Manuals of the Present – Carte Blanche
Nikolai Music on Friday
In “Carte blanche,” organists present their personal perspectives on Berlin’s history and social issues. By bringing together contemporary music with works from earlier centuries, they create surprising sonic experiences and open up new perspectives. You’ll discover how the organ can sound today and how contemporary music gives it new voices!
Please note
We can only provide a limited number of seats for concerts at the museum. Your ticket entitles you to attend the concert, but does not guarantee you a seat. We apologize for any inconvenience.
About “Manuals of the Present”
This concert series, part of “Nikolai-Musik am Freitag” programme, accompanies the special exhibition “Chorus” at the Nikolaikirche. Curated by composer and organist Alexander Moosbrugger, it presents the organ as an instrument of the present. The title refers to the manual— the keyboard of an organ played with the hands. Focusing on various themes, the concerts combine contemporary music with Berlin’s urban and intellectual history. They address current social issues and showcase the organ as an instrument of today.
Admission to the concert is free for anyone holding a Ukrainian passport, a Ukrainian residence permit or a valid student ID card from a Ukrainian university and a residence permit in Germany, as well as for anyone holding an electronic residence permit (eAT).
Вхід на нашу серію подій «Nikolai-Musik am Freitag» безкоштовний для людей з українським паспортом, посвідкою на проживання з України або дійсним студентським посвідченням українського університету та посвідкою на проживання в Німеччині, а також для всіх, хто має електронну вид на проживання (eAT).
Discover the exhibition
Info & Service
Opening Hours
from 02.10.2026 until 18.04.2027
Mon – Wed + Fri – Sun | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thu | 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Operating hours of the sound installation
Mon – Wed | 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Thu | 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat + Sun | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
You can experience the complete sound installation Monday to Friday between 12 noon and 6 pm, starting on the hour. In addition, the installation can be heard on Thursday evenings and at weekends, albeit without the carillon.
Differing opening hours:
Mon | 14.09. – 01.10. | Closed (Change of exhibition)
Thu | 24.12. | Closed (Christmas Eve)
Fri & Sat | 25. + 26.12. | 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (First & Second Christmas Day)
Thu | 31.12. | Closed (New Year’s Eve)
Fri | 01.01. 2027 | 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (New Year’s Day)
The visitor rules of the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin apply.
For children
A free children’s activity booklet for the permanent exhibition “Berlin’s Middle” is available at the entrance in German, English, Polish, Turkish and Arabic. If you have any questions, our team will be happy to help.
Directions
Nikolaikirchplatz
10178 Berlin
Contact
Infoline
+49 30 240 02 – 162
Mo – Fri | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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