Die jungen Musiker

An der Violine werden wir Gregor Hänssler, Eszter Kruchió, Luise Schulte und Dorothea Schupelius erleben. Gregor Hänssler, aus Schopfheim, wurde 1996 geboren und ist sowohl Preisträger des 1. Preises in der Solo und Duo Wertung bei „Jugend musiziert“ als auch 1. Preisträger im Quartett beim Schweizerischen Jugendmusikwettbewerb. Eszter Kruchió ist 1993 in Budapest geboren, in Wien aufgewachsen und studiert seit 2011 Violine an der Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hamburg bei Prof. Tanja Becker-Bender. Sie nahm bereits 2009 bei Mit Musik- Miteinander teil und errang mehrfach Preise bei „Prima la Musica“. Luise Schulte ist 1995 in Frankfurt geboren, ist bereits seit 2009 Mitglied des Landesjugendsinfonieorchester (LJSO) Hessen und seit 2011 Schülerin in der Klasse Yvonne Smeulers am Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium in Frankfurt. Komplettiert wird der Violinensatz durch die 1996 geborene Dorothea Schupelius aus Berlin. Sie ist Stipendiatin des Deutschen Musikinstrumentenfonds, Preisträgerin verschiedener Wettbewerbe, wie „Jugend musiziert“ oder dem Klassikwettbewerb Berlin und hat bereits zahlreiche Soloauftritte im In- und Ausland bestritten.

Das unser Projekt Mit Musik – Miteinander zunehmend internationaler wird, zeigt sich diesmal im Bratschensatz. Sara Ferrández ist eine junge talentierte Bratschistin aus Madrid und bereichert die Zusammensetzung der Teilnehmer mit südlichem Flair. 2010 gewann die 1995 geborene Spanierin den dritten Preis beim Internationalen Viola-Cello Wettbewerb Llanes. Sara Ferrández studiert seit 2008 bei Prof. Diemut Poppen und Jonathan Brown an der Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía in Madrid. Sie besuchte bereits Meisterkurse bei Jesse Levine, Thomas Riebl und Kim Kashkashian. Neben Sara Ferrández wird Kevin Treiber nach Kronberg kommen. Er wurde 1992 in Taiwan geboren und ist in Frankfurt aufgewachsen. Kevin Treiber ist Preisträger bei „Jugend musiziert“, wird unterrichtet von Máté Szücs, dem Solobratschisten der Berliner Philharmoniker und studiert an der Hochschule für Musik Würzburg bei Prof. Nimrod Guez.

Die Cellisten sind Nina Horn, Jacob Schwarz und Simon Tetzlaff. Die beiden zuletzt genannten jungen Musiker wurden 1996 und 1997 geboren und sind in Hessen groß geworden. Jacob Schwarz aus Oberursel ist Solocellist des Landesjugendsinfonieorchester Hessen und ist Preisträger bei „Jugend Musiziert“, unter anderem gewann er gemeinsam mit dem aus Bad Homburg stammenden Teilnehmer Simon Tetzlaff in der Wertung Cello-Duo den 1. Bundespreis. Simon Tetzlaff ist bereits zum zweiten Mal bei Mit Musik – Miteinander dabei, er erhielt im Alter von 6 Jahren seinen ersten Klavier und mit 9 Jahren seinen ersten Cellounterricht. Zur Zeit wird er von Prof. Susanne Müller-Hornbach unterrichtet. Ina Horn ist die dritte im Bunde der Cellisten. Sie kommt aus Roth bei Nürnberg und erhielt bereits im Alter von 5 Jahren ihren ersten Cellounterricht. Sie gewann 2009 einen ersten Bundespreis bei „Jugend musiziert“ im Duo Cello-Klavier und ist Mitglied des Bundesjugendorchesters.

Die Dozenten

Im ersten Durchgang von MMM in diesem Jahr sind die Dozenten Guy Ben-Ziony (Viola), Alexander Sitkovetsky (Violine) und István Várdai (Violoncello). Guy Ben-Ziony wurde in Israel geboren, studierte in Israel bei Prof. Chaim Taub, in Frankfurt bei Prof. Tabea Zimmermann und ferner in Leipzig bei Prof. Tatjana Masurenko. Seit 2006 hat er selbst eine Professur für Viola an der Hochschule für Musik „Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy“ in Leipzig übernommen. Guy Ben-Ziony ist kein Unbekannter in Kronberg, denn im Jahre 2000 war er bereits „Junior“ bei Chamber Music Connects the World.

Der Violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky wurde 1983 geboren. Im Alter von acht Jahren wurde er von Yehudi Menuhin an dessen Schule nach England geholt, wo er zunächst von Natasha Boyarsky, zuletzt von Pavel Vernikov unterrichtet wurde. Alexander Sitkovetsky ist Alumnus des Studiengangs Kronberg Academy Masters, seine Lehrerin war Ana Chumachenco. Im Jahr 2010 war er ebenfalls  Junior bei Chamber Music Connects the World.

István Várdai ist der Cellist unseres Workshops, er wurde 1985 geboren und stammt aus einer ungarischen Musikerfamilie. Er wurde im Alter von 12 Jahren bei Prof. László Mezö an der Franz Liszt Musikakademie Budapest aufgenommen. Von 2010 an studierte er bei Prof. Reinhard Latzko an der Wiener Musik-Akademie. Seit 2010 wird István Várdai als Junger Solist der Kronberg Academy von Frans Helmerson unterrichtet. 2008 war er Sieger beim 63. Internationalen Concours de Genève und 2010 nahm auch István Várdai als Junior an Chamber Music Connects the World teil.

Ab Freitag, den 20. April heißt es wieder: Vorhang auf für ein spannendes musikalisches Wochenende in Kronberg!

Paul T. Haas / Kronberg Academy

Nächste Woche ist es wieder soweit: Kronberg wird zum Ziel von 9 jungen Preisträgern der nationalen Jugendmusikwettbewerbe „Jugend musiziert“ (Deutschland),  „Prima la Musica“ (Österreich) und dem Schweizerischen Jugendmusikwettbewerb.

