Culture policy - Anne-Sophie Mutter: 'Culture in Bavaria is weakening'
According to star violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, the culture in Bavaria is not in a good state. "Culture in Bavaria is faltering," the 61-year-old told the German Press Agency and recommended the state government to look beyond their own borders: "It would be productive to look at other regions in Germany, for example Essen's Philharmonie, instead of just focusing on Nuremberg."
The background of her criticism is mainly the back and forth about a new concert hall for Munich. After Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) missed the opportunity to approve the project, which could have become a billion-dollar project, the hall is now being planned anew, approximately at half the previously estimated 1.3 billion euros cost and scheduled to be completed in 2036.
"A suitable headline for this would be: late, cheap, bleak," said Mutter to the dpa. "In summary, one can only say: too late, too little. I don't believe that what hasn't been achieved in the last 40 years will really become a reality in 12 years. It's sad for Munich and for the Munich metropolitan area and for Germany."
"It's a tragedy"
Mutter had long advocated for the concert hall. When she moved to Munich in 1989, the discussion began for her. "What's wrong with creating a meeting place where you can just have fun? Munich has completely missed that," she criticized. "I feel the way this is being handled is cold and apathetic. It's a tragedy that they've let it get this far in the sandbox. What this concert hall in Munich comes down to, one can simply sum up as a funeral march."
It's especially important to not neglect culture in times of crisis, emphasized Mutter. "We're pouring an insane amount of money into armament and we need to create a counterbalance by showing that it's not just about armament, but also about encounter," she said. "We need to experience more things together: off the couch, right into the mix. Talk, celebrate, music listen. Because we're not as far away from each other as it sometimes seems and it's important to set a sign for that and create a space."
"I love an audience that isn't shy"
This weekend, Mutter will perform with the Munich Philharmonics and their new chief conductor Lahav Shani at the Open-Air event "Classic at Odeonsplatz." On Saturday, she will present film music by John Williams. Already on Friday, the Bavarian Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra with its chief conductor Simon Rattle will play excerpts from Richard Wagner's "Walküre" and Johannes Brahms on the Odeonsplatz.
"The Odeonsplatz appeals to me because we have a wonderful new conductor there and it's kind of his debut concert. Plus, open-air events have always broken through the traditional concert audience. There's a much more diverse audience there," said Mutter.
"I love an audience that isn't shy, even if they applaud at the wrong time – after a sentence for example and that dares to make room for their joy and give a voice, because I know how much the artists also enjoy that. The audience is in a very positive party mood. I value this joyful openness."
"Classical music simply doesn't exist for many"
Overall, it's important to break down the fear of classical music, emphasized the violinist: "I believe the difficulty classical music has is rooted in our lack of familiarity with it. It's simply foreign to most of us. For many, classical music doesn't exist."
"For forty years she has been horrified that one always eagerly grabs a red pencil for art and music, and there are glaring errors in the educational system. Meanwhile, it's all about the engagement of individuals, and that also has an impact on the musical youth.
"We have incredibly many young artists from the Far East in my foundation: South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan. In addition, there are a few from Eastern Europe - and one or two German-speaking ones", mother said. "Most of the young artists come from countries where European culture still plays a prominent role - and those are not European countries".
- Anne-Sophie Mutter suggested that Bavaria's state government should look beyond its borders for inspiration, specifically mentioning Essen's Philharmonie.
- The controversy surrounding a new concert hall in Munich has been a major point of criticism for Mutter, who believes the project's delay and reduction in cost will make it impossible to achieve its original goals.
- Mutter expressed her disappointment in the state government's handling of the concert hall project, calling it "cold and apathetic," and suggesting that it's a tragedy for both Munich and Germany.
- Mutter, who has long advocated for the concert hall, emphasized the importance of not neglecting culture during times of crisis, and suggested that investing in cultural experiences can help bring people together.
- In an interview with the German Press Agency, Mutter criticized the government's focus on military spending and suggested that a balance could be achieved by investing in cultural experiences.
- Mutter will perform with the Munich Philharmonics and new chief conductor Lahav Shani at an Open-Air event in Munich this weekend, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to diverse audiences and creating more opportunities for people to experience classical music.
