From July 5 to August 31, 2025, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival is not only celebrating its 40th edition, but is also dedicating itself to the fascinating music metropolis of Istanbul and the Turkish pianist Fazıl Say, who is shaping the festival as a portrait artist. With over 200 concerts, five music festivals in the countryside, two children's music festivals and the shipyard summer, the SHMF unfolds at 125 venues in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Denmark and Lower Saxony.

The outstanding guests include international stars such as Lang Lang, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Midori, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Thomas Quasthoff, Joshua Bell, Daniel Hope and many more. The program is complemented by renowned orchestras such as the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, the Camerata Salzburg, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the hr-Sinfonieorchester and innovative ensembles such as the Goldmund Quartet, the ensemble reflektor and Mnozil Brass.

In 2025, the festival will continue to build bridges to jazz, pop and world music. Names such as Max Mutzke, Rebekka Bakken, Faada Freddy, Los Pitutos and the Jazzrausch Bigband stand for cross-genre concert evenings. Katja Riemann, Ulrich Tukur and Dörte Hansen perform in literary-musical formats. A special focus is placed on the city of Istanbul: more than 60 concerts are dedicated to the musical diversity of this historic metropolis. They include the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra, Golden Horn Brass, Light in Babylon and numerous soloistsand composerswho combine Eastern and Western soundscapes.

Fazıl Say presents his impressive artistic spectrum in 17 concerts - from solo recitals and chamber music to symphonic works, including several of his own symphonies and a new mandolin concerto for Avi Avital. He is thus a musical ambassador for Istanbul and a bridge builder between cultures. With a diverse program and international guests, the SHMF 2025 opens a new chapter in its history - inspired by the spirit of encounter and carried by the power of music.
July 5 to August 31, 2025