Der Grund ist das zweimal im Jahr stattfindende öffentliche Kammermusikprojekt für besonders begabte Schüler Mit Musik – Miteinander der Kronberg Academy. In diesem Jahr ist der erste Durchgang am kommenden Wochenende, 20.–22. April. Die nach Kronberg reisenden jungen Teilnehmer sind nicht älter als 20 Jahre. Die Dozenten sind bereits junge, international auftretende Musiker, die am Beginn Ihrer eigenen Karriere stehen. Im zweiten Teil unseres Blogbeitrags werden wir die einzelnen Schüler und Dozenten kurz vorstellen.

Was ist das Besondere an diesem Projekt?

Initiiert und getragen von der Crespo Foundation, stellt dieses Projekt (erstmals im Oktober 2002 durchgeführt) das gemeinsame Erarbeiten von kammermusikalischen Werken in den Mittelpunkt. Die Konzept-Idee ist in Anlehnung an ein anderes Projekt der Academy entwickelt worden. Es handelt sich um das Projekt Chamber Music Connects the World. Bei diesem Projekt kommen junge, hochbegabte Künstler, die zwischen 19 und 29 Jahre alt sind und zu den Besten ihrer Generation gehören, als sog. „Juniors“ nach Kronberg, um mit ihren weltberühmten Lehrern, den „Seniors“ wie etwa Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet, Steven Isserlis oder András Schiff, kammermusikalische Werke zu erarbeiten. Im Sinne eines Generationenvertrages werden nun die „Juniors“ bei Mit Musik – Miteinander zu „Seniors“ und unterrichten ihrerseits junge Talente zwischen 13 und 20 Jahren. Die drei jungen Dozenten am kommenden Wochenende sind: Guy Ben-Ziony, Alexander Sitkovetsky, István Várdai.

Welche Werke stehen auf dem Programm?

Bei Mit Musik – Miteinander werden von jungen Musikerinnen und Musikern einzelne Sätze aus Werken großer Meister erarbeitet. Passend zum 150sten Geburtstag von Claude Debussy wird der erste Satz des Streichquartetts in g-Moll op.10 Bestandteil des Programms sein. Es ist das einzige Streichquartett aus der Feder des französischen Komponisten. Der Titel „Erstes Streichquartett in g-Moll op.10“ ist insofern bemerkenswert, als keine andere Komposition Debussys die Tonart im Namen trägt und, dass kein anderes Werk Debussys eine Opusnummer trägt. Vermutlich wollte er den Anschein eines renommierten Quartett-Komponisten erwecken, der bereits neun Opus vorzuweisen hat. Das Quartett lässt sich wohl am Besten durch seine „volle verblüffende Originalität und seinen Charme“, aber gleichzeitig durch seine „diabolische Schwierigkeit“ charakterisieren. Eine besondere Herausforderung für unsere jungen Teilnehmer ist also schon hier vorprogrammiert. Neben Mozarts Quintett in C-Dur KV 515 wird es von Guy Ben-Ziony unterrichtet.

Alexander Sitkovetsky hat neben dem berühmten Streichoktett op. 20 von Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy ebenfalls ein Werk ausgewählt, das im Schaffen des Komponisten eine besondere Stellung einnimmt: Das Streichquintett in F-Dur von Anton Bruckner ist das einzige Streichquintett, das der Symphoniker schrieb. Es war zu Lebzeiten des Komponisten eines seiner erfolgreichsten Werke. Das Adagio in Ges-Dur wird von Alexander Sitkovetsky gemeinsam mit den Teilnehmern erarbeitet. Es ist der zentrale Satz der Komposition, der Musikwissenschaftler Wilhelm Altmann urteilte sogar: „Hätte Anton Bruckner nur den langsamen Satz seines Quintetts geschrieben, so wäre er bereits unsterblich geworden“.

Außerdem werden noch das berühmte Brandenburgische Konzert Nr.3 von Johann Sebastian Bach unter Mitwirkung aller Dozenten und das Grave und Rondo aus Luigi Boccherinis Quintett für Violoncello und Streichquartett C-Dur op. 28/4 von und mit István Várdai erarbeitet. Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) war selbst ein bedeutender Cellist seiner Zeit und schrieb unzählige Kammermusikwerke und 110 (!) Streichquintette mit 2 Celli. Er ist ein Wegbereiter der Kammermusik, was die früher kontrovers diskutierte Frage, ob Haydn oder Boccherini das Streichquartett erfunden habe, verdeutlicht.

Vorläufiges Fazit: Das bevorstehende musikalische Wochenende in den Räumen der Streitkirche, das Musikfreunde ohne Eintritt miterleben können, dürfte somit  zu einem abwechslungsreichen Streifzug durch die Musikgeschichte geraten. Der Bogen wird gespannt von Johann Sebastian Bach und reicht bis Claude Debussy. Wir freuen uns über jeden Zuhörer und sind gespannt, welche Spuren die Arbeit in den öffentlichen Workshops beim musikalischen Ausklang am Sonntag, den 22. April, ab 15.00 Uhr hinterlassen wird.

Paul T. Haas / Kronberg Academy

Hanna Lee is a 27 year old viola player who became a Young Soloist of Kronberg Academy Masters in Oct. 2011. She is now belonging to a group of 14 distinct students to complete her musical education with this special study programme for an international solo career degree in Kronberg. Hanna is a very laid-back person who thinks she has many new opportunities to broaden her musical cosmos and pick up the cultural background of all the compositions and composers that she will be encountering while studying at Kronberg Academy.

Since October last year Hanna has been busy visiting masterclasses and making new friends with fellow Young Soloists. Her first major steps in musical education took place in her home country Korea. Hanna attended both the music middle and high school, then joined the Korean National University of Arts in Seoul. There she studied until she was 18.

While Hanna was studying in Korea, she began to appreciate the value of chamber music. At age 18 a decision was made to go to the US and join one of the major conservatories. Between 2002-2004 Hanna attended Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, then between 2004-2008 she went to Boston to continue her musical studies at the famous New England Conservatory. In addition, Hanna attended a couple of famous musical festival events, such as the Verbier Festival (2006, 2008), Ravinia Festival in Chicago (2010) and the highly regarded Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont (2011).

