Magdalena Zięba-Schwind

Magdalena Zieba-Schwind gives music a voice – and does so with cinematic brilliance. As both an author and director, she crafts emotionally rich stories that transcend traditional music documentaries, revealing the heart and soul behind every note. Her films spotlight the lives and legacies of composers, musicians, and orchestras, translating sound into powerful visual narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.

From the energy of the Berlin Philharmonic on tour in Asia, to the exuberant fusion of cultures in Philharmonix – The Berlin Vienna Music Club, or the vibrant pulse of Cuban Dances, Magdalena builds bridges between music and the human experience. Her documentaries such as 100 Years of Radio Orchestras and Claudio Abbado Conducts the Resurrection Symphony delve into musical history and passion with equal finesse. In works like The Wrath of Nina Simone and Living with Beethoven, she explores music’s power to shape lives and provoke thought on pressing societal issues.

Magdalena studied musicology, art history, and English literature in Berlin, laying the foundation for a multifaceted career in storytelling. Since 2000, she has worked as a journalist, writer, and director for leading broadcasters including Arte, ZDF, 3sat, DW, and RBB. Since 2014, she has also been a producer with the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Digital Concert Hall, creating documentaries, concert broadcasts, and video content that bring the magic of music to the screen.

Through her lens, music becomes more than sound—it becomes story, emotion, and connection.