From Hardwood to Harmony: How Basketball Shaped a Berlin Symphony’s Soul

For many, sports and music exist in separate spheres. but for Ander Perrino, a principal double bassist with the prestigious Deutsche Symphonie Orchester Berlin, basketball isn’t just a pastime—it’s a foundational element of his musical understanding and leadership.

Perrino’s journey began on the “black courts” of Vitoria, Spain, dreaming of NBA glory. However, the allure of music, nurtured at the Jesús guridi Conservatory, proved too strong. Now, at 38, he’s a linchpin of Berlin’s classical music scene, a testament to the power of diverse passions.

Based in Berlin since 2006, Perrino honed his craft at the Hochschule Für Musik hanns Eisler and collaborated with the berlin Philharmonic. He also spent time with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, learning from the legendary Claudio Abbado.

He had a gift to move the auditorium.
Ander Perrino on Claudio Abbado

But the echoes of the basketball court still resonate. Perrino, a self-described “hooper,” sees parallels between his instrument and the game he loves.”I was a ‘hooper’, a street player,” recalls Perrino, who also holds a professorship at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich.

He fondly remembers his early basketball fandom, particularly the FC Barcelona teams of the early 2000s, led by players like Elmer Bennett, Luis Scola, and Andrés nocioni. It was the time of the first Ivanovic. I remember living those times with great intensity. When Bennett, Scola, Nocioni … played. He recalls watching the 2010 ACB League final, where Fernando San Emeterio’s game-winning shot secured the title for Caja Laboral Baskonia, only to have his internet cut out at the crucial moment.

The Ron Carter Connection: finding Leadership in the bassline

Perrino’s passion for the double bass ignited at the Vitoria Jazz Festival. at 15, witnessing Ron Carter perform with “The Art of Four” profoundly impacted him. He draws a direct line between Carter’s leadership and the role of the double bass in an ensemble.

“I was fascinated by his way of leading the band,” Perrino explains. “I usually make a parallel between double bass and basketball. It is an instrument in which you rarely have a melody, but it gives you the ability to lead a band, an orchestra or a camera group. You are in the background, but you master everything.”

this concept of “leading from the back,” common in basketball with point guards orchestrating the offense, translates seamlessly to Perrino’s musical beliefs. He sees the double bass as the anchor, providing the rhythmic and harmonic foundation upon which the rest of the orchestra builds.

When asked which Baskonia player would best master the double bass, Perrino doesn’t hesitate: “Elmer bennett.” This choice reflects Bennett’s court vision and ability to control the game’s tempo, qualities Perrino admires and embodies in his own musical performance.

Beyond Stereotypes: A Modern Musician with a Global View

Perrino’s diverse musical tastes, influenced by jazz and his love for the NBA, challenge the ofen-rigid stereotype of classical musicians. He notes the NBA’s popularity in Germany, even rivaling the Bundesliga. Here the NBA throws more. This global perspective informs his approach to music, fostering an open-mindedness that allows him to connect with audiences from all backgrounds.

In his hometown of Vitoria, Perrino emphasizes the city’s dual identity: “Vitoria is a city of jazz and basketball.” This blend of culture and sport has shaped him into the artist he is today, a testament to the power of embracing diverse passions.

Further research could explore the growing intersection of sports and music, examining how athletes use music for motivation and focus, and how musicians draw inspiration from the discipline and teamwork inherent in sports. Are there specific musical pieces that resonate with basketball players, and vice versa? Exploring these connections could reveal deeper insights into the human experience.