Bamberg Symphony Orchestra plays in aid of World Cultural Heritage
Vadim Repin (l.) and the Bamberg Symphony under the leadership of Jonathan Nott (r.) enraptured the audience.
Performing a benefit concert, whose proceeds were destined for Bamberg’s World Heritage Foundation, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, which was elevated to the rank of a state orchestra in 2003, demonstrated, in this singular manner, its commitment to the historic kernel of the town.
Under the leadership of the Bamberg Symphony’s chief conductor, Jonathan Nott, the Russian violinist, Vadim Repin, played two works by Peter Tchaikowsky – his violin concerto in D Major and Symphony No. 4 in F Minor. The accomplished violinist, whose exceptional international carrier began when he was 17, is held in high esteem by the international world of music for his passionate spirit, his flawless technique, his poetic artistry compounded by well-balanced interpretation skills.
The idea for this concert stemmed from the Chairman of the Brose Group, Michael Stoschek. Heading the trustee board of the World Heritage Foundation in Bamberg too, since it was founded in November 2004, he is particularly interested in the historic conservation of the town. “Bearing in mind that we do not have an abundant flow of funds at our disposal, I proposed this idea of a benefit concert to the other trustees,” said Stoschek. “We were delighted that the orchestra and chief conductor Jonathan Nott agreed so quickly,” he continued.
In his speech, Bamberg’s Lord Mayor, Andreas Stark, praised the entrepreneur’s commitment to the cathedral city. “I would like to thank Michael Stoschek for the great work and effort he has put into the World Heritage Foundation. The fact that this concert is being held at all is primarily thanks to his personal initiative and achievement.”
Guests included Bavaria’s Minister of the Interior, Günther Beckstein, who is also a trustee of Bamberg’s World Heritage Foundation and under whose patronage the benefit concert took place. In his speech, he alluded to the inimitability of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and went on to thank the musicians for donating their services that evening: “It is superb that artists are prepared to do something like this.”
Bamberg’s old town was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1993, making it one of the priceless and irreplaceable possessions of mankind. The goal of the World Heritage Foundation in Bamberg is to preserve this historic area and to promote vital cultural activity in the town. The Bamberg Symphony and all the guests have made a major contribution toward achieving this goal through this aid event, which, if Lord Mayor Andreas Starke and Michael Stoschek have their way, should become a regular feature in the concert calendar.
In his speech, Michael Stoschek stressed how important it was for him to promote the preservation and upkeep of the town’s historic kernel as well as its urban culture.
