Four artists played a special role in the last festival: Daniel Cremer, Anselm Dalferth, Franziska Ritter and Christian Siegmund were the experience designers behind Beethovenfest 2025. They brought the motto »Alles ultra« to life with concert experiences that went beyond the norm. Read on to hear about their work in their own words.
Experience Design
Concerts with all senses
For me, experience design means...
How to plan experience design:
»Many of our brilliant ideas come about spontaneously, whether that’s while cycling, during everyday life, in the shower in the morning, or over a beer after work.« – Franziska & Christian
»First, we gather ideas and as much information as possible about the concert and its procedures.« – Anselm
»I usually start by looking at the architectural features of the venue. What unused potential for encounters is there? What is permitted in terms of fire safety, and what is organisationally possible?« – Daniel
»Nevertheless, we usually start by thoroughly inspecting the venue where the concert is to take place, analysing the conditions. What is already in place? What will happen on stage? What theme or atmosphere should characterise the evening? Who is the audience? Who do we want to reach, and what message do we want to convey? What emotional transformation should take place in the audience?« – Franziska & Christian
»I look for intellectual, musical and dramaturgical themes in the concert programme that we can incorporate into the experience design, ensuring it is integral to the event’s DNA.« – Daniel
What we take away from the response...
»... smiles, inspiration, gratitude.«
»Most people who actively choose to accept one of our gifts are beaming and seem excited and alert. Many express gratitude for the enhanced concert experience. However, if the gift is ›imposed‹ on them, for example with the help of a presenter, some people are not as receptive. So it takes an outstretched hand and the freedom to say no to an expansion of the concept of a concert. Some people don’t want their habits to be questioned. That needs to be respected. We learn a lot from this situation: how can experience design be a voluntary offer or be so subtly anchored in the setup that it changes the experience almost imperceptibly?
In general, offerings that stimulate the mind and embed the concert in a broader intellectual horizon are well received. The encounter formats were also well received, such as the Wandelgarten on the roof terrace of the Bonn Opera House, which was used extensively even in cold temperatures.«
– Daniel
»... so much positivity.«
»There are lots of positive things: laughter, spontaneous positive feedback in conversations, applause, and surprising encounters. However, I also hear doubts, both from the audience and from those involved on and behind the stage. What’s the point? Can it work? How will it come across? Should we do it, or should we not?«
– Anselm
»... emotion, hugs and memories.«
»Many guests, particularly those who attend the one-to-one concerts, report having had touching and often unexpected experiences that remain in their memory for a long time. We are particularly pleased that the audience perceives classical music as accessible, community-building and personal here – creating truly magical moments. After the concert, we often hug people, tears flow, and weeks later, we still receive emails telling us how moved they were.«
– Franziska & Christian
Our favourite items of experience design 2025
Anselm: »The Beethoven Chapter motorcycle club made a surprise musical appearance with their Harley Davidsons after the concert with Iveta Apkalna & Gábor Boldoczki. An absolute highlight!«
Anselm: »One of my favourite moments was the ear massage to warm up the audience before the concert with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, followed by cooling down with ice cream after the concert. I was also delighted by the ›UltraCello‹ flash mob, which featured an incredible number of audience cellists at the concert of the 12 Cellists.«
Franziska & Christian: »Our highlight this year was definitely working with the Beethovenfest Circle of Friends to plan the one-to-one concerts. Many volunteers, both young and old, chose the most unusual locations in Bonn and welcomed each guest individually, whether that was wearing blue surgical scrubs at the Waldkrankenhaus Bonn hospital or rowing a dinghy towards the fishing boat Aalschokker Aranka on the Rhine. The overwhelming sense of commitment, dedication and reliability touched our hearts!«
