BSO
Berlinisches Sinfonieorchester

The Musicians

Meet the international artists, section leaders, and orchestral players who bring the sound of the Berlinisches Sinfonieorchester to life across Berlin’s concert halls.

Section I

Strings

First Violins

Stella Karalis - Concertmaster
Section Leader

Concertmaster of the BSO. Renowned for her expressive phrasing, chamber leadership, and dedication to symphonic excellence in Berlin.

Stella Karalis

Concertmaster
First Violin
Germany

Master of Music graduate specializing in romantic and classical orchestral repertoire.

Clara Schumann

First Violin
First Violin
Germany

Active chamber soloist and guest orchestral player across European festivals.

Felix Mendelssohn

First Violin
First Violin
Austria

Specialized in large-scale symphonic works and chamber sonatas.

Johannes Brahms

First Violin

Second Violins & Violas

Principal Second Violin
Principal Chair

Leading the second violin section with rhythmic drive and tonal balance.

Gabriel Fauré

Principal Second Violin
Principal Viola
Principal Chair

Rich middle-voice timbre and devoted pedagogue within Berlin's chamber ensembles.

Nadia Boulanger

Principal Viola
Viola
France

Orchestral violist focusing on modern color palettes and textural balance.

Maurice Ravel

Viola

Violoncellos & Double Basses

Principal Cello
Principal Chair

Celebrated soloist bringing lyricism and depth to the lower string core.

Camille Saint-Saëns

Principal Cello
Violoncello
Czechia

Ensemble cellist passionate about romantic orchestral sonorities and folk idioms.

Antonín Dvořák

Violoncello
Isabel Barciela - Principal Double Bass
Section Leader

Principal Double Bass of BSO. Solid foundation and dynamic leadership at the heart of the orchestra's acoustic architecture.

Isabel Barciela

Principal Double Bass
Double Bass
Hungary

Powerful bass presence anchoring the lowest register of the symphonic body.

Franz Liszt

Double Bass
Section II

Woodwinds

Flutes & Oboes

Ebru Algül - Principal Flute
Section Leader

Principal Flute of BSO. Admired for her luminous tone, expressive agility, and versatile chamber presence in Berlin.

Ebru Algül

Principal Flute
Flute
France

Specialized in impressionistic wind colours, piccolo, and contemporary orchestral works.

Claude Debussy

Flute / Piccolo
Principal Oboe
Principal Chair

Warm, focused oboe sound and specialist in English horn orchestral solos.

Robert Schumann

Principal Oboe

Clarinets & Bassoons

Raphaëlle Courtay - Principal Clarinet
Section Leader

Principal Clarinet of BSO. Distinguished for velvety cantabile lines, virtuosic flexibility, and rich tone in symphonic concert programs.

Raphaëlle Courtay

Principal Clarinet
Clarinet
Finland

Clarinet and Bass Clarinet player dedicated to Nordic and late-romantic textures.

Jean Sibelius

Clarinet
Principal Bassoon
Principal Chair

Master of the double reed, providing warm bassoon timbre and agile staccato clarity.

Béla Bartók

Principal Bassoon
Section III

Brass

French Horns, Trumpets, Trombones & Tuba

Principal Horn
Principal Chair

Noble horn sound delivering heroic fanfares and tender chamber solos with equal mastery.

Gustav Mahler

Principal Horn
Principal Trumpet
Principal Chair

Crisp articulation and ringing high register across classical and modern overtures.

Richard Strauss

Principal Trumpet
Principal Trombone
Principal Chair

Rich orchestral low-brass presence with wide dynamic range and cantabile legato.

Hector Berlioz

Principal Trombone
Tuba
Principal Chair

Resonant symphonic tuba anchor, providing immense acoustic foundation to the brass choir.

Modest Mussorgsky

Principal Tuba
Section IV

Percussion & Timpani

Principal Timpani
Principal Chair

Pivotal orchestral motor commanding rhythmic intensity and dramatic dynamic drive from the timpanist throne.

Igor Stravinsky

Principal Timpani
Percussion
Ukraine / Germany

Multi-percussionist adept at snare, cymbals, bass drum, and melodic mallet instruments.

Sergei Prokofiev

Percussion
Auditions & Roster

Play With Berlinisches Sinfonieorchester

Are you an accomplished instrumentalist living in or visiting Berlin? We continually hold video auditions and project-based calls for string, wind, brass, and percussion players.

Join the Orchestra →