Viola-Festival

At last, the viola is getting the attention it deserves.
The old viola jokes seem long outdated – for several decades now, this instrument has been at the centre of musical life for many musicians and composers.
Now it is time to put the viola in the spotlight in Bremen's music world too.

Participation in the master classes and concerts is free of charge. Advance registration is requested: kbb-musik@hfk-bremen.de

Friday, 9 January 2026 | 6 p.m. | Gallery, Dechanatstraße
Voice of the Viola – Inaugural concert with Prof. Sara Kim 
Works for solo viola, including pieces by G. Ligeti, P. Hindemith and M. Reger 

Saturday, 10 January 2026 | 8 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dechanatstraße
The Viola as Prima Donna 
The Final Concert of the Master Class with Prof. Nils Mönkemeyer 

Saturday, 17 January 2026 | 7 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dechanatstraße
Innovative thinking
Final concert of the master class Concert with Ionel Ungureanu, Sandro Nebieridze (pianist and composer) and students of the HfK Bremen 

Saturday, 24 January 2026 | 8 p.m. | Gallery, Dechanatstraße
Borsch4Breakfast

Sunday, 25 January 20226 | 7 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dechanatstraße
Between Valley and Mountains
Concert with the Vision String Quartet

Sunday, 1 February 2026 | 4 p.m. | Gallery, Dechanatstraße
Children's Concert – ‘Viola Astronauts Wanted!’
A participatory concert for young and old (ages 4 and up)
With plenty of humour, sound experiments and music from Viola Spaces, children will discover the viola as an instrument of adventure.

Sunday, 1 February 2026 | 6 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dechanatstraße
The Contemporary
Master Class Final Concert. Garth Knox plays his own works with students from the HfK Bremen

Saturday, 10 January 2026 | 12:00–18:00 | Concert Hall, Dechanatstraße
Viola as Prima Donna
Master class with Prof. Nils Mönkemeyer

Saturday, 17 January 2026 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dechanatstraße
Innovative Thinking
Workshop with Ionel Ungureanu and Sandro Nebieridze (pianist and composer)

Sunday, 18 January 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dechanatstraße
Public audition training and discussion – expectations and reality
Insight into the professional orchestra scene: joint training, exchange and realistic perspectives with orchestra musicians.

Sunday, 25 January 2026 | 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, various rooms
Between Valley and Mountains
Master class with Sander Stuart

Saturday, 31 January 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Concert Hall, Dechanatstraße
The Contemporary Master class with Garth Knox

Sunday, 1 February 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Concert Hall
The Contemporary Master class with Garth Knox