Antje Weithaas
Born in:
Guben
Current centre of life:
Potsdam
Instrument:
Violin
Second, third or even fourth instrument:
Amateur piano and enough guitar for campfire evenings
My career aspiration as a child:
Musician or study of mathematics
This was the profession my parents envisioned for me:
Probably also musician
Works or concert experiences that shaped me:
As a child, mainly operas at the Cottbus Theatre, from my special school years in Dresden the concerts of the Dresden Staatskapelle with Herbert Blomstedt. I can’t commit myself to individual works. Everything seemed fascinating to me at the time. If I have to choose, it’s the Brahms symphonies, especially Nos. 3 and 4.
Work with the greatest music-making pleasure (and why?):
Every work I play next, otherwise it wouldn’t feel alive and spontaneous.
I would like a work for my instrument by this composer (and why?):
Not at all easy. The violin has been wonderfully considered by almost all musical geniuses. Gustav Mahler: His abysmally melancholic and deeply human language always touches me in a very special way. Among the contemporary composers Olga Neuwirth. For me, one of the most exciting and innovative composers at the moment.
I would get up in the middle of the night for that:
If she were still alive, it would be for a live concert or opera with Maria Callas.
Special / curious own concert experience:
During the Kodaly Duo at my last concert at the festival in Kuhmo, my bow slid across the stage after the last note. It survived without any serious damage.
My most valuable tip for the next generation of musicians:
Never bend, always remain authentic, don’t lose humility towards the music and only reveal as much of yourself on social media as absolutely necessary. Touching interpretations can only come about through doubt. My favourite phrase by Johannes Kepler: “Only those who doubt can be sure.
That's what I wish for the future of the classical music scene:
Courage, innovation and quality awareness from all those involved and the hope that the organisers will not lose sight of the youth despite financial constraints. From our politicians the understanding that culture is system-relevant for a society and that democracy can only function with culturally educated people.
That's what I associate with Leipzig as a city of music:
Again and again, the inner amazement at the wealth of intellectual greats who have shaped this city culturally and the joy that today’s Leipzig is still one of the liveliest cultural cities.