Interview with Jan Moritz Onken

Can you tell us a little bit about the European Silk Road - Project and the Silk Road Symphony Orchestra?

I have always harboured the desire to create an orchestra that truly embodies my artistic convictions and beliefs – something entirely innovative. An orchestra rooted in independence, where I can articulate my own concept and express my artistic and musical language freely. Simultaneously, I envision a space where people from all walks of life can join in crafting something beautiful together – a world of music. I constantly seek clarity of understanding and a platform where I can fully manifest my priorities, facilitating a necessary expression of how I perceive the world through musical terms. The fundamental human task of a 'Silk Road' is, of course, profoundly challenging. It so happened that I envisioned the Silk Road Cultural Belt as a 'New Silk Road' – distinct from the myriad of other existing concepts merely toying with these words.

The Silk Road Symphony Orchestra & Cultural Belt promote personal interpretation while facilitating deeply personal musical expression. In my view, this encapsulates the potential role of classical music in our world: to exemplify patience, tolerance, and generosity towards one another, beginning with simple acts like sharing a piece of silk along the Silk Road Cultural Belt. It's about taking moments to reflect, utilizing digital media joyfully and meaningfully with shared responsibility. To truly listen to each other – a form that evokes human qualities, transcending ideologies, and sectoral superiority.

Musically, I need to express myself very freely, and I hope that through these ideas, I will contribute my piece of silk as both a conductor and a musician. Thanks to the wonderful musical partners in the orchestra and ensemble, we are now uncovering numerous hidden voices to support PhD Mario Holzner's captivating vision from the WIIW in Vienna. Together with artists from over 15 European countries, we engage in a meaningful dialogue and intense expression.

Why did you found the Callias Foundation?

The Callias Foundation serves as our legal entity, a non-profit organization established in 2016 in Berlin and relocated to Vienna since January 24th, 2024. "Callias" translates to 'beauty' in ancient Greek, symbolizing our aim to imbue terms such as 'European Silk Road' or 'orchestra' with their most peaceful and meaningful connotations through our value-based approach.

While it's idealistic to involve every individual in this process or to always garner universal support for concepts like 'concert,' I am eager to explore the possibilities offered by contemporary social media-platforms to mobilize creative potential. The foundation is committed to preserving the freedom and peacefulness of interpretation for such global ideas. Our statutes outline clear regulations to guide these endeavors.

Could you discuss a particularly memorable performance or piece that the orchestra has presented and why it was significant?

On the 22nd of October 2022, the Callias Ensemble presented a program featuring choir works by Pärt, Tavener, Bruckner, Lauridsen etc. in dialogue with Rumi in front of the Ishtar Gate at the Pergamon Museum.

The fundamental framework of the 'Berliner Dialogkonzerte' involves sources of inspiration from the Silk Road Cultural Belt, such as 'In memoriam Benjamin Britten' by Arvo Pärt or 'Transfigured Night' by Arnold Schönberg, cherished by music enthusiasts from New York and Eleusis in Greece. These pieces engage in a dialogue with compositions by al-Hamadhani, Mahler, or Schubert.

Can you describe any upcoming projects or goals for The Silk Road Symphony Orchestra?

Now that we've settled in Vienna, it's fascinating to see our concept coming to fruition on a European scale, thanks to new partners in Romania, Italy, Denmark, France, Ukraine, and beyond. I'm still getting to know the city, immersing myself in its music scene, festivals, and events at venues like Konzerthaus, Opera, and Musikverein.

Our goal is to introduce the 'Berliner Dialogkonzerte' to Austrian audiences in Vienna and other cities across the country, aiming to establish it as a regular program within Vienna's concert venues as part of the European Silk Road initiative. This initiative is expanding with various planned programs, and it's exciting to be part of a group of outstanding artistic and musical collaborators such as Ensemble Alraune from Florence, Lydforesing in Aarhus, berlinHistory e.V. in Berlin, and many others. We look forward to bringing them all to Vienna in the coming years.

How can individuals and organizations get involved or support the mission of the orchestra?

Sharing a #pieceofsilk may seem simple, but its unexpected and sincere nature can offer profound support, inspiring us and reminding us of the fragility of orchestras, poems, and untapped potentials. For festivals or concert halls, reaching out directly to discuss potential programs is a valuable form of support.

The European Silk Road - App encourages composers, poets, and European citizens to contribute personal works via its participatory tool. You can download the app for free from any App or Google Store ('European Silk Road'). Composers interested in joining us with their works are welcome to contact me directly at jmo@callias-foundation.org.

What message do you hope audiences take away from the performances of The Silk Road Symphony Orchestra?

I aim to encourage a deeper recognition of the privilege within the EU to think independently and interpret concepts like the 'Silk Road' in our own unique ways. For example, through Persian literature such as Farrid Uddin Attar's renowned work "Mantiq ut-tair" ("The Bird Talks") with its core symbolic idea of 'Simurgh', symbolizing individual peace and unity between earthly and non-earthly realms, bridging east and west, north, and south.

My goal is to inspire interpretations that go beyond clichés, fostering personal understanding. Considering global events in Ukraine, Hong Kong, Iran, and Israel, it's crucial to showcase how contemporary art, beyond classical music, responds to these issues of violence.

What role do collaborations, like the one with Universal Edition AG, play in the development and success of the orchestra?

We are fortunate that Andreas Bintinger joined the artistic advisory group of the European Silk Road - App in 2022. This collective radar enables us to discover what we alone would never uncover. Scodo and the outreach of Universal Edition is unique, and I can only imagine the musical cosmos awaiting discovery if each living composer from EU were to compose one orchestral work for the European Silk Road idea. Our aim is to uncover hidden voices, the avant-garde of this century. I see the Silk Road Symphony Orchestra's role as bringing these works to life or at least facilitating a process where newly commissioned works can be performed along the European Silk Roads - as there is not only one route, but many.

From Europe with love.