We met Hanna after the masterclasses with violist Yuri Bashmet earlier this year and Hanna agreed to engage in a brief dialogue with us. After this session she was totally relaxed saying that it was quite easy to conduct this kind of conversation rather than being caught in a stiff  interview. Anyway, here is what we learned from Hanna´s first encounters with our institution during this conversation.

Please tell us about your experiences when you came to Philadelphia to enroll at Curtis Institute which is known for its lowest acceptance rate of any college or university in the US, making it the most selective institution of higher education in the United States.

Hanna: Well, it was my first time to go to a foreign country. Oh, this was a culture shock for me, everything was very different! And Curtis, I found out, was a very tiny institution. This institute serves as a training ground for orchestral players to fill the ranks of the Philadelphia Orchestra. But it also offers courses for composers, organists, pianists and singers.

What was special there based on your previous experiences with musical education in your home country Korea? Everyone has great admiration for Curtis Institute which was established in 1924

Hanna:  Musical Education focuses on chamber music and on orchestral playing. They have their own orchestra called “the Curtis Symphony Orchestra”. One must be aware that there is also a very strong connection between the Philadelphia Orchestra and Curtis. Many great conductors have been alumni, eg Leonhard Bernstein, Christoph Eschenbach, Alan Gilbert. Or instrumentalists such as Hilary Hahn or Lang Lang. I was concentrating on playing and enjoing with other musicians. There was no focus whatsoever in the direction of solo playing.

What happened in Boston while you were attending NEC?

Hanna: This was a great time. I was lucky to be trained by Kim Kashkashian. She is a marvellous teacher. I learned so much from her. I was able to be close to my instrument, the viola. And Kim´s tuition helped me so much to be comfortable with the instrument.

What is unique about Kim Kashkashian in your view?

Hanna: Her commitment to chamber music, which began during years of participation at the Marlboro Music Festival, is just incredible. And her artistry of the viola is impressive.  Kim also made many appearances at the Salzburg, Marlboro and Lockenhaus Festival.

When did your earliest adventure in music really kick-in?

Hanna: At age 3 I started with piano, my brother played the violin. I wanted to do the same but I was too young. Then at age 5 I switched to violin. At age 10 I met a fellow Korean violist who asked me why I would not try the viola, because of its warmer sound. Well, since that moment I became more interested in playing the viola.

What were the next stages in your educational development?

Hanna: During age 12 – 15 I attended Music Middle School and continued at Music High School until I was 16. In 1995 I entered the Seoul Musical Conservatory.I forgot to mention: In 2000 at age 15 I came to Germany for a winter break. Cologne was the city where I spent 2 months. I was performing in concerts but also visited other artists performing. It was a great time, I was excited about the musical culture and history in Gemany. Music and the people seem to be very much connected, this is kind of unique. So I decided to continue my further musical studies in Germany!

Which viola teachers influenced you most strongly during your Korean years?

Hanna: Well, there are two teachers I want to mention: firstly, Soon Wha Oh and, secondly, Sang Jin Kim. Both were influencing me quite significantly. I am thankful for that period of learning.

What is the importance of family and staying connected with your parents at home?

Hanna: Well, my mother, who is a trained pianist who had established a school for young kids who wanted to learn piano, motivated me quite a lot. So early on, I listened to my mother´s piano playing. My father is not at all engaged with music. But he is somebody who is always providing advice with view to the important things in life, such as family life. My parents never pushed me in any particular direction. My father influenced me strongly in the area of good health. Until today, he always keeps telling me, stay fit and do everything you can, to lay the ground for a healthy lifestyle. I find this advice particularly important! And I follow his advice up to now, because I am totally convinced that this is the right thing to do.

What is special about our study programme Kronberg Academy Masters? How will you benefit?

Hanna: It seems to me that the Kronberg Academy is like a small family. And everyone is connected to many members of that family. I will benefit from this in many ways. With Nobuko Imai I am having a great teacher in Kronberg. And I am going to broaden my mind and awareness musically. Last but not least, I want to absorb the entire cultural background to better understand the composers and their compositions to see a much bigger musical picture. Otherwise,  I don´t have any particular wishes.

Hanna, thank you for this conversation!

Michael Heinz / Kronberg Academy

We believe it is quite illuminating to learn from young musicians why they have applied for participation in our upcoming project “Chamber Music Connects the World”. What are the driving thoughts and notions that they are concentrating on?

A few days ago we have published the thoughts and ideas of 5 young string players. Now we want to follow-up and present another group of five young musicians and their ideas. Here they are:

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Bogdan Bozovic (Vl), Serbia

My attention to this seminar was drawn by Steven Isserlis, as well as several friends and colleagues of mine that were participating in the past years. Chamber music is a great passion of mine and it is the field in music where I had the most experience. In CMCW 2012 I see a great opportunity to work and play with some of my musical idols and together with them explore masterpieces of the chamber repertoire.

Oleksandra Fedosova (Vl), Russia

Mein Ziel und Traum wäre bei der wunderbaren Musik in Kronberg mitzuwirken und die Möglichkeit zu haben mit den jungen talentierten Musikern sowie mit den Weltpersönlichkeiten zusammen spielen zu dürfen und mich weiter zu entwickeln.

Ji Eun Anna Lee  (Vl), USA

Chamber music has, simply put, changed my view on music. No longer is this music of my own – it is something that needs to be shared, that shares itself regardless, including its own individual life. It has shaped my violin playing, my musical interpretation, and also my outlook on life outside of music. I have realised that even playing concertos with an orchestra is a collaborative effort, a large-scale chamber music. I´ve also realised that music breathes and that what I do is breathe with it, whether it is perfectly in sync, syncopated or simply…( )…out of sync.

Adrien Boisseau (Va), France

I would be honoured to play with such musicians as Yuri Bashmet, Gidon Kremer or András Schiff. The seniors of this programme are musicians I respect and admire. I am willing to learn from their experience and talent. Share music with them would be a unique musical experience for me.

Bonian Tian (Vc), China

Chamber Music Connects the World is a dream for me! Because there are a lot of great musicians and artists. I always wanted to find the opportunity to learn and to work with such people. To know  and feel how they are working for the music. But it´s very hard to get it. I am very happy and lucky to be a part of Kronberg Academy. They give me the opportunity and support to do what I want and what I dream!

