PortraitThe MusiciansUlrike Rüben, Cello

Ulrike Rüben, Cello

What was your most memorable experience in the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen? Our first tour with Gidon Kremer to Japan and America. To begin with, I was a bit afraid that so many Mozart violin concertos in succession would degenerate into the notorious situation of reeling them off over and over again. But I was thoroughly disabused of that notion! Every time it was a completely new experience. I actually had the feeling of carrying on a new dialogue with the soloist on the subject of Mozart on every new stage. As a result of this experience, I generally prefer to play Mozart solo concertos without a conductor, because it is so marvelous to be in direct contact with the soloist. How are you musically active in addition to the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen? I am happy when I can also play my Baroque cello or my gamba in concerts sometimes, or even just play with musicians outside my orchestra. I teach cello and gamba, and no time passes more quickly for me than a lesson. Sometimes I conduct cello sectional rehearsals, for example, in the regional youth orchestra. Unfortunately, I have given up my voice lessons.

Ulrike Rüben, cello

What is your motivation for doing educational projects? Since we are on tour a lot, I cannot give cello lessons very regularly. That is why I have taught almost only adults or young adults. For that reason, over time I have developed almost a kind of longing for contact with children and young people as well. During our educational projects, not only my cello playing is required, but all the other musical, pedagogical, and human antennae must also be put out. I perceive that as a great, exciting challenge every time. How do you feel in Bremen? After spending my school days in Lörrach, my student years in Freiburg and Berlin, and the first six years with the Kammerphilharmonie (including gamba studies) in Frankfurt, Bremen was precisely the city I wanted to move to, just like the Bremen Town Musicians! I had attended a few courses at the ›Akademie für Alte Musik‹ and was fascinated with the city. I was particularly taken with the ›Viertel‹ [a lively, alternative district of Bremen]. Now I live in Findorff and feel very much at home in my neighborhood. As an enthusiastic bicyclist, Bremen is an ideal place for me (I got my driver's license at the age of eighteen but have never owned a car). Although the Gesamtschule-Ost is a long trip by bicycle, now and then I cycle the entire (contrary to all expectations) wonderful distance (through garden plots, etc.). It takes an hour. Luckily there's a shower in the GSO! Most of the time, however, I ride part of the way through the city park, then take the streetcar or ride in a colleague's car. Speaking of the city park, I look forward to yoga in the park every summer! Passionate tango dancers also get their money's worth in Bremen!

This page was last changed on 10-11-2009, 4::36 PM