Noack Konzert Returns with “Song & Dance”
PRESS RELEASE
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NOACK Bildgießerei and Althafen Foundation present violinist Jacques Forestier and pianist Boris Kusnezow in “Song and Dance”
After a one-year hiatus, the Noack Konzert returns with “Song and Dance”, presented by the Hermann Noack Art Foundry in collaboration with the Althafen Foundation. The performance by violinist Jacques Forestier and pianist Boris Kusnezow will take place inside the Foundry itself — surrounded by sculptures, casting molds, and works still in progress. This extraordinary setting transforms the working foundry into a living stage where music and sculpture meet in a powerful dialogue of creation.
Launched in 2021, the Noack Konzert series was one of the Althafen Foundation’s earliest initiatives to bridge fine art and music. Previous performances by Verita Baroque, Dominic Wagner, and the Tonhain Kollektiv established it as a hallmark of Berlin’s interdisciplinary cultural life. Its revival marks a new chapter in Althafen’s mission to create encounters where artistic disciplines inspire one another.
© Hans Dieter-Brand
The evening begins with a viewing of the exhibition From the Collection – Werke aus der Sammlung Noack aus den Jahren 1951–2025, which presents works from the Noack family’s collection spanning more than seven decades — from postwar modernism to the present — including pieces by Kenneth Armitage, Georg Baselitz, Anna and Ninel Bogouchevskaia, Rainer Fetting, Karl Horst Hödicke, Henry Moore, and others. The concert will then follow amid the artistic environment of the Foundry, where Forestier and Kusnezow will perform surrounded by bronze figures and sculptural works still being crafted. Their program unites the rhythmic vitality and lyricism of Bach, Brahms, Bartók,and Gershwin — a musical counterpart to the textures, lines, and forms of the space itself. Guests will conclude the night with an intimate three-course dinner curated by Bar Brass, where the artists will join the audience for conversation.
“For over a century, the Noack Foundry has been a place where artistic ideas are forged into form,”says Hermann Noack, director of the Art Foundry. “Hearing live music within these walls — surrounded by sculptures and molten bronze — reconnects us with the creative energy that unites all art. It is this living dialogue between material and sound that we celebrate together with Althafen.”
At the center of this encounter stand two exceptional musicians. Jacques Forestier, just 19, has become one of the most captivating violinists of his generation. Winner of the First, Laureate, and Audience Prizes at the 2024 Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition, and named by CBC Music among the “Top 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30,” he has already performed with the Edmonton Symphony, NDR Radiophilharmonie, and Munich Chamber Orchestra. His performances are noted for their emotional intensity and expressive depth.
© Helge Krueckeberg
He is joined by Boris Kusnezow, pianist and professor of chamber music at the University of Music and Theatre Munich, whose performances have earned acclaim for their clarity, warmth, and collaborative brilliance. His recordings have received nominations for both the Opus Klassik and the German Record Critics’ Award. Together, the duo embodies a partnership of vibrant contrasts and refined unity — qualities they will also bring to their new joint album, to be recorded the following day.
“This concert reaffirms what the Althafen Foundation stands for,” says Mark Prihodko, Artistic Director of the Foundation. “It’s about giving extraordinary young musicians like Jacques and Boris a stage that challenges and inspires them — and about letting audiences experience their artistry in a place where creation, craftsmanship, and performance come together.”
The concert is presented in cooperation with Zukunfts.music, an initiative founded by Sonia Simmenauer that mentors and guides young musicians as they develop long-term artistic vision and professional self-determination. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to cultivating excellence and sustainability in the next generation of classical artists.
About the Artists
Jacques Forestier · Violin
At 19 years old, Jacques Forestier has already emerged as one of the most promising violinists of his generation. A laureate of numerous international competitions, his playing is celebrated for its expressive depth and striking maturity. Forestier performs regularly on Europe’s leading stages, shaping a distinctive voice that blends virtuosity with profound emotional insight.
Boris Kusnezow · Piano
Praised for his versatility and musical refinement, Boris Kusnezow is one of Germany’s most sought-after pianists, admired as both soloist and chamber musician. His performances have taken him to major international halls and festivals. A passionate mentor to young talent, he holds a professorship at the University of Music and Theatre Munich.
About the Partners
Hermann Noack Art Foundry & Gallery
Founded in 1897, the Hermann Noack Art Foundry is one of Germany’s most prestigious centers of artistic craftsmanship. Sculptures and monuments cast here continue to shape Berlin’s cityscape. Today, the Foundry remains a living workshop — a place where artistic creation and technical mastery converge, and where, for one night, music joins the art of sculpture.
Zukunfts.music
Created by impresario Sonia Simmenauer, Zukunfts.music mentors young musicians as they develop their artistic identity and professional resilience. The initiative fosters sustainable career paths through dialogue, guidance, and the transmission of experience between generations of artists.
Althafen Foundation
Based in Berlin, the Althafen Foundation empowers talent and innovation in the arts through mentorship, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary dialogue. Its programs provide platforms for emerging artists to develop sustainable careers and foster global cultural exchange.