PortraitThe MusiciansStephan Schrader, Cello

Stephan Schrader, Cello

What brought you to music, and why do you play your instrument? There was a lot of music-making in our family; each of the four children played at least one instrument. In addition to the cello (I wanted to play it even before my mother allowed me to - first my feet had to reach the ground when I was sitting down), I also played the trumpet for a time (I had to wait for the chance for years, until a trombone choir was formed in the community; I have it to thank for wonderful holiday courses and choir director training), piano (our piano teacher came every weekend to play chamber music; the repertoire always included salon music), and organ (for three years I played regularly for church services in a congregation with 66 members; my weekly classes included harmony and composition). At the age of twelve I formed my first string quartet; we had free lessons every week for four years; I also played my first gig with the ensemble (Advent conference of married police officers from North Rhine-Westphalia). My piano teacher always said, »Never become a musician - only if you can't do anything else!« Actually, I was also interested in dramaturgy, organ building, and physics (earlier, I wanted to be a captain). The decisive moment came after a Schubert string quintet rehearsal.

Stephan Schrader, cello (Photo: Marcus Meyer)

What is your motivation for doing educational projects? Concerts are only one form of experiencing or sharing music. It is better for many people when they contribute to the sounds themselves - young people, in particular, can be reached more directly. I enjoy finding such new alternative ways to make and listen to music. Working with children and young people also keeps me young - I have already learned a lot that way! How are you musically active in addition to the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen? I have probably performed chamber music with almost all my colleagues already, but the Trio Davidoff is my regular ensemble - a piano trio with Hozumi Murata and his wife, Momoko. I play Baroque cello in the ensemble Parnassi musici; we produce a CD every year (www.parnassimusici.com). In 2008 I recorded improvised music for the first time with jazz pianist Felix Elsner - The Bird Variations, a tribute to Charlie Parker. In my solo program ›Cello Loop‹ I play my own multivoiced music by means of a loop device (more details at www.cello-loop.com). I teach cello and group improvisation at the University of the Arts in Bremen. Since I enjoy teaching, I regularly organize courses for students. I have my colleagues from the Sinfonia Concertante to thank for my first commission; the work for sound chair, cello loop, and improvising orchestra will be performed in autumn of 2009.

This page was last changed on 22-11-2011, 12:03 PM