Musical sensations
Organised by Musical Discovery, “Musik an der ETH” is just one of the many concert events that introduces musical talent to the campus. But unlike the rest, it features wunderkinds from around the globe.
“It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself”, Johann Sebastian Bach once declared. Easy for him to say; he was born into a family of great musical talent, so it was practically in his blood. But for those of us who lack a musical ear and the talent to touch the right key or draw the bow at the right angle, watching wunderkinds perform on stage is all the more impressive.
Nina Orotchko understood this fascination when she founded external pageMusical Discovery and the concert series “Music an der ETH” in 1995. The aim of the company was not only to bring talented musicians to a Zurich stage, but also to support young prodigies by giving them a gateway into the professional classical music scene. As a professional violinist herself, Orotchko saw an opportunity to expand her capabilities: “Creating Musical Discovery was as a new step from performing. I wanted to establish my own business where all my knowledge, organizational talents and inclinations would be realized. It was a chance to implement my most daring dreams and ideas.”
Music at her fingertips
In pursuing her dream, Nina Orotchko has become a successful artist and concert manager with now 20 years of experience in bringing young talent as well as famous maestros from all over the world to perform at ETH Zurich. Her motivation was and still is very simple – to attract a general audience with a fresh and innovative programme. The concert series are known to feature anything from classical style music to a more amusing combination of genres, including music played with folk instruments. And the musicians come from all corners of the world – the most memorable of performers being the great Russian pianist, Konstantin Scherbakov, who once played the complete piano works of Sergei Rachmaninoff in four concerts. “Being involved in the music business for many years, one has the privilege of coming into contact not only with some of the most promising musicians out there, but also with those who love music and enjoy supporting young talent”, explains Orotchko.
In the midst of her global network, the only remaining task is to choose the best among the best young musicians. Many of them are first prize winners of major international competitions such as Queen Elisabeth in Brussels, Chopin in Warsaw, ARD in Munich, Busoni in Bolzano, Tchaikovsky in Moscow, Géza Anda in Zurich and Paloma O'Shea in Santander. The average age of the selected soloists ranges between 20 to 22, though Orotchko has encountered celebrated pupils as young as 10 years old, namely those of the Rimsky-Korsakov Musiklyzeum in St. Petersburg.
The bijou of ETH
Concerts are held monthly in the beautiful Semper Aula (HG G - 60) in the main building at ETH Zurich. This architectural jewel, which was designed by the famous architect Gottfried Semper (1803-1879) and decorated by the painter Jean Baptiste Philippe Bin (1825-1897), serves as a perfect setting in which to enjoy the piano sonatas of Beethoven or Wagner. “It was rather a happy coincidence that the concerts began to take place here”, Orotchko admits. “Back in 1994, one of the major agencies in Munich asked me to find a concert venue in Zurich as part of a European tour of debutant musicians they were promoting at the time. On recommendation, I came to ETH and was offered this historical treasure, which had previously never been used for concerts.”
“Music an der ETH” is organised under the patronage of Rector, Lino Guzzella and is supported by various ETH members, including the former Rector, Konrad Osterwalder. “For me the connection with ETH Zurich is more than obvious: prodigious musicians play before a young generation of scientists, engineers and technicians, the universal language of music bringing them together, inspiring them.”