It isn't the prestigious title. It never was for me. It's the call of my inner world that looks for similar and valuable understanding, for common deep feelings and thoughts, for a different point of view having as a higher goal to see life and human through the lens of essential beauty. Cause every human deserves to live in a balanced system of beauty, freedom and of essential appreciation.

Teodor Currentzis, Founder and Music Director of musicAeterna Ensemble and Choir as well Chief Conductor of the SWR Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart, is the one who through his contradictory world, creates balanced and outstanding outcomes. He is the tangible example of the human who lives his life according to vital values, ecstatic feelings and mindful thoughts. He is the human where directs theory and action in a productive rhythm. Such a human couldn't not to be honoured for his work from all over the world. Such a human couldn't not have a prestigious title, after all.

Teodor Currentzis was born in Greece. In Greece initially studied music, but he has lived in Russia since 1994. He found the musicAeterna Orchestra and Choir in 2004 at the start of his seven-year tenure as principal conductor of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre. He has worked with musicAeterna on sacred music of the Middle Ages, as well as on Baroque operas and experimental works by avant-garde composers. Between 2011 and 2019 Teodor Currentzis was artistic director of the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 2019 he and musicAeterna moved to St Petersburg, turning Dom Radio into their new creative home.

Teodor Currentzis and musicAeterna chose Saint Petersburg as their main base. There, in the historical city center at the legendary Dom Radio, a contemporary cultural and education centre was established. It is a place where new ideas are explored through musical, theatrical and artistic residencies. At Dom Radio, chamber performances of the orchestra and choir take place, young composers create their new pieces of music, and well-respected musicians and philosophers share their knowledge with listeners.

From October 2021, the best projects created at musicAeterna’s headquarter will be presented around the world. MusicAeterna is setting up its residencies in cities where creative energy is high and art is in great demand: New York, Paris, Vienna, Hamburg, Tokyo, Berlin, Lucerne, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. In these cities, the musicAeterna orchestra and choir will become an integral part of the cultural environment by giving frequent performances, organizing educational programmes, and focusing on alternative projects in music and dance.

Lucerne was the musicAeterna’s first international art residency. On October 6-8, attendees of master classes, roundtables and live performances were encouraged to join musicians in exploring the cultural and historical context as well as the expressive capabilities concealed in music. 

Teodor Currentzis:

" The musicAeterna artistic residencies embody our vision of the future of art. It is a way of reinventing the arts by blurring the boundaries between them. In our residencies, artists who work in different areas but have similar visions of beauty and the future of art share inspiration and ideas. It helps to see ourselves, the world, and art from different angles, broadens our horizons, and gives a whole new result. It inevitably changes us. And we would like the audience to feel this freedom and get this impulse too. The residency is a way of stepping into a space of exploration and communication. This is the essence and spirit of our project".

You could discover more for Teodor Currentzis and listen to his & musicAeterna new recordings,  rethinking Beethoven, here: http://www.teodor-currentzis.com/

All photos are a courtesy of musicAeterna library.