Michael Heinz / Kronberg Academy

We are happy to present twenty-one young musicians who were qualifying for participation in our June project Chamber Music Connects the World. Now that the audition weekend is recent history we are focussing on the completion of assigning the young musicians to the roughly 15 chamber music works, which were selected by the five seniors. Gidon Kremer and the Kronberg Academy project team are organising the process which young players will be performing in which pieces and what combinations with other players.

After some tough days during the audition the young musicians  can now relax and concentrate on their other duties and To Dos.

Now, who are the participants? For those who haven´t checked out our homepage recently, here we present that list again, categorised by the 4 involved string instruments.

And the juniors are:

Violin
Benjamin Beilman (USA)
Nikita Boriso-Glebsky (Russia)
Bogdan Bozovic (Serbia)
Oleksandra Fedosova (Ucraine)
Miriam Helms Ålien (Norway)
Ji Eun Anna Lee (Korea)
Hyeyoon Park (Korea)
Ying Xue (China)

Viola
Adrien Boisseau (France)
Georgy Kovalev (Russia)
Hanna Lee (Korea)
Hwa Yoon Lee (Korea)
Yura Lee (Korea)
Bénédicte Royer (France)

Cello
Alexander Buzlov (Russia)
Ivan Karizna (Belarus)
Anastasia Kobekina (Russia)
Edgar Moreau (France)
Alexey Stadler (Russia)
Bonian Tian (China)

Double Bass
Edicson Ruiz (Venezuela)

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For readers of our blogposts it might be interesting to learn from these young people why they thought it would be a good thing for them to apply for participation in the first place.

The basic theme of these statements is the aspect of learning under very special circumstances, which are unique. Following are the first five responses.

Nikita Boriso-Glebsky (Vl), Russia

I believe that there are lots of details and nuances in music which cannot be expressed and explained in words, but can only be understood from experience. This is a unique opportunity to gain this experience from such outstanding musicians in person by performing with them and other young and talented colleagues.

Benjamin Beilman (Vl), USA

I had the great fortune of spending four summers as a participant at the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont from 2007-2010 …( ). The Kronberg Academy´s Chamber Music Connects the World project is one that would be an important next step for me in continuing the musical traditions I learned during my summers at Marlboro. Rehearsing and performing alongside musical masters provides a uniquely intimate learning environment that I believe is vital in my current musical development, Additionally, I think it is important to meet and befriend my fellow generation of musicians…..( ).

Yura Lee (Va), Korea

I would like to take part in Chamber Music Connects the World because the experience to learn from the masters is such a valuable one. Sometimes the greatest lessons can take place while playing chamber music together.

Alexander Buzlov (Vc), Russia

I truly believe that for any musician, chamber music pays a major role in his (her) musical development, as you get to share your passion for music with other artists, explore great musical works and learn many things in the process. Chamber Music Connects the World gives that opportunity as you get to meet the great masters and share music with them in a great atmosphere of friendship and love for music. That´s the greatest thing that can happen to any young performer.

3  Edicson Ruiz (Db), Venezuela

Because I love music from the bottom of my heart. It is a dream to make music together with Mr. Tetzlaff, M. Kremer, Mr. Bashmet, Mr. Isserlis and Mr. Schiff whom all I already know by accompanying them at their performances with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for the last 10 years where I have played there.

Our next blogpost will feature more young musicians and their answers. Meanwhile, our project team will finalise the cumbersome work of putting together the final set-up for all the compositions and the casting of players from the group of our young participants.

Michael Heinz / Kronberg Academy

Over the last weekend we welcomed over 30 young musicians from 10 countries. The reason was that we were conducting auditions for our project “Chamber Music Connects the World” which we carry out every two years. The auditions took place in one of the larger concert rooms at Frankfurt´s conservatory (Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst). We were lucky to have Mr. Gidon Kremer, world-renowned violinist, amongst the jurors.

Gidon Kremer is a frequent participant in our various educational projects and he enjoys engaging regularly in this ambitious project. Altogether there were 4 jurors that represented our decision-making body.

Preparations for these two days had already started early in 2011. Over Christmas and the first weeks in January and February our team worked very hard to make everything happen.

One last-minute big hurdle, though, could have destroyed all our organisational work. A major strike of the Frankfurt-based air traffic control personnel happened exactly around the time of the auditions.  Fortunately enough, only one young musician was affected and arrived one day later than originally planned.

The big challenge for those who were invited to take part in the audition was the short time span of only 10 minutes where every player had to engage musically as the fourth player of a string quartet (represented by the Kuss-Quartett) and play one movement from two different compositions. Especially tough was that our young players had no chance to rehearse with the chamber musicians beforehand. Only their own preparations of the two works provided the basis for interaction with the other quartet members.

Many busy helpers provided for food and drinks and a little booth next to the audition room functioned as a tiny organisation office.

Then on Friday, February 17, 9:30 in the morning the first day of audition would kick-off.

Our intern, Evgenia Mukha was heavily involved in all the necessary prep work and she assisted Oda Cramer von Laue, who was following the auditions in the main room. Mareile Zürcher took over the job of  unobtrusively letting in new musicians while other candidates were escorted on their way out.

The first group of players were the violinists. They kept coming in until noon. Then there was a first break for about 3 hours in order for the cellists to kick-off their sessions at 4.30 pm. Shortly before that point of time I arrived in the lobby to witness a very busy scene. Many young musicians were gathering, some sitting in front of a laptop, some engaging in discussions or taking a snack or waiting with their instrument cases in front of the lift. Now and then young students from the conservatory popped-up and checked what was going on.

The cellists were finishing their parts at around 7 pm. And the young players waited with anticipation to receive the results directly from Raimund Trenkler, artistic director of the Academy and member of the jury.

