(MUSICIAN) On September 5th, 2022 the German pianist Lars Vogt died. 
Lars had established himself as one of the leading musicians of our time. Born in the small German town of Düren in 1970, he first came to public attention when he won second prize at the 1990 Leeds International Piano Competition. His versatility as an artist ranged from the music of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, to the romantics Schumann, Brahms, Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, through to 20th Century works. Lars enjoys a high profile as a chamber musician and in June 1998 he founded his own chamber festival in the village of Heimbach near Cologne. Known as Spannungen - Tensions -, the concerts take place in an art-nouveau hydro-electric power station. 
I met Lars Vogt in 2009, during the Beethoven festival in Bonn.

Remembering Lars Vogt (recorded 2009)

In this podcast, renowned German pianist Lars Vogt discusses his highly acclaimed recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, the balancing act of being both a concert pianist and a conductor, as well as the beauty of performing alongside close friends.

Episode 7 - Lars Vogt on Chamber Music with Friends and Balancing Piano with Conducting

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Breandáin O’Shea is an Australian musician, pedagogue, and arts journalist who has called Germany home since the early 90s. With a career spanning more than three decades, O'Shea has made a profound impact on the arts scene, both locally and globally. For over 20 years, O’Shea curated and hosted two award-winning weekly arts programs for Deutsche Welle, showcasing appreciation for diverse artistic forms. His expertise has also been shared as a guest lecturer at Berlin’s University of the Arts, the Goethe Institute, and Norway's Stavanger University. O'Shea's impressive list of interviewees reads like a who's who of the arts world, including luminaries such as Daniel Barenboim, Roddy Doyle, Sting, Christo, and Jessye Norman. His insightful conversations have resonated with audiences worldwide, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in the arts community. Based in Berlin, O’Shea continues to foster cultural discourse through various mediums, from producing podcasts to crafting radio documentaries, collaborating with renowned media outlets such as the ABC and DW.

In 2018, O'Shea launched Tall Poppies: The Podcast, featuring insightful interviews with prominent figures in Australian arts and culture. His guests include stage director Barrie Kosky, conductor Simone Young, and philosopher Peter Singer. Additionally, O'Shea co-founded Tall Poppies Talks, a highly regarded Australian salon, in 2019. This quarterly event in Berlin underscores his impact on the cultural landscape. O'Shea's background lies in music performance, with a particular emphasis on flute and voice during his studies. Under the guidance of Professor Margit Kobeck in Cologne, he received vocal training and refined his skills through master classes with Vera Rosza OBE and Professor Kurt Widmer. Additionally, he is a jazz singer and pianist, captivating audiences in diverse venues, including successful tours with Sea Cloud and Aida cruises. His creative talents extend to composition, where he has crafted chansons, cabaret music, incidental music for stage, and signature tunes for various radio programs and podcasts. Moreover, O'Shea shares his knowledge and experience as a mentor for numerous radio features and podcasts, offering invaluable insights in sound design.

O’Shea has featured in various radio plays, notably portraying the lead character in the award-winning German-language series "Harri in die Zeitschleifen," which comprised multiple episodes and was produced by Deutsche Welle. 
O'Shea has been a guest at numerous music festivals all over Europe, presenting public interviews, introductions to concerts, and lectures. Among these are the International Chamber Music Festival in Norway, The Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and the International Beethoven Festival in Bonn, Germany.
In 2022, Breandáin O’Shea founded Die Buhne Rüft - Klassik, Jazz, Chanson (The Stage Calls), a concert series showcasing musicians at various stages of their careers. The concerts are held in the beautiful halls of Schloss Sacrow, located just outside of Berlin. He serves as the founder and artistic director of the series.
Among O’Shea’s accolades are a Gold Medal from the New York Festival Radio Awards for the most outstanding arts program and a World Radio Award, highlighting his talent and unwavering dedication to the arts. 
In addition to his journalistic endeavours, O’Shea is deeply committed to music education, offering private lessons in Berlin. With a focus on improvisation, jazz techniques, and composition, he imparts his knowledge and expertise to aspiring musicians.

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