Kiezsalon with Francesca Marongiu and Peder Simonsen

Over three evenings in July, the Kiezsalon inhabits the Akademie der Künste, moving between the subterranean bunker and rooftop terrace overlooking the Brandenburg Gate. On Thursday, 16 July, we begin with Italian composer Francesca Marongiu and Norwegian instrument builder and brass researcher Peder Simonsen. We continue on Friday with Elif Gülin Soğuksu and Sarah Neufeld, finishing on Saturday with Limpe Fuchs & Grischa Lichtenberger and Cahl Sel.

Electronic music composer and sound designer Francesca Marongiu is originally from Rome, now based in Tuscany. Her work moves between sound, memory and place, blending acoustic sensitivity with electronic processes and weaving ambient forms into atmospheric compositions. Having previously released solo music as Crisne and Agarttha, she released her first album under her own name, Still Forms in Air, last year via Umor Rex. Igloo Magazine called it “a quietly radiant work of organic minimalism that reveals her as a singular voice in contemporary ambient composition.”

Peder Simonsen is a Norwegian musician, composer, instrument builder and brass researcher. His practice focuses on just intonation, microtonality and long-duration sound, using sustained tones to explore overtones and acoustic space. He performs with the tuba trio Microtub and in a duo with Jo David Meyer Lysne. All About Jazz characterised their 2024 album Spektralmaskin as “a haunted music box possessed by a playful but melancholic ghost.” In 2025 he premiered a sound installation featuring custom-built mechanical trombones in collaboration with NOTAM.

Located directly next to the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Berlin, the Akademie der Künste at Pariser Platz is home to art presentations, documentary exhibitions, temporary installations, performances and more. At the Kiezsalon, you’re invited to move between the very top and bottom of the building — watching concerts in the bunkers and enjoying DJ sets on the rooftop terrace.

This Kiezsalon is a project by Digital in Berlin and in collaboration with the Studio for Electroacoustic Music, Akademie der Künste. Curated by Michael Rosen and funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. Presented by The Wire and taz, die tageszeitung.

Arrangör: Digital in Berlin