In the present musical topography of Germany's capital the 20th century dominates — To its early musical history (16th–17th c.) only one address refers (see here); from the musically flourishing era of Frederic the Great and the 19th c. are more traces extant, but we miss the Königliches Nationaltheater (1786), at which Mozart visited a performance of his Entführung aus dem Serail (demolished for the Schauspielhaus) or the beautiful house of the Mendelssohns in the Leipziger Straße, centre of home concerts (destroyed). Many music temples from the late 19th c. disappeared, incl. the important Kroll-Oper in Tiergarten; the old Philharmonie ( Bülow, Nikisch, Furtwängler) made place for the remarkable tent-like “Circus Karajani” (see here). The renowned Stern'sche Konservatorium (1850) was incorporated in the Hochschule (1869; extant).

The peak of Berlin cultural life, the first decennia of the 20th c., offers the most clues, both in serious music ( Schreker, Schönberg, Hindemith, Busoni, Weill a.o.) and in entertainment (revues, Comedian Harmonists, etc. etc.). The two worlds came together in the cabaret Überbrettl (1901–02) at which Schönberg and Oscar Straus cooperated. Many houses of the leading figures carry a plaque, often made by the 'Kön. Porzellan-Manufaktur'.

After 1933 the loss of many composers, performers and teachers, severe war damages and the division West–East (BRD–DDR) until 1990 caused much problems, but the musical life has retained an exceptionally high level.

For performances and several festivals: see www.berlin.de/kultur-und-tickets