Studying at the HMTMH

In 2018, former student and violinist Cosima Soulez Larivière took third place at the prestigious Joseph Joachim Violin Competition in Hanover. In this interview, the young woman, who has French and Dutch roots, talks about her education at one of Germany’s top universities for the arts and sciences.

How did you get into the violin?
I was listening to music even when I was very young. I started learning the instrument using the Suzuki Method. This method offers a very enjoyable and wonderful approach to making music, which was both encouraging and motivating. My brother played, too. It was special to be able to share this passion while growing up.

What do you find special about your instrument?
To me, the violin is like a voice from another world, with infinite colors and a repertoire that is incredibly diverse. I’m very happy to be able to play it.

Why did you choose the HMTMH?
I came to Hannover because of my teacher, Professor Wegrzyn. We had met him in Italy. His teaching continues to inspire me. The university is also well-known for its other music departments. For example, a pianist friend of mine from the Yehudi Menuhin School is also studying in Hanover. Ultimately, the university brings together a diverse group of passionate artists.

What does the university offer you that other universities don’t?
The university not only has a fantastic faculty of professors, but also fosters a community of like-minded individuals who are all passionate about what they do, whether it’s acting, composing, or conducting. We’re privileged to have such wonderful conditions and to live in a city that’s so peaceful and perfectly suited to our lifestyle. The audience is also very supportive of the students. We really appreciate that.

Was there a special moment for you and your music (perhaps in Hanover)?
In 2018, I experienced a wonderful moment during the gala concert of the Joachim Violin Competition when I received the prize for the best performance of a contemporary commissioned work. I had the opportunity to perform again at the closing concert. Together with my professor, we decided to plunge the hall into darkness and shine only a single spotlight on the stage. Performing this quiet piece, “Hauch” by Rebecca Saunders, in such a serene atmosphere was truly special. Time stood still in that moment.

What are your plans for the future?
Many concerts are planned for the coming year, ranging from classical concerts to modern, less frequently performed works (which will hopefully change!) in Germany as well as in Denmark, Hungary, and the Czech Republic

.* Live Music Now e.V.

This is what a violin is made of

With a single note, a violinist can evoke a cascade of emotions in his or her audience. This is made possible in part by the instrument’s unique construction.

© MADSACK Media Group

Profile
Cosima Soulez Larivière, violinist

• Born in Paris in 1996, with French and Dutch roots.
• Exceptional musical talent: At the age of eight, Cosima Soulez Larivière was accepted into the renowned Yehudi Menuhin School of Music in England. She has already won numerous awards, the first of which she received at the age of nine. She has performed as a soloist with orchestras on several occasions.
• Currently pursuing a master's degree at HMTMH

Igor Levit

Musical talents are nurtured in Hanover by the best teachers. One of them is Igor Levit. The *New York Times* described him as one of the “most significant artists of his generation,” while the *Süddeutsche Zeitung* called him a “stroke of luck” for today’s concert scene. Born in Nizhny Novgorod in 1987, Levit moved to Germany with his family at the age of eight. He completed his piano studies at the University of Music, Drama, and Media in Hanover with the highest score in the institution’s history. As the youngest participant, Levit won not only the silver medal but also the special prize for chamber music, the audience prize, and the special prize for the best performance of the required contemporary piece at the 2005 International Arthur Rubinstein Competition in Tel Aviv. In the spring of 2019, he was appointed professor of piano at his alma mater, the University of Music, Drama and Media in Hanover.

A recording of his house concert at Bellevue Palace during the COVID-19 lockdown: Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata, Op. 53.

© MADSACK Media Group

© MADSACK Media Group

© MADSACK Media Group

© MADSACK Media Group