After the cellists had finished a few of  the violinists were called to engage in the last round of play-offs. Throughout the afternoon  the lobby room of Frankfurt´s conservatory was filled with waiting young musicians. During one of the last breaks I took the opportunity and spoke with one of the members of the Kuss-Quartett who have been partnering with our team for the audition work over many years. Jana Kuss and Oliver Wille gave me some background on how the quartet was founded in Berlin and how it had evolved ever since. In  any case, this ensemble has a great reputation and is one of the best in Germany. I asked Jana Kuss, violinist, what was it like to play these pieces a dozen times, and how the young aspirants performed: “Well”, she said, “everyone is different, and they all have their own special way of trying to get inside the sound of the other three players, timing is essential. It is a great experience for us to be part of this activity, however, it requires energy and concentration to play for such a long day”.

Friday was a very long day for all who actively participated. The sessions went on until 8 pm. By that time the majority of young players have had their turn. On the next day, Saturday Febr.18, the remaining group of viola players would jump onto the stage and do their best in front of the jurors, hoping to belong to those who would later be invited to the project in June. We are quite certain that on this weekend, charged with emotions, strong motivation and many expectations, young musicians delivered some great performances, learned some important lessons and gained new insights through this experience.

Michael Heinz / Kronberg  Academy

Thirteen Young Soloists gathered in Kronberg for two days of intense education with a great violist and and a man who understands the full spectrum of the human body language:  mime Samy Molcho. Mr. Molcho is known for his body language expertise while Yuri Bashmet, the world-renowned viola artist, demonstrated his unique musicianship and educational prowess for the young musicians. Samy Molcho´s session delivered an important input for the Young Soloists with regard to the character and quality of their stage presence: Learning and understanding the impact of  an artist´s movements and gestures while performing on stage representing an indirect kind of communication that influences how the artist is generally perceived by the audience. Thereby having an influence on how well the performance can be supported through the right body language.

The sessions with both artists were extremely well received and the stimulation and the insights that the two men had to offer left the group highly motivated. Walking through the hall of our KAM facilities I tried to gather some personal feedback from the young musicians about the sessions with the famous Russian violist.

Said Hanna Lee, 27, violist from Korea,  studying in Kronberg since October last year,
“there was so much information over these two days, I am extremely motivated to dig deeper into  the world of music and try to be more complete as a player. Yes, it was very worthwhile”.

Yura Lee, another Korean violist, now living in Boston, confirmed this view during a break on the last day and continued having great fun with some other fellow Young Soloists.

Ella van Poucke, 17, the youngest participant of the group, found that Mr. Bashmet was extremely focused on every single note of the composition. And Pablo Ferrández, 21, another young Soloist added, “ Mr. Bashmet pays enormous attention to every detail, he has great listening capabilities and I was overwhelmed that he listens to the very last millisecond of a tone. He helps to improve one´s listening skills greatly”.

István Várdai, 27, who will finish the masters programme mid-year, was dwelling on the very personal traits of Mr. Bashmet when he said “ We get along very well with each other, and his personality is of such a kind that I can relate to very much”.

Berlin-based Gabriel Schwabe, 24, just concentrated on two skills. “What makes him unique? I asked. “It´s his very precision and also his patience” Gabriel answered.

Stephen Potts, director of “Kronberg Academy Masters” programme, attended most of the sessions and together with his team colleagues Anne Zipf and Gisela Rösing provided for all the necessary support and logistical services that needed to be organised before, during and after the sessions.

When Mr. Bashmet was ready to rush out of the studio rooms just minutes after the final session was completed I could ask hastily two questions believing these would help characterise his engagement as a teacher in Kronberg.

What is special about Kronberg and its academy, Mr. Bashmet?”, I asked him. “It´s all about the atmosphere. The academy is like a family, that´s very special!”.

“And what do you gain as a teacher from engaging in this kind of activity?” was my follow-up question. Standing already in the doorway he paused for a second then said “ When I am working with very young highly talented musicians I am feeling younger myself”.

Michael Heinz / Kronberg Academy Team

Ella van Poucke turned 17 in April.  Since October  2011 she is a new member of our group of Young Soloists for Kronberg Academy Masters. The professor who will be taking care of her musical development is cellist Frans Helmerson. Last week, shortly before our conversation, Ella had finished a masterclass with Canadian cellist Gary Hoffman, who is also a  permanent Professor in Kronberg.

Asked how to run this interview, Ella smiled and said “My first language is Dutch, second is English and regarding German I can understand quite a bit, speak a few words, but it isn´t enough to let the interview flow in German.”  So we switched to English.

Before we entered Studio 1 in the KAM facilities at Kronberg´s Streitkirche, we took a look at her cello. “It looks quite old“, I remarked.  “No, it isn´t! It was made in 2009, but I would love to have an old one” answered Ella, smiling.

Ella has two brothers and a sister. Her parents provided for a good musical background. Ella´s father is a trained trumpet player for Netherlands  Radio Symphony Orchestra (NRSO). Her mother used to play viola but in recent years she has turned to cooking, professionally and in the family.

Following is a short conversation with Ella, who grew up in a little city near Amsterdam.

1 ) How do you feel in Kronberg?
Ella: It´s a big honour for me to be here! Staying with the best teachers for string instruments and being part of that group of so talented young musicians is very inspiring. It´s a prestigious place to study music.

2) How did you just arrive in Kronberg?
Ella: Well,  I took the train, which is so convenient. I like train rides a lot! There I can sleep,
read and eat! It takes only about 5 hours from Holland.

3) Are you here for the first time?
Ella:  I was in Kronberg last year for the cello masterclasses in September which was a great experience! It all started when I was 15 and taking classes with  Frans Helmerson in Cologne for about a year. He mentioned Kronberg Academy and proposed that I should opt for an audition.  So, during  2009 I travelled to Kronberg the first time and met with Stephen Potts, director of Kronberg Academy Masters. Then I had my first audition. Also I travelled to Kronberg only some weeks ago for attendance of the masterclasses with Gidon Kremer and Volker Biesenbender. Volker lectured on improvisation and Gidon Kremer spoke about music and musicianship. Two very different personalities and styles. Both masterclasses provided a wealth of information.

4) What did you know about KronbergAcademy?
Ella: I heard about the Academy from a friend when I was nine. Later I looked at Kronberg Academy´s homepage on the internet and I found it very appealing.

