Category: Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard”

Concert Series

Exilarte anniversary concert in New York at the Center for Jewish History | March 1, 2026

To mark the anniversary of the exile in 2026, a concert featuring members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist David Hausknecht will be held in cooperation with the Center for Jewish History, the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, the Leo Baeck Institute, and the Austrian Cultural Forum New York, featuring works by Gustav Mahler, Erwin Schulhoff, and Walter Bricht.
The concert is supported by Alumni Relations – Office of the Rector of the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

Welcome remarks by Rector Ulrike Sych and Michael Leavitt.

Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
15 West 16th Street, NYC
Located in the Center for Jewish History

Free admission! / Register here.

Program:

Gustav Mahler
Piano Quartet in A minor (1876)
I. Not too fast

Erwin Schulhoff
String Quartet No. 2 (1925)

Walter Bricht
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A minor, Op. 17 (1929)
— Arrangement for piano quintet (1952)
I. Allegro molto moderato
II. Allegretto con moto
III. Introduction, theme, and variations

Moderator:

Gerold Gruber, founder of exil.arte and director of the Exilarte Center at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

Interpreters:

Lucas Stratmann, violin (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Martin Klimek, violin (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Robert Bauerstatter, viola (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Stefan Gartmayer, cello (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
David Hausknecht, piano (mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna / Exilarte Center)

Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard” | January 27th, 2026 | Alma Rosé

Alma Rosé came from a well-known Austrian family of musicians and gained fame as a violinist. Her career was abruptly ended in 1938 by Austria’s annexation to Nazi Germany. As conductor of the women’s orchestra in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp, she was able to save the lives of numerous musicians before she herself died in Auschwitz in 1944.

In memory of the life and work of Alma Rosé (Vienna 1906 / Auschwitz 1944), students and lecturers from the Alma Rosé Institute for String Instruments, Guitar, and Harp in Music Education will perform works by Hans Gál, Gideon Klein, Erwin Schulhoff, and others.

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m

Palais Ehrbar – Kleiner Ehrbar Saal
Mühlgasse 28
1040 Vienna

Admission free! / Registration here.

Programm:

Gideon Klein (1919 – 1945)
Streichtrio (Theresienstadt 1944) Gideon Klein Trio Wien

Hiroyo Watanabe, Violine
Johanna Hechwartner, Viola
Matthäus Pescoller, Violoncello

Viktor Ullmann (1898 – 1944)
Streichquartett Nr.3, op. 46 (Theresienstadt 1943)Alma Rosé Quartett

Felix Aigner Violine
Pia Onuska, Violine
Marie Alma Mala Schmidt, Viola
Ana Šincek, Violoncello

Hans Gál (1890 – 1987)
aus: 5 Intermezzi für Streichquartett op.10 (1914) Alma Rosé Quartett

Felix Aigner Violine
Pia Onuska, Violine
Marie Alma Mala Schmidt, Viola
Ana Šincek, Violoncello

Erwin Schulhoff (1894 – 1942)
Fünf Stücke für Streichquartett WV 68 (1923) Noema Quartett

Hiroyo Watanabe, Violine
Dominik Fischer, Violine
Elisabeth Mair, Viola
Matthäus Pescoller, Violoncello

Bios:

Alma Rosé Quartett

Das Wiener Quartett besteht in der heutigen Konstellation seit Herbst 2022. Neben Werken von Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Robert Schumann und Antonin Dvorak, umfasst das junge Ensemble ein Repertoire an Stücken verfolgter KomponistInnen in der NS-Zeit, sowie zeitgenössischer Musik, unter anderem Werke von Hans Gál, Szymon Laks, Henriëtte Bosmans und Viktor Ullmann. Inspiriert von der kammermusikalischen Tätigkeit Alma Rosés möchte das junge Ensemble an die Geigerin erinnern. Alma Rosé ist dem Quartett Inspiration und Vorbild – als großartige Musikerin und als mutige und willensstarke Frau. Die Musik ihrer Zeit begeistert und berührt gleichzeitig auf besondere Weise. Diese Gefühle möchten die Musiker:innen mit ihrem Publikum teilen. 

Noema Quartett

Das Noema Quartett wurde im Sommer 2025 gegründet. Ein Schwerpunkt des Ensembles liegt auf der Musik des 20. Jahrhunderts, insbesondere auf Werken vertriebener und vergessener Komponist:innen. Daneben widmet sich das Quartett dem klassischen Repertoire auf historischen Instrumenten. Auftritte führten das Ensemble unter anderem in das „Haus der Geschichte“, Museum in Wien.

Gideon Klein Trio Wien

Das Gideon Klein Trio Wien (Streichtrio) beschäftigt sich musikalisch als Schwerpunkt mit “Entarteter Musik” und spielte bereits beim Festakt zur offiziellen Benennung der Alma-Rosé-Stiege in Salzburg sowie beim Konzert „In Erinnerung an Alma Rosé“ im Haus der Geschichte Österreich – Museum Wien. Alle drei Musikerinnen studieren am Alma Rosé Institut der Universität für Musik und der Wisscenschaft Wien – mdw.

