Alles ultra, Beethovenfest?

»Alles ultra« – the 2025 festival motto seems to be self-explanatory, as one global political challenge, aesthetic and technological revolution follows hard upon the next. Before we give in to fatalism, however, it is worthwhile taking a glance back through the archives of cultural history. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe coined this expression in a letter to a musician friend exactly two hundred years ago, writing: »Alles ist jetzt ultra, alles transzendiert unaufhaltsam« (»Everything now is ultra, transcending relentlessly«). With this, he described the condition of his increasingly complicated time. Back then, people were not so farremoved from our experience of life today.

It would be interesting to ask Beethoven what he thought of Goethe’s statement. The composer did not shy away from actively shaping the future, and so he continues to influence us to this day. Since 1845, we have been celebrating his music and power of innovation in a hundred events at Beethovenfest Bonn every year. For the 2025 edition, we can look forward to a festival of surprises, amazement, and diversity – for you, our audience.

This year, our classical residencies will feature topclass musicians such as Anastasia Kobekina and the Jerusalem Quartet. Once again we will be presenting five innovative Beethovenfest Fellows. In addition, we are launching the new programme Beethovenfest Talents with five outstanding young artists, and with Juri de Marco we are placing a focus on community music for the first time.