5) How did your love for playing the cello evolve?
Ella: I started at age 4, taking violin classes. Honestly, I didn´t like it so much,  it was kind of weird. I quit the classes when I was five and a half. Later at age six I discovered the cello and this is what I liked a lot! Then my parents sent me to the Utrecht music school. Looking back I must say the classes became more enjoyable for me and when I was eight it really became more serious and it was fun. I began practicing for myself and at age twelve I was attending the Amsterdam conservatory. Prior to Amsterdam I was also taking classes at Den Haag for about a year. When I was ten I joined a group of young violinists called the “The Fancy Fiddlers”, founded by one of my teachers at the time, Mrs. Coosje Wijzenbeck. There were 20 players in that group and we began to perform concerts.

6) How was musical life in your family?
Ella: I liked to play chamber music. Throughout the day, while at home I also listened to music from my brother and my parents. One of my brothers listened to hip-hop and pop music, my father is a great Jazz fan and he likes the Beatles very much and of course Jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. This kind of music I do like as well. In earlier years my mum was playing viola. So I am used to hear her viola sounds from time to time. But in recent years she has concentrated on her cooking job and music became a side activity. On the other hand her vegetarian cooking style is very good for my health. So, overall, music was ubiquitous in our home. And I was exposed to different styles of music.

7) Who was a strong influence for you?
Ella: As I had already mentioned the “The Fancy Fiddlers” were founded by my teacher Coosje Wijzenbeck, and she had a very strong influence on me. Playing together under her leadership was great fun. We often rehearsed string quartets. Another great influence was and still is British cellist Colin Carr, who is a very good friend of my parents. In fact, I very much loved his way of playing, very different from what I learned through Coosje Wyzenbeck. I play with Colin from time to time in famous concert halls such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. At age 13 I played with him Vivaldi´s Double Concerto in that hall. Another influence was Godfried Hoogeveen, whom I met during the Amsterdam Conservatory years. Godfried is a great player, he told me all about music, not technically but rather aspects related to emotions, musicality and various musical styles. He was a student of renowned cellist Gregor Piatigorsky and became my mentor. Attending the cello masterclass at Kronberg Academy in September 2011  was also a great experience. And not to forget: at age 13 I joined the Amsterdam Chamber Music Society and I am still a member of that institution. There I met Christian Bor who was a student of violinist Jascha Heifetz. Christian as well as Godfried Hooogeveen influenced me over the years quite a lot.
While I was attending the Verbier musical festival in 2009 I had the great opportunity to attend masterclasses with Bernard Greenhouse, about 3-4 lessons, an hour each. Mr. Greenhouse told me so much about phrasing. This was very inspiring for me.

How do you relax ?
Well, I love cooking, walking and jogging. Especially jogging is something I enjoy so much. Also right now. Jogging is hard to do here in Kronberg because of the various hills. So it is quite challenging. When I am at home in our house in Holland I enjoy the great kitchen that we have and do cooking activities with great enjoyment.

Which type of music do you play with great enthusiasm? And what kind of music do you listen to, today?
Ella: I listen to a lot of chamber music. Dvorak´s Cello Concerto performed by Colin Carr is something I like to listen to,  over and over. And I listen to a lot of CDs, mostly classical music. And I like to listen what other fellow musicians play.

Playing and rehearsing daily, how many hours a day do you play and how much of sacrifies does this mean?
Ella: Currently I am playing 5-6 hours a day. The act of rehearsing is fun, I enjoy it! I can´t think of any sacrifices. I am really happy when I am playing, every day! But after so many hours each day other things are getting painful. Like carrying the cello case uphill, biking with the cello or sitting long hours in really unhealthy positions. Those things can be a bit of  a burden, but I can´t call them sacrifices.

10) Which expectations do you have with view to your enrollment with “Kronberg Academy Masters”?
Ella: I am working hard! I will learn things that I need to change in my playing. One can never play complete or perfectly. There is always room for improvements and changes. I want to become a solo cellist and play chamber music. But I also could think of myself as becoming a teacher in the future. All Young Soloists know each other and together with the members of the Kronberg Academy team we belong to a family. This is stimulating. We are inspiring ourselves and the lessons and all the work are quite intensive. The good thing is, all is very well organised by the team. The Academy is not just a music school, it is an institution where so much help is available all the time. I am not waiting here for big things to happen, I concentrate on my work and continuous improvements of my playing.

11) How do you use the internet, how often and how long are you online?
Ella: I am not a typical young internet user or TV person. What I like is using Google for searches. I check my email every day but I don´t stay long online. I am on facebook and using this means staying connected with my friends – this is a good thing. And for background information and easy questions I go to Wikipedia. But otherwise the internet is a waste of time. I am not a heavy internet user,  I see the stupid part of it.

Ella, thank you for this interview!

Michael Heinz/Kronberg Academy

An encounter with Pablo Ferrández Castro, 20-year old new Young  Soloist of Kronberg Academy Masters

Just few hours before his concert for the Musikkreis Leyda Ungerer/Freunde Junger Musiker in Bad Homburg´s Schlosskirche was about to start Pablo Ferrández was kind enough to agree on a short interview focussing on his first impressions regarding his new life in Kronberg.

Just 20 year of age, Pablo was admitted as new Young  Soloist of  “Kronberg Academy Masters”, a  unique study programme launched by Kronberg Academy and Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main in 2006.

Coming from a very musical family young Pablo started to play the cello already at age 3. Both his mother and father were enthusiastic for their children (Pablo has a younger sister , age 16, studying viola) to embark on a highly music-influenced development. Pablo´s father, trained as an engineer, turned musician after having heard several musical performances by his fellow countryman Pablo Casals. So the family decided that their first-born child would be named after the great Catalonian cello virtuoso.

Pablo was born in 1991 in Madrid. His mother, a musical teacher, wanted to instill early on musical capabilities by utilising a technique whereby music-oriented capabilities such as absolute pitch might influence her still unborn children. Obviously the results for both Pablo and his sister seem to have had a very positive impact on their musical developments based on their accomplishments so far.  Pablo currently lives in a guest family´s home in Kronberg and all of the facilities of Kronberg Academy lie within 10 m minutes walking distance. He is now one of 13 young people to study here in this city embracing various masterclasses, workshops and specially designed learning activities.