Moderator:

David Frühwirth (Director, Alma Rosé Institute for String Instruments, Guitar, and Harp in Music Education)

Echo of the Unheard: INVISIBLE | 13.03.2026 | Musikverein

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the exil.arte association and the 10th anniversary of the mdw’s Exilarte Research Center, this concert honors the voices of those composers, performers, music researchers, and theater artists who were considered “degenerate” during the Third Reich and whose works have often been forgotten. For two decades, the Exilarte Center has served as a contact point and interface for the reception, research, preservation, and presentation of this important cultural heritage.

The evening will focus on works by exiled composers, readings by Cornelius Obonya, and solo and chamber music performances by artists who have been associated with Exilarte for many years. The premiere of Yury Revich’s composition INVISIBLE will provide a contemporary reflection on the theme of invisibility and silencing of exiled artists.

Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 07:30 pm

Musikverein Gläserner Saal / Magna Auditorium
Musikvereinsplatz 1
1010 Vienna

Tickets und further information can be found here.

Performers:

Cornelius Obonya, reading
Josipa Bainac, mezzo-soprano
Yury Revich, violin
Ulrike Anton, flute
Elisabeth Plank, harp
David Hausknecht, piano

ensemble LUX
Louise Chisson, violin
Marie Radauer-Plank, violin
Nora Romanoff-Schwarzberg, viola
Maria Kronick-Achleitner, violoncello

Program:

André Singer

Requiem for the Homeless
Klaviertrio, op. 32

Michael Graubart

Duets and Aria für Flöte solo

Walter Arlen

Arbeit macht frei. Für Klavier und Metronom
Es geht wohl anders

– intermission –

Walter Susskind

Rechenschaft über uns

Erich Zeisl

Komm, süßer Tod
Arrowhead. Trio für Flöte, Viola und Harfe

Hans Gál

Drei Prinzessinnen, op. 33/4
Abend auf dem Fluss, op. 33/5

Wilhelm Grosz

Jazzband. Für Violine und Klavier

Yury Revich

INVISIBLE (Uraufführung)

End of show approx. at 09:30 pm

Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard” | December 18th, 2025 | Shira Karmon & Paul Gulda

Soprano Shira Karmon and pianist Paul Gulda presented songs from their joint album “Spirit of Hope” (Gramola, 2021) as well as other works composed in exile from the Exilarte archive. The programme included songs by Julius Bürger, Wilhelm Grosz, Szymon Laks, Viktor Ullmann and Kurt Weill.

The Israeli soprano has made guest appearances at the Komische Oper Berlin, the Opéra national du Rhin, the Schwetzinger Festspiele, Wien Modern and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, among others. In addition to her classical repertoire, she is deeply committed to Jewish music and performs internationally with programmes about exile and remembrance. Her albums Spirit of Hope, Little Cakewalk and Bei mir bistu sheyn (Gramola) have won numerous awards. Karmon is a prize winner of the 20th and 21st Century Song Competition organised by the Cultural Committee of German Business.

The Viennese pianist, composer and teacher Paul Gulda has been performing internationally as a soloist, chamber musician and improviser since the 1980s. He has worked with artists such as Zubin Mehta, Yehudi Menuhin, Martha Argerich and the Hagen Quartet. In addition to the classical repertoire, he is also involved in projects promoting cultural dialogue and Jewish musical tradition. Numerous CD recordings, most recently ‘Spirit of Hope’ (Gramola, 2021) and ‘Arpeggione’ (cpo, 2022). Gulda teaches at the Friedrich Gulda School of Music in Vienna.

Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m

Palais Ehrbar – Kleiner Ehrbar Saal
Mühlgasse 28
1040 Vienna

Contributors:

Shira Karmon, soprano | Paul Gulda, piano

Program:

Songs by Julius Bürger, Wilhelm Grosz, Szymon Laks, Viktor Ullmann and Kurt Weill

Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard” | March 25th, 2026 | The Shoah Songbook

The Shoah Songbook is an ongoing project by the Likht Ensemble that researches and performs music from the ghettos of World War II. The works revolve around themes such as spring, dreams, longing, and resistance, combining lyrical beauty with subtle irony and deeply moving truth. The program is complemented by scholarly lectures by Spencer Kryzenowski and Jaclyn Grossman on vocal music from the estates of the Exile Art Center and on the work of exile composers in Canada.

The project is supported by the Canada Council for the Art.

Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m

Palais Ehrbar – Kleiner Ehrbar Saal
Mühlgasse 28
1040 Vienna

Admission free! / Registration here.

Program:

Musical works from the archives of the Exilarte Center:
Walter Arlen, Wilhelm Grosz, Erich Zeisl, Hans Winterberg, Walter Bricht, and works by Julius Schloss

Performers:

Jaclyn Grossman – soprano | Spencer Kryzenowski – piano

Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard” | October 15th, 2025 | works by Hans Winterberg

A concert evening dedicated to the chamber music works of the composer Hans Winterberg (1901-1991). Under the title “Echo of the Unheard”, a selection of his works was interpreted by students of the mdw.

