PERSONAL NOTE

Personal Note is a new concert series curated by students of the Barenboim-Said Akademie. The series was conceived by the participants of the Akademie’s Concert Curation course, a program designed to empower young musicians to think beyond performance. In today’s rapidly evolving cultural landscape, classical music faces the challenge of remaining relevant while maintaining its traditions. Through this course, led by Prof. Yael Kareth, students have the opportunity to delve into the essence of the concert experience, exploring its social, sensory, and cultural dimensions. By asking questions such as, “What story does this music tell?” and “Who is it for?”, the course encourages students to reimagine the concert model and craft events that are meaningful, engaging, and accessible. The culmination of their work is Personal Note, a series of intimate performances that reflect their creativity and intellectual exploration, as well as their unique musicianship.

Concert III: Heartbeat

At the core of music lies rhythm—the invisible pulse that drives a piece forward, shapes its character, and unites performers and listeners alike. Heartbeat, the third concert in the Personal Note series explores rhythm as both a physical and metaphorical force in music. How does time manifest differently across styles and composers? How do musicians instinctively synchronize, and should they always follow the same beat? How do personal temperament and even an individual’s own heartbeat influence interpretation? Through a diverse selection of works, the program delves into these questions, tracing the many ways in which rhythm and time shape musical expression and performance, and how this musical element connects musicians and listeners through an instinctive, primal universal language.