“There is no freedom without mutual understanding” (Albert Camus)
The Neuburg Summer Academy sets a clear signal for intercultural communication. Particularly at the present time, mutual understanding is especially needed since the comprehension of the cultural other is a condition for taking global responsibility.
Last year’s summer academy has shown a flexibility which fulfilled this goal in a more or less traditional way despite the most difficult conditions. In a world being at its limit of losing any empathy it is even more important that arts are not restricted but that we counteract this apocalyptical phenomenon by some good networking and an open mind. I am particularly concerned to inspire the participants to take responsibility through their artistic actions. Furthermore, they should be encouraged to gain skills for interdisciplinary communication and spontaneous reaction by collaborating with participants and lecturers from other courses.
Music is a universal medium which helps to navigate worldwide. Besides, music is a universal language which addresses all ethnicities and ages in all kind of situations and times. Due to its adaptability, music is subject to constant change which is the only constant.
In the field of classic we will expand knowledge and understanding in the respective course area. And again, there will be space for interdisciplinary integration. Everything is possible and imaginable. There are no limits for ideas. With this in mind, I wish all of us enough firmness and freedom in order that the Neuburg Summer Academy with its undeniably academic ambition will also become a forum for a vivid and creative interacting.
Prof. Alexander Suleimann
Artistic director of classic
The internationally renowned pianist Irma Issakadze was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, and comes from one of the most important musical families of the former Soviet Union. In Germany she studied with Ludwig Hoffmann and Vladimir Krainev and began her professional career at the age of 14. The outstanding artistic personality of the pianist has always caused great attention on international stages. Her CD recordings of the Goldberg Variations and the 6 Partitas by J. S. Bach have been hailed by the trade press as milestones in the history of interpretation and are among the most important recordings of these works. The recently recorded CD “Days go By” contains the complete work for cello and piano by the Georgian composer Vaja Azarashvili together with Alexander Suleiman and was released in 2018 on the NAXOS label.
The course is aimed at pianists of all ages, professional musicians, aspiring pianists, gifted children and young people as well as dedicated music lovers.