Born in Prague, Winterberg’s artistic career was severely impaired by persecution, deportation and exile. As a Jewish composer, he survived Theresienstadt and emigrated to Germany in 1947, where he had to re-establish himself as a musician under difficult circumstances. It was only decades after his death that a rediscovery of his work began – initiated by his grandson Peter Kreitmeir and supported by the Exilarte Center of the mdw in collaboration with the music publisher Boosey & Hawkes.

Katja Kaiser, archivist at the Exilarte Center, curated the program and led through the evening.

Peter Kreitmeir, grandson of Hans Winterberg, was honored by the team at the mdw’s Exile Art Center for his outstanding achievements!

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m

Palais Ehrbar – Kleiner Ehrbar Saal
Mühlgasse 28
1040 Vienna

Contributors:

Arabella Fenyves, soprano | Cuore Piano Trio | Eric Ziegelbauer, trumpet

Program:

Trio for violin, cello, and piano (1950)
Suite for trumpet and piano (1945)
Suite for trumpet and piano (1944)
Sudeten Suite for violin, cello, and piano (1963/64)
„Dort und Hier“ for soprano, violin, cello, and piano (1937)

Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard” | November 13th, 2025 | works by Édouard Van Cleeff

As part of this recital, students from the renowned Guildhall School of Music, under the direction of pianist Marc Verter, presented the song oeuvre of the exiled composer Édouard Van Cleeff.

The concert was part of a cooperative project between the Guildhall School and the mdw’s Exilarte Center with the aim of creating the first scholarly edition of his songs and making his music accessible to a new audience in both London and Vienna.

Although Van Cleeff celebrated successes in the 1930s – including the premiere and radio broadcast of his opera “Pancho” in Nice – little is known about his life today. He was expelled from Nice in 1943 and deported to French and later German camps. Thanks to the initiative of the American pianist Joy Schreier and the support of Renée Fleming, Van Cleeff’s musical legacy finally reached the Exilarte Center.

Thursday, November 13th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m

Palais Ehrbar – Kleiner Ehrbar Saal
Mühlgasse 28
1040 Vienna

Contributors:

Marc Verter and students of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama London: Maud Niklas, soprano | Alexandre Allix, tenor | Mark Zang, piano | Sooyeon Baik, piano

Program:

Musical works by Édouard Rosario Van Cleef from the archive of the mdw’s Exilarte Center

Moderation:

Marc Verter, pianist, Guildhall School of Music & Drama London

Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard” | May 22, 2025 | Trios by Walter Bricht

The Trio Lumina III ensemble, founded in Vienna, presented a special chamber music program with works by Walter Brich. Bricht’s trios, which he composed specifically for flute, cello and piano, combine late romantic expressiveness with a fine chamber music structure and allow the three instruments to sound in lively exchange. Trio Lumina III has set itself the goal of combining the individual timbres of their instruments in homogeneous chamber music and also rediscovering and presenting the partially forgotten repertoire for this line-up.

Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m

Palais Ehrbar – Kleiner Ehrbar Saal
Mühlgasse 28
1040 Vienna

Admission free! / Registration here.

Contributors:

Trio Lumina III 

Aidana Madyar, flute

Sabine Libera, cello

Anastasija Richter, piano

Program:

Works by Walter Bricht

Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard” | April 9, 2025 | Wilhelm Grosz and Walter Würzburger

Violinist Eva Lucia Schmölzer and pianist Keiko Kamada presented works for violin and piano by Wilhelm Grosz and Walter Würzburger. While Grosz’s work ranged from late romantic sonority to jazzy elements, Würzburger developed his own musical language that combines expressive harmony with precise form. 

Thursday, April 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m

Palais Ehrbar – Kleiner Ehrbar Saal
Mühlgasse 28
1040 Vienna

Admission free! / Registration here.

Contributors:

Eva Lucia Schmölzer, violin

Keiko Kamada, piano

Program:

Works by Wilhelm Grosz, Walter Würzburger and Zoran Rosendahl

Moderation:

Gerold Gruber, founder of exil.arte and head of the Exilarte Center

“Are there Miracles? There are only Miracles” I Egon Lustgarten I Concert Series ” Echo of the Unheard” | 10 December, 2024

© Exilarte

A musical – literary portrait: a reading from Egon Lustgarten’s captivating texts, which come from his letters, diaries and writings, accompanied by his music; Songs, arias, piano pieces and chamber music works. 

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 7:00 p.m

Palais Ehrbar – Kleiner Ehrbar Saal
Mühlgasse 28
A-1040 Vienna

Admission free! / Registration here.

Contributors:
Gregory von Leitis, reading
Michael Lahr from Leitis, reading 
Theresa Krügl, soprano
Xiao Bai, baritone
Jelena Pesic, piano
Yumeko Kawakami, piano

Program:
Works by Egon Lustgarten

Moderation:
Gerold Gruber, founder of exil.arte and head of the Exilarte Center of the mdw