DeutschIncense of Music 68/ Bart, Friedman, Hoppe
A multisensory concert – Saturday, 22nd November 2025, 8 pm
Danielle Friedman, piano
Ariel Bart, harmonica
Lisa Hoppe, double bass
Fabio Dondero (Incense burning): birch and rosemary
PANDA Platforma in der Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstr. 97, 10435 Berlin
Prepare for an evening of captivating soundscapes and aromatic immersion as three exceptional musicians grace the stage at Panda Platforma for a unique multisensory concert. Harmonica player and composer Ariel Bart, pianist Danielle Friedman, and double bassist Lisa Hoppe will come together to create an unforgettable musical journey, enhanced by the subtle scents of birch and a surprise incense from the Mediterranean. This special event will weave together the diverse and innovative styles of the three Berlin-based artists. Ariel Bart is known for redefining the chromatic harmonica, blending jazz with Middle Eastern influences to create music that is both cinematic and emotionally resonant. Danielle Friedman, a pianist and composer, navigates the spaces between jazz, classical music, and lyrical free improvisation, her compositions marked by a keen sense of rhythm and movement. Lisa Hoppe, a composer and improviser on the double bass, brings a wide spectrum of musical language to her performances, ranging from free improvisation and jazz to modern chamber music. The concert will be a part of Panda Platforma’s “Incense of Music” series, which seeks to create a deeper listening experience by incorporating the sense of smell. The chosen scents of birch and a yet-to-be-revealed Mediterranean fragrance will complement the musical performance, with the earthy aroma of birch grounding the audience in the present moment while the Mediterranean notes evoke a sense of warmth, travel, and storytelling, mirroring the musicians’ own diverse backgrounds and musical explorations. Panda Platforma, a non-profit organization located in the Kulturbrauerei, is a well-established hub for a wide array of cultural events, including experimental music, jazz, and global beats. This multisensory concert is a testament to the venue’s commitment to offering innovative and immersive artistic experiences.
Ariel Bart is a harmonica player and composer, currently based in Berlin. She has made the chromatic harmonica her primary focus, developing a distinctive voice through her compositions. Her debut album, In Between (spring 2021, Ropeadope Records), introduced her innovative sound, which she further expanded in her second release, Documentaries (Ropeadope Records).
Danielle Friedman is an Israeli pianist and composer and improviser based in Berlin. Her music flows between Jazz, Classical, and lyrical as well as rhythmic free improvisation, riddled with imagination. She studied at The Center For Jazz Studies in Tel Aviv, and received a full scholarship to finish her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary music in New York.
Lisa Hoppe is a double bassist, composer and improviser, based in Berlin. Her musical works contain a variety of genres and non-genres: Ranging between free improvisation, jazz in all shapes, modern chamber music and chanson, she is always striving to put the melodic qualities of the double bass into contemporary context. She writes for music theater and works with several projects in Germany and Switzerland. Her album Faking An Imperfect Utopia with her band YSOP was nominated for German Jazz Price in 2024.
The birch (Betula genus) is a deciduous tree instantly recognizable by its striking, luminous white bark. Its name, derived from an ancient root word for “bright,” perfectly captures the shimmering quality of its bark, which often peels in thin, paper-like layers on younger trees. As a resilient pioneer species, the birch is one of the first trees to grow in disturbed or barren land, making it a powerful symbol of renewal. With its delicate, often weeping branches and small, triangular leaves that emerge in a vibrant green, it is one of the earliest harbingers of spring. When used as incense, burning its bark, wood, or leaves releases a fresh, woody, and subtly sweet fragrance that is both calming and uplifting. The smoke is traditionally believed to possess strong purifying properties, ideal for clearing away stagnant, negative energy and making space for the new. A birch burning is thought to awaken the spirit, foster creativity, and provide courage for fresh starts. It imbues a space with a sense of harmony and comfort, acting as a gentle balm for the soul and perfectly embodying the tree’s spirit of regeneration and bright new beginnings.
Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub native to the dry, rocky coastal areas of the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, and is scientifically known as Salvia rosmarinus, which translates to “dew of the sea,” a poetic name reflecting its habitat. The plant is characterized by its robust, woody stems and needle-like leaves that are dark green and glossy on top with a distinctive silvery-white, fuzzy underside. These leaves are highly aromatic, releasing their potent fragrance when brushed against or crushed. During its blooming season, rosemary is adorned with small, delicate flowers that can range in color from pale blue and white to pink, making it an attractive plant for both herb gardens and ornamental landscaping. It is exceptionally drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Beyond its visual and olfactory appeal, rosemary has a long and storied history in culinary, medicinal, and ceremonial practices, dating back to ancient civilizations. As an incense, rosemary is valued for its powerful cleansing and invigorating properties. The dried leaves are either burned loose on a charcoal disc or bundled into smudge sticks, often combined with other herbs like sage or lavender. When ignited, it produces a moderate amount of aromatic smoke that carries a robust, clean, and camphoraceous scent. The primary note is a refreshing, pine-like aroma, underpinned by earthy, woody, and slightly peppery tones. This complex fragrance is known for its ability to purify the atmosphere, both literally and symbolically. It is traditionally used to clear a space of negative energies, to promote protection, and to enhance mental clarity. The smoke is believed to stimulate the mind, improve memory and concentration, and ward off mental fatigue, a belief even referenced in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Furthermore, the incense is used in rituals to encourage healing, promote restful sleep when used moderately, and provide a general sense of upliftment and alertness. The experience of burning rosemary incense is often described as bringing the crisp, revitalizing air of a sun-drenched Mediterranean hillside into a room.
