Music & Talk

»Transatlantic Music«

Lewis Kaplan, Violinist at the Juilliard School in New York, in Conversation with Louwrens Langevoort, Director of the Cologne Philharmonic.

Johann Sebastian Bach's „Chaconne“ is known to musicians as one of the most difficult pieces of music for violins. This is due to the fact that it commands every part of violin play that was known in Bach's time. Under the title, "Music, God and Numbers", Lewis Kaplan, world famous violinist and professor at the renowned Juilliard School in New York, played the "Chaconne" from Bach. He played and explained excerpts from the master work by the German composer.

The performance will be followed by a discussion between director of the Cologne Philharmonic, Louwrens Langevoort, and Kaplan on the role of music in the transatlantic dialogue and the meaning of a transatlantic exchange for music. The German-American bridge is close to his heart; he was awarded the National Medal of Merit in 2009 for his engagement in transatlantic affairs.

Musical Conclusion: Students from the School for Music and Dance Cologne present a Bach double concert for violin, cello and harpsichord.

Lewis Kaplan is a Professor for violin and chamber music at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was also once a student. The famous violinist performs worldwide, is a member in several music juries and teaches at various musical institutions including the Royal College, the Royal Academy in London, the Central Conservatory in Beijing, the Seoul Conservatory and the Seoul National University, as well as in Munich, Prague, Madrid and Israel. Kaplan is the founder of the Aeolian Chamber Players and the Bowdoin International Music Festival, where he also conducts the orchestra.