Almost 20 new works, almost 60 participants - the Darmstadt Miniatures Vol. 2 opened the neue.tonkunst.darmstadt season yesterday. An evening full of small forms, big ideas and lively encounters. The Wilhelm-Petersen-Saal played host to miniatures lasting just a few minutes, which could hardly have been more varied - composed by children, young people, students and teachers, and almost all written especially for the occasion.
Particularly eye- and ear-catching: the creative ideas of the younger musicians were in no way inferior to those of the "grown-ups". From improvised beginnings to sophisticated experiments, from poetic soundscapes to humorous gestures, there was an arc that impressively demonstrated how inspiring cross-generational collaboration can be. Between the pieces, the music students also used small, wonderfully absurd theatrical scenes - miniatures in a miniature concert that livened up the programme and playfully linked the transitions.
And not only in the programmes, but also on the stage itself, all positions were represented: Teachers, pupils and students made music together, creating a picture of living collaboration.
Many thanks go to Jadwiga Frej, who as head of the composition class for children and young people was in charge of the artistic coordination. We would also like to thank all those involved on and behind the stage who made this diversity possible - and the Förderverein, which sponsored the concert with drinks and financial support.
One thing became clear: many very individual characters came together here - but they didn't play, compose and teach as lone warriors, but as one big team.
The miniatures are not a side note, but a concentrated look into the workshop of tomorrow - and at the same time a signal: this cooperation between teaching, the promotion of young talent and artistic practice is to be further intensified.
