Open the east window

In November 2016, this project continued with a master class and a benefit concert at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). Previous events include the concerts in Bern and Zurich in November 2012, when highly talented children from Georgia aged between nine and sixteen delighted the audience. The most recent concert featured a selection of lecturers and students from the universities in Tbilisi and Zurich.

The event took place as part of the cultural exchange between the two countries. The ZHdK has been accepting students from Georgia on various courses for 15 years now - ranging from preliminary studies to Bachelor's and Master's degrees and soloist diplomas. The exchange, which also makes it possible to compare the promotion of talented students in both countries, is under the patronage of the Vivace association, which was founded in 2009 by Georgian pianist Tamara Kordzadze, who works in Switzerland.

Thanks to a scholarship from the Lyra Foundation, the pianist came to Zurich to study with Konstantin Scherbakov, where she completed her training with a soloist diploma. Master classes led her to Rudolf Buchbinder, among others, who now forms the illustrious patronage committee of the Vivace Association alongside Daniel Fueter, Peter Stamm and Manana Doijashwili from Georgia.

Thanks to Kordzadze's efforts, Vivace has been able to support a total of 25 projects and 70 students from Georgia with the help of foundations, benefit concerts and donations since it was founded. "Due to the unstable political development and the decline in financial support in Georgia, it is difficult or impossible for many young talents to count on support in their education and musical careers," she explains.

Among the lecturers involved in the project in Zurich was the first solo cellist of the Tonhalle Orchestra and lecturer at the university, Thomas Grossenbacher, who, when asked about the reasons for his involvement, said: "I think it's important to open the eastern window in our western ivory tower. We can see that although a lot of inspiration comes from there, there are also material concerns that we can at least alleviate a little with this event."

In fact, it is not only the financial aspect that is important in From the Alps to the Caucasus artistic inspiration and mutual exchange are also important. In June 2015, two international benefit concerts were held in Tbilisi on the initiative of Vivace, in which four young Swiss musicians also took part and were able to gain experience on the concert platform. In the fall, master classes and workshops were then held with ZHdK lecturers at the Georgian capital's State Conservatory.

The high standard of playing was evident from the program of the Zurich concert: Works by Prokofiev, Ysaÿe, Dvořák, Widor, Milstein, Beethoven, Martinů and Scriabin were performed. In addition to students, professional musicians Liana Isakadze (violin), Thomas Grossenbacher (cello), Tamara Kordzadze (piano) and Fabio Di Càsola (clarinet) also took part. The latter explains how he came to be involved in this project for Georgia: "Perhaps my very vocal, not so aggressive way of playing was the decisive factor in Tamara Kordzadze asking me if I wanted to take part." He spontaneously agreed. "I realize that I'm getting older and am more receptive to projects like this charity concert. Especially when I compare the situation in the West with that in Georgia, I am grateful that I was able to complete my education here and I would therefore like to pass something on to the young people of Georgia."

As in Tbilisi, musicians from both countries were also involved in Zurich and the question naturally arises as to what this exchange with a different cultural and musical circle means in educational terms: "The students learn," says Thomas Grossenbacher, "to answer artistic questions in a new, perhaps previously unknown way. This exchange is invigorating and inspiring for them."

The organizer Tamara Kordzadze's conclusion is almost enthusiastic: "Our masterclass was very well received by the students. The exchange was and is enormously appreciated by the musicians and greatly promotes their artistic development. The 70-year-old Liana Isakadze inspired the students with her extremely spirited manner and her precise explanations and feedback. The benefit concert attracted many people interested in music. The great performances of the musicians in the acoustically excellent concert hall were rewarded by the audience with a standing ovation at the end."