Following are Pablo´s answers to our questions reflecting his first thoughts and impressions

Q: How do you feel right now, having arrived in Germany and living now in Kronberg
Pablo: Well, I am just doing fine. And I am feeling so inspired. I breathe the good air, the colours, the nature around me. I take a lot of walks and do great deal of jogging. I love it all, here! Well, I could not feel better! Parallel to my regular jogging exercises I do work very hard and rehearse about 7 hours a day. I am very motivated. My willpower gets strengthened through my physical training and I love it. At the same time I feel relief  through walking and jogging.

Q: What is different here, compared to living in Spain
Pablo: Overall, Music is so valued in this country. I am encountering people who are enormously knowledgeable to great degree. For me classical music and Germany are just one thing. This is not really the case in my country. I can experience this very closely during and after concerts. Often people approach me here after the concerts and ask questions, and comment on my playing. They reveal insights and understanding. That is very special. On the other hand it is also quite challenging for an artist to play here.

Q: What did you know about Kronberg Academy prior to being approved in our study programme?
Pablo: I knew about Kronberg Academy quite a bit especially with regard to its international reputation. First, it´s famous, then I understood that it´s reaching for the highest standards in its educational programmes. Yes, and the Academy is known for its successes. And it is very well respected in the musical world, including where I come from. That this institution is just concentrating on only 14 students right now, tells a lot. On the other hand, most young musicians that I know, don´t have a real clue how the academy really works. The selection processes are very tough. What I forgot to mention: the famous teachers that are working with the Academy command respect. All this adds up with most young musicians´ assessment of the Academy as being an exclusive institution.

Q: Who have been your greatest influences, musically speaking?

Pablo: My teacher Natalia Shakoskaya in Madrid at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía. She taught me all important things what it means to play music and what it requires from a musician. She did not impose a particular technique or style or attitude apart from elaborating around the key philosophy on how to see and approach music and a given work of  a composer. Music must come from the inside and it has to be alive and honest. She told me lessons about how to express oneself musically. Natalia gave me everything, I am so grateful to her. Right now I am listening intensely to piano works played by Martha Argerich, that is where I learn many things while listening. I admire her. I don´t listen to lots of cello music, interestingly. Martha Argerich plays in a way, that one thinks the piece is composed in that very moment. This experience, approaching/understanding her enormous musical capabilities is what impacts me strongly  – for quite a while now. And my current teacher Frans Helmerson. He has such a clear understanding of what I need right now. This is fantastic and I am so  happy with him!

Q: Mentioning two great cello players, Pablo Casals  and Emanuel Feuermann and any other you like to mention, what is your  attitude towards these artists?
Pablo: Well, regarding Pablo Casals, we all have great respect for him, he is the grandfather of all other players. I particularly like Casals´s statement about J S Bach:  “Bach´s music means  knowing of everything and being aware of every feeling“.

Regarding Feuermann I can´t say so much because I don´t know enough about him. And then there is Mr. Rostropovich, the great maestro. Yes,  he is incredible. I was introduced to him when I was a small child, but I don´t have personal memories of that encounter.

Q: Living day in day out, with daily hour-long rehearsals, a life fully absorbed by music, how does that feel, are there pains from time to time?
Pablo: I had a very nice childhood and parents that were always caring. The daily practices were never imposed on me or my sister. We developed a sense of our own to rehearse. We are practicing to serve music. The quality and the value of the musical works are so enormous that one has to work so hard in order to be able to come close to the original genius in a given composition. That is absolutely necessary and I am doing it because it s my will to do so. My parents helped me to develop the necessary discipline. Constantly improving one´s playing that has always been my goal, up to now! This also means because of the long hours spent daily that there will be sacrifices, just as in sports! I see a clear parallel between what top sports folks are aiming for and what musicians are striving for in their endeavours. My motto is: we as musicians must work a lot for the sake of the music we are going to perform.

Q: Do you have a personal  vision for your next development steps?
Pablo: I want to become a soloist, performing lots of chamber music. I want to be 100% ready for this profession. Music deserves that the best is being delivered by the players. And I want to fulfill my role in the future not in a commercially driven sense. My music playing shall not be an economic enterprise. I want to make best use of my time with Kronberg Academy, earn the respect of others.

Q: What Do you expect from the educational programme here in Kronberg?
Pablo: At the end of my time in Kronberg I want to feel more complete. And I want to find and explore new possibilities for me. Since all the people in the academy as well as the musicians function altogether quite a bit like a big family I think I will have enough support in my endeavours. And I want to prove that I deserve being one of the students to study here under those great teachers.

Q: Are your parents still closely following your activities?
Pablo: Yes, of course: Our family is very well connectd and we communicate on a daily basis!I tell them about every activity that I do! And my parents keep inspiring me!

Q: What helps you to relax?
Pablo: As I said earlier, it´s jogging. Doing physical exercises/sports is very good. Bu the side effect is, it helps me to move my limits further towards longer distances. Yes, there are pains and sacrifices, but this is okay. I love that feeling! For me “Superacion” is the key in my life, I don´t know the English word for that. Meaning constantly striving to exceed oneself. That´s my way of strengthening my willpower. The will to improve one´s playing, it never stops, so here sports is helping me.

Q:  now our final question, how problematic is the need to be online in the internet, given your daily work schedule?
Pablo: I only can say good things about the internet. I use it daily so to be able to connect to my family, my friends – even when I am far away! I need it – I must stay in contact with my loved ones. So, the internet provides the platform.  And I am a regular user. Whenever I can,  I also use the telephone capability of Skype.

Thanks for the interview, Pablo!

