In the BZ questionnaire, Ludwig Holtmeier (56), Director of the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, reports on musical preferences and reveals that he would like to swap places with Christian Streich for a day.
Gustav Mahler’s music, says Ludwig Holtmeier, touches his soul. The 56-year-old grew up in Bielefeld, studied piano, music theory and musicology in Detmold, Geneva, Freiburg and Berlin and taught at the Hanns Eisler University of Music in Berlin before becoming a professor at the Dresden University of Music at the age of 34 . Holtmeier has been teaching at the Freiburg University of Music since 2003, which he has headed since 2017. He is married, has three children and lives in the Wiehre.
How was your year
Terribly exhausting, but still we managed to achieve a surprising amount of normality. We are very fortunate to have an institute for musicians’ medicine at the university. We followed up closely and quickly and created extensive ventilation concepts for each individual room. And of course, we also had the luck of the able on our side.
How do you celebrate Christmas?
A little smaller than usual, of necessity, but definitely with a lot of music that we hear and play. “Silent Night, Holy Night” will definitely not be missing.
What did you want to become as a child?
Superhero, chef – or musician.
Your favorite place in Freiburg?
On the Cybfelsen.
Your favorite bar in Freiburg?
The “To the Fuhrmann”.
What is your favorite subject at school?
French.
What makes you laugh heartily?
About British humor.
What do you like to do in your freetime?
Ride a mountain bike.
Which book have you been most interested in recently?
Right now: the great dissertation of a doctoral student.
When was the last time you were at church?
On Sunday of the Dead in the Christ Church.
When was the last time you went to the cinema?
This year in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”.
What music do you like?
I’m surrounded by great music from a wide variety of genres every day. My special love has been the music of Gustav Mahler since my early youth.
Your favorite website?
http://www.mh-freiburg.de – what else?
Do you have a role model?
My artistic and academic teachers were important role models for me.
What do you like about yourself?
My head of hair.
What are you afraid of?
Before losing my loved ones.
Where do you like to go on vacation?
In Brittany – my second home.
What is it that annoys you?
Boredom.
Your greatest success?
Our children.
You get a journey through time for free – where are you going?
To Leipzig, Good Friday 1727, for the first performance of the St. Matthew Passion.
Who would you like to swap with for a day and why?
With Christian Streich. I have such a tactical idea …
Your dream headline?
“The Freiburg University of Music receives a million dollar foundation.”
Say you win a million at Jauch. What are you doing with it?
I give part to the Society for the Promotion of the Freiburg University of Music, the rest to my children.
Please complete: I work best on the stove …
… Lippischer Pickert.
If you want to achieve something in my job, you …
… needs knowledge and love of music, enjoyment of dealing with people, respect and reliability as well as perseverance and a lot of humor.
I forget the time when …
… I play the piano.
Once in a lifetime I really want …
… travel to Japan again.
As Lord Mayor of Freiburg I would …
… promote the diverse cultural life of this beautiful city to the best of my ability and enjoy it.
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