstein Dances
John Neumeier, Hamburg Ballet
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Tai Murray, Violin
Sebastian Knauer, Piano
Berlin Academy of American Music
Siemens Villa, Berlin
BERNSTEIN: Halil
COPLAND: Appalachian Spring (original 13 instrument version)
DAVIS: You Have the Right to Remain Silent (European premiere)
STRAVINSKY: Dumbarton Oaks, Concerto in E flat
URQUHART: Lamentation for Flute & Strings (world premiere)
Stathis Karapanos, Flute
Berlin Academy of American Music
Villa Elizabeth, Mitte Berlin
BERNSTEIN: Halil
COPLAND: Appalachian Spring
DAVIS: You Have the Right to Remain Silent
STRAVINSKY: Dumbarton Oaks, Concerto in E flat
URQUHART: Lamentation for Flute & Strings
Stathis Karapanos, Flute
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Großer Saal
Berlin Academy of American Music
COPLAND: Saturday Night Waltz
IVES: Country Band March
SHAW: Entr’acte
STRAVINSKY: Dumbarton Oaks, Concerto in E flat
- pause -
MILHAUD: La Creation du Monde
BERNSTEIN: West Side Story Overture
GERSHWIN: Rhapsody in Blue
BERNSTEIN: Candide Overture
Kiveli Dörken, Piano
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Opera Orchestra
BERNSTEIN: Bernstein Dances
John Neumeier, Hamburg Ballet
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Tai Murray, Violin
Sebastian Knauer, Piano
Frauenkirche Dresden
ELLINGTON: Sacred Concert
BERNSTEIN: Mass
Solisten & Chor der Hochschule für Musik Dresden
Chor des Sächsischen Landesgymnasiums für Musik Dresden
Orchester & Big Band der Hochschule für Musik Dresden
Würtembergisches Philharmonie
Open-Air Reutlingen
Broadway program featuring works by Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and others.
Alli Mauzey, Soprano
Hugh Panaro, Baritone
Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
Würtembergisches Philharmonie
Broadway program featuring works by Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and others.
Alli Mauzey, Soprano
Hugh Panaro, Baritone
Theater im Delphi, Berlin
BERNSTEIN: Songfest (two piano version)
Meechot Marrero, Soprano
Sidney Walker, Mezzo Soprano
Edith Dowd, Alto
Michael Weinius, Tenor
Daniel Keeling, Baritone
Olafur Sigurdarson, Bass
Tim Ribchester & Chelsey Padilla, Piano
Finnish National Opera & Ballet
PENDERECKI, KILAR, GORECKI, CHOPIN, WIENIAWSKI
Jekyll & Hyde, World Premiere
Finnish National Opera Orchestra
Val Caniparoli, Choreographer
Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra
Istanbul Lütfi Kirdar ICEC, Streamed Concert
DVORAK, Romance for Violin and Orchestra
MENDELSSOHN, Concerto for Violin, d minor
BEETHOVEN, Symphony No. 8, F major
Jan Mracek, Violin
Berlin Academy of American Music
Recording for ONYX Classics in Berlin’s Teldex Studios
STRAVINSKY: Concerto in E flat, Dumbarton Oaks
COPLAND: Appalachian Spring (original version for 13 instruments)
URQUHART: Lamentation for Flute and String Orchestra
Stathis Karapanos, Flute
Konzerthaus Berlin
Konzerthaus Orchester
PROKOFIEV: Peter and the Wolf
Recording for EUROARTS
TONALi Orchester
BeEnigma Project
Featuring new works of Eivind Buene, Peter Ruzicka, José M. Sánchez-Verdú, Manfred Trojahn, Judit Varga.
Elbphilharmonie concert and tour preparation.
San Antonio Symphony Orchestra
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
PUCCINI: Crisantemi
MOZART: Exsultate Jubilate
MOZART: Giunse alfin il momento
STRAVINSKY: Concerto in E-flat, Dumbarton Oaks
COPLAND: Appalachian Spring (original version for 13 instruments)
Lyubov Petrova, Soprano
Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra
Istanbul Lütfi Kirdar ICEC, Streamed Concert
COPLAND, Hoe-Down from Rodeo
BARBER, Adagio for Strings
COPLAND, Clarinet Concerto
STRAVINSKY, Concerto in E-flat, Dumbarton Oaks
Ferhat Göksel, Clarinet
Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg
TONALi Orchester
BeEnigma Project, WORLD PREMIERE
Featuring new works of Eivind Buene, Peter Ruzicka, José M. Sánchez-Verdú, Manfred Trojahn, Judit Varga.
Malzfabrik, Berlin
TONALi Orchester Tour
BeEnigma Project
Featuring new works of Eivind Buene, Peter Ruzicka, José M. Sánchez-Verdú, Manfred Trojahn, Judit Varga.
ORF Radiokulturhaus, Vienna
TONALi Orchester Tour
BeEnigma Project, AUSTRIAN PREMIERE
Featuring new works of Eivind Buene, Peter Ruzicka, José M. Sánchez-Verdú, Manfred Trojahn, Judit Varga.
Kongress und Kulturzentrum, Lucerne
TONALi Orchester Tour
BeEnigma Project, SWITZERLAND PREMIERE
Featuring new works of Eivind Buene, Peter Ruzicka, José M. Sánchez-Verdú, Manfred Trojahn, Judit Varga.
Cologne Philharmonie
TONALi Orchester Tour
BeEnigma Project
Featuring new works of Eivind Buene, Peter Ruzicka, José M. Sánchez-Verdú, Manfred Trojahn, Judit Varga.
Konzerthaus Berlin
Konzerthausorchester Berlin
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Christoph Eschenbach, Conductor
WEBER: Der Freischütz
Garrett Keast, Musical Assistant
Opernfest / Berlin Opera Academy
Berlin Theater im Delphi
Opernfest Orchester
HUMPERDINCK: Hänsel und Gretel
“He goes beyond just music; he strives to create an atmosphere and evoke feelings in the listener.”
LOCAL AGENCIES & PRESS
Impulse Art Management, Amsterdam
Benelux, Germany, Austria - Management
Martijn Jacobus
+31 20 626 6944 / martijn (at) Impulseartmanagement.nl
impulseartmanagement.nl
Kanzen Arts, New York
North America - Management
Earl Blackburn
+1 (917) 702-8403 / eblackburn (at) kanzenarts.com
kanzenarts.com
Nordic Artists Management, Copenhagen
Scandinavian Management
Jacob Soelberg
+45 4449 2910 / jrs (at) nordicartistsmanagement.com
www.nordicartistsmanagement.com
Press / Public Relations
For Artists Berlin - Philip Krippendorff
+49 30 644 75241/ philip.krippendorff (at) forartists.de
General Assistance / Manager, Special Projects - Amy Harris
office (at) garrettkeast.com
BAAM’s Elbphilharmonie Concert featured on NDR’s Hamburg Journal