Michael Heinz/Kronberg Academy

Er hat in London an der berühmten Yehudin Menuhin School studiert und ist viele Jahre später als Lehrer wieder an diesen Ort zurückgekehrt. Hier traf Volker Biesenbender auf  Stephen Potts, dem heutigen Direktor unseres Studiengangs „Kronberg Academy Masters“. Stephen war damals in leitender Stellung an dieser berühmten Londoner Musikschule für Yehudi Menuhin tätig. Als Stephen Potts im letzten Jahr wieder Kontakt zu seinem alten Freund Volker aufnahm, verabredete man zunächst einen Auftritt und einen Workshop anlässlich der Geigen-Meisterkurse im Juli dieses Jahres in Kronberg.  Schwerpunkt des Workshops war das Thema „Improvisation“, für das Volker Biesenbender fast schon ein Synonym innerhalb der klassischen Musikausbildung geworden ist. Jetzt, Mitte November, sollte er noch ein zweites Mal in diesem Jahr in die Burgstadt kommen, um für 14 Junge Solisten unseres Studiengangs „Kronberg Academy Masters“ (KAM) individuelle Meisterkurse zu geben.

Volker Biesenbenders Auftritt über 2 volle Tage ( 16./17.11.) war eine große Bereicherung für unsere jungen Musiker. Er war während dieser zwei prallen Tage im “flow”, wie er uns überzeugend berichtete. Als Lehrer unterwegs zu sein, das sei für ihn selbstverständlich. Er sieht es als persönliche Verpflichtung an, das Gelernte an die nächste Generation bestmöglich weiter zu geben. Und hierher nach Kronberg zu kommen, das war eine Herausforderung allererster Güte. Und die Resonanz bei den jungen Musikern war äußerst positiv. „Das war wunderbar“, so sagten es wie aus einem Munde Christel und Hanna Lee und auch Ella van Poucke, die mit 17 Jahren die jüngste Junge Solistin in unserem Studiengang.

Bei jeder Einzel-Session (Dauer. 50 Minuten) waren stets die anderen Solisten als Zuhörer mit von der Partie. So kam eine maximale Lernsituation zustande. Und am Abend waren alle angereichert mit Gedanken und Ideen von einem Lehrer, der auch als  Straßenmusiker Erfahrungen sammeln konnte.

Am Ende des zweiten Tages zeigte Volker den Jungen Solisten und dem Kronberg Academy Team einen israelischen Dokumentar-Film über seine Musik und seinen eigenen unkonventionellen musikalischen Werdegang. Seine musikalische Ausbildung führte ihn zunächst an die Musikhochschule Tel Aviv, wo er sein Studium abschloss. Insgesamt verbrachte er 4 Jahre in Israel. Nach dem Studium befasste er sich ausgiebig mit historischer Aufführungspraxis an der Schola Cantorum Basel. Daneben gab er zahlreiche Recitals und trat bei diversen Festivals auf. Mit seinem eigenen multistilistischen Trio Avodah gibt er seit einigen Jahren Konzerte in ganz Europa. Auch das Kronberger Publikum konnte sich im Sommer diesen Jahres ein eigenes Bild von dem mitreißenden Auftritt des Trios  in der Stadthalle machen. Bemerkenswert ist noch dies: Sein großer Mentor, der weltberühmte Yehudi Menuhin, unter dessen Stabführung er noch kurz vor dessen Tod die erste Bartók-Rhapsodie einspielte, wies in vielen Interviews und Fachartikeln enthusiastisch auf Biesenbenders künstlerische Vielseitigkeit hin.

Sein Credo: Das im Innersten eines Musikers Empfundene sollte beim Vortrag nach außen gelangen, es sollte idealerweise im Augenblick des Spielens ( im „Hier und Jetzt“) aus dem Musiker herausfließen. Der Musiker müsse im flow sein, seine eigenen tiefen Empfindungen und Gefühle für die Hörer erlebbar und erfahrbar machen. Auf unsere Frage, wer ihn maßgeblich in seiner musikalischen Auffassung beeinflusst habe, antwortete er sogleich und nennt seinen langjährigen Lehrer Rami Shevelov, aus seiner Zeit in Tel Aviv.

Ein bestimmtes System oder eine Methodik habe er dabei nicht zur Hand, so erklärte er uns. Wohl aber trete er in einen Dialog mit jedem Musiker, wenn dieser ihn sein/ihr Werk vorgespielt hat. So war es auch in Kronberg mit den insgesamt 14 Jungen Solisten, die die Instrumente Violine, Viola und Cello jeweils mit Klavierbegleitung in unterschiedlichen Werken erklingen ließen.

In unserem Gespräch kurz nach Beendigung der Meisterklasse Ende letzter Woche, schilderte er uns – sichtlich erleichtert – wie die zwei „Kronberger Tage“ auf ihn gewirkt hatten und mit welchen Gedanken er heimwärts reisen würde. Jeder der 14 jungen Musiker konnte sich 50 Minuten auf sein/ihr Stück vorbereiten, um dann im Kreise der Mitstudierenden das eigene Stück vorzutragen und dann Volkers Feedback zu hören. „Das war top, top, top“,  ließ er wissen. Was er hier erlebt habe mit den jungen Musikern, „das sei vom Feinsten gewesen, so seine Worte über die Jungen Solisten und die Kronberg Academy als Ausbildungsinstitution.

Über die Jahre mit vielen Erfahrungen in Sachen Unterrichten junger Musiker bestens ausgestattet, war Volker Biesenbender nicht zurückhaltend mit seinem Lob über die Arbeit, die das Team um Stephen Potts seit nunmehr 5 Jahren leistet. Für Biesenbender war es etwas Besonderes, die créme de la créme junger Streicher unterrichten zu dürfen und so viele herausragende junge Musiker um sich zu wissen. Eine solche Dichte hätte er noch nicht erlebt. Dazu die Natürlichkeit und die spezielle Atmosphäre in den Räumen der Streitkirche, dort wo die Meisterklassen und Kurse für die Jungen Solisten abgehalten werden. All dies sei ihm sehr positiv aufgefallen. An anderer Stelle fällt das Wort vom „Hochleistungslabor“, aber hier in Kronberg sei eben das Menschliche noch sehr zu spüren. Das sei bei ihm sehr positiv angekommen.

Und die Einladung der Academy, im nächsten Jahr bei „Classic for Kids“ erneut in Kronberg aufzutreten, da habe er mit seiner Zusage nicht mehr lange zögern müssen. Für die Musikliebhaber in und um Kronberg eine prima Nachricht!

Michael Heinz