Visions for the future

Many ensembles and artists at Beethovenfest 2023 are already thinking about a more sustainable future – for themselves, for society and for music. We asked three of them how they see the future.

»With the sustainability project #bechange, we, the Stegreif Orchestra, are embarking on a new journey: New improvisation concepts meet sustainable organisational development and low-emission tour planning. We ask ourselves how the various facets of sustainability can be artistically brought to the stage. This history of searching and experimenting continues today and has become part of the DNA of the orchestra and the team.

And that’s exactly what we want to continue!

Together with other courageous musicians, ensembles, cultural institutions and politicians, we want to try to exploit the high development potential of the unknown.

Because we are sure that it is worthwhile to work sustainably and to explore sustainability as a political issue artistically.«

For the Stegreif Orchestra:
Lea Hladka, stage assistant; Lorenz Blaumer, 
artistic director; Immanuel de Gilde, project management.

»Performing music live is the most powerful lever for change that we musicians have at our disposal. Isolation seems to be on the rise in today’s world. Live music has the power to bring people together.

With social and environmental problems everywhere, we as artists want to be socially responsible. For example, we create programmes such as the ›Four Elements‹ project, are involved in educational initiatives and seek dialogue with audiences.

Transcendent and provocative music helps society to imagine a more hopeful future when political or economic mechanisms are in crisis. We will work towards this sustainable future by drawing creative energy from the ideas of the most brilliant minds of our time.«

For Brooklyn Rider:
Nicholas Cords, viola

»The Kammerakademie Potsdam sees the planetary ecological crisis as the central challenge of our century – and as an opportunity! As Potsdam’s cultural ambassadors, we want to inspire and motivate with music. We want to go beyond the ecological aspects of sustainability: We want to redefine orchestral excellence and think together about environmental, social and economic goals.

It’s about pay equity, diversity and plurality, audience participation and participation within the cultural institutions themselves, and equality as a matter of course. Local engagement is important to us and we develop our programme from a global perspective. We organise our trips with a sense of proportion and a down-to-earth approach, and continually review our use of resources. To this end, we engage in dialogue with stakeholders from the music and cultural sectors, as well as from society, foundations and politics. And, of course, with the scientific community – especially our partners at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam.

We want to be part of a diverse and thriving orchestral landscape that looks to the future with responsibility and solidarity.«