First Viola Festival in Bremen

Under the title ‘Viola. Finally.’, the viola will have its own festival in Bremen for the first time from 9 January to 1 February 2026, thanks to the initiator and internationally renowned violist Prof. Sara Kim. Outstanding artists such as Borsch4Breakfast, Garth Knox, Prof. Nils Mönkemeyer, Sander Stuart, Ionel Ungureanu together with Sandro Nebieridze and the Vision String Quartet will perform at the University of the Arts Bremen. Admission is free on all four weekends. 

The new year begins with a musical kick-off at the University of the Arts Bremen: from 9 January to 1 February 2026, the viola will take centre stage and, thanks to Sara Kim, professor of viola and chamber music, will have its own festival in Bremen for the first time. Under the title ‘Viola. Finally.’, the HfK Bremen invites you to free concerts, workshops, master classes, audition training, discussions and after-show parties.

With Sara Kim, the HfK Bremen is experiencing a new boom in viola playing. Since she took up her post in April 2025, the number of students studying viola has doubled. The Bremen professor is one of the few female violists in teaching. The world of the viola is predominantly male, which is also reflected in the festival programme. The Viola Festival connects Kim, who took up her professorship at the University of the Arts Bremen in April 2025, with her long-awaited inaugural concert. Original works for solo viola will be performed, including pieces by Ligeti, Hindemith, Reger and others. 

Prof. Nils Mönkemeyer, who was recently named University Teacher of the Year 2025 by the German University Association, will be a guest on the first weekend of the festival. Mönkemeyer is not only known for his excellent teaching and pedagogical skills, but is also committed to building new bridges in music as a soloist and in cooperation with his students. Together with Sara Kim and the students of the HfK, he will perform in concert following the master class.

Violist and composer Ionel Ungureanu combines classical virtuosity with modern arrangements and jazz and folk influences. With his band Borsch4Breakfast, he stands for creative boundary-crossing – between tradition and innovation – and is thus an inspiring guest for students who want to discover new soundscapes and go their own way. Piano lovers will also get their money's worth this weekend: Ungureanu is bringing along award-winning pianist and composer Sandro Nebieridze, who is an absolutely exceptional talent.

Sander Stuart is a producer, influencer, podcaster and violist in the Vision String Quartet. He brings not only musical excellence, but also media and visual creativity to the table. As a producer and podcaster, he works at the intersection of music, video art and social media and is an exciting source of inspiration for students who want to think and work in an interdisciplinary way. The Vision String Quartet combines classical chamber music with contemporary sound and light concepts. It shows how modern, versatile and audience-friendly chamber music can be today.

The last weekend of the festival features an icon: Irish violist and composer Garth Knox is one of the most important voices in contemporary music. As a former member of the Arditti Quartet and the Ensemble InterContemporain, he stands for innovation and sound research. His work with the viola and viola d'amore opens up new and fascinating sound spaces.

The workshops and master classes for students at the HfK Bremen are open to the public and offer a glimpse behind the scenes of music studies. For children and families, there is a special concert in cooperation with the Department of Music Education under the motto ‘Bratschonauten gesucht!’ (Viola explorers wanted!), where children can get to know the viola as an adventure instrument. Another highlight are the after-show parties in the university's music cellar. In a relaxed atmosphere, the evening's musical guests answer questions from the audience as part of an interactive artist talk.
 

‘Viola. Finally.’ from 9 January to 1 February 2026

Friday, 9 January 2026 | 6 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Gallery
Viola Festival: Voice of the Viola
Inaugural concert by Prof. Sara Kim
Original works for solo viola, including pieces by G. Ligeti, I. Stravinsky and P. Hindemith

Saturday, 10 January 2026 | 12 noon–6 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, concert hall
Viola Festival: The viola as prima donna
Master class with Prof. Nils Mönkemeyer

Saturday, 10 January 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Concert Hall
Viola Festival: Viola as Prima Donna
Final concert of the master class with Prof. Nils Mönkemeyer

Saturday, 10 January 2026 | 9:30 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Music Cellar / Cafeteria 13
After-show party

Saturday, 17 January 2026 | 3:00–6:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Concert Hall
Viola Festival: Make It Your Own
Improvisation and arrangement workshop with Ionel Ungureanu and Sandro Nebieridze (pianist and composer)

Saturday, 17 January 2026 | 7:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Concert Hall
Viola Festival: Make It Your Own
Concert with Ionel Ungureanu, Sandro Nebieridze (pianist and composer) and students from the HfK Bremen  

Sunday, 18 January 2026 | 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Concert Hall
Public audition training

Saturday, 24 January 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Gallery
Concert Borsch4Breakfast

Saturday, 24 January 2026 | 10:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Music Cellar / Cafeteria 13
After-Show Party

Sunday, 25 January 2026 | 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, various rooms
Viola Festival: Between Valley and Mountains
Master class with Vision String Quartet

Sunday, 25 January 2026 | 5:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Concert Hall
Viola Festival: Between Valley and Mountains
Interview and discussion with Sander Stuart

Sunday, 25 January 2026 | 7:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, concert hall
Viola Festival: Between Valley and Mountains
Concert by Vision String Quartet

Sunday, 25 January 2026 | 9:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, music cellar / cafeteria 13
After-show party

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

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

Sunday, 1 February 2026 | 4:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Gallery
Viola Festival: Children's Concert – ‘Viola Astronauts Wanted!’
A participatory concert for young and old (ages 4 and up)

Sunday, 1 February 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Dechanatstraße, Concert Hall
Viola Festival: The Contemporary
Master Class Final Concert
Garth Knox plays his own works with Sara Kim and students from the HfK Bremen