Olivia Capadose profiles one of Berlin’s most intimate classical music spaces…

When row Z seating in a sweaty concert hall isn’t doing it for you any more and ticket prices start to rise, you’ll find the intimate environment and straightforward concept of the Piano Salon Christophori beginning to beckon.

Nestled in a quiet Wedding street, the salon is one part of the privately funded cultural centre Uferhallen, which provides a platform and space for artists looking to work, study and perform. Set up in 2007, it makes use of a garage complex formerly used by Berlin’s municipal transport services for vehicle repairs.

The architecture of the 1926 building offers big spaces, high ceilings and natural light, providing an ideal space for dance productions, artists in residence, sound studios, and a range of concerts. This hub of creativity has now become internationally renowned both for its innovative production and as a venue for world-class performance.

The workshop-cum–venue crammed full of piano paraphernalia is messy, but mesmerising. The walls are lined with old piano parts—strings, hammers, lids—and every corner is bursting with other musical curiosities and miscellaneous ‘old things’.

The founder of the salon is the doctor and piano fanatic Christoph Schreiber, who confesses to being a bit of a collector. “I used to collect stuff,” he says, but “now it’s the stuff that comes to me, so I’ve stopped actively looking. Except for a good, old harpsichord of the massive kind—which would be a great addition…”

He trails off dreaming of his fantasy harpsichord and something tells me the place will continue to evolve. Towards the back of the room is a clearing, lit atmospherically, which is reserved for performances. Ranging from classical recitals and concerts to jazz and occasional experimental performances, this space has been graced by big name musicians—violinists Sayaka Shoji and Alexandra Soumm, pianists Kit Armstrong and Stanislav Ioudenich, cellist Nicolas Altstaed…