Trips and Excursions
In addition to rehearsals, masterclasses and concerts, AlpenKammerMusik organizes a series of excursions in the Lesachtal Valley and beyond in order for participants to experience the rich history of the region. Carinthia itself dates back to Celtic times and in 16 BC it became a Roman province. When Roman rule broke down, Carinthia passed between Teutonic tribes, Avars, Slavs and Bavarians, and finally becoming a duchy in the year 976.
Carinthia was also a focal point for many great composers such as Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, Alben Berg, Hugo Wolf and more. Their summers were spent on Lake Wörth near Klagenfurt which served as a summer getaway for the rich and powerful in the 19th century. Brahms, who spent the years 1877 to 1879 in Pörtschach, was quoted as saying that "the melodies fly so thick here that you have to be careful not to step on one." It was here that Brahms composed his 2nd symphony, parts of the violin concerto, the first violin sonata and more. And Mahler, who spent his summers at Maiernigg between the years 1901 and 1907, composed his 4th through 8th symphonies as well as much of his Kindertotenlieder and many songs.
And while at AlpenKammerMusik, the participant will be able to experience just some of the great history that Lesachtal and Carinthia has offer.
Pörtschach and Wörthersee
Near the halfway point of the festival, faculty and participants will ride by bus to the beautiful lakeside town of Pörthscach, where we will have lunch and take a tour of the Brahms residences as shown and explained by the Brahms Society in Pörtschach. Next will be a beautiful boat ride across Lake Wörth to the beautiful lakeside town of Maiernigg where we will visit the small composing hut that Mahler used to work on his compositions and is today a museum dedicated to his work there. AlpenKammerMusik will also arrange a tour of the home of the 20th century composer Alben Berg, who owned a cottage nearby and where he composed his opera Lulu and his violin concerto.
Maria Luggau
Just a 10 minute drive away is the beautiful town of Maria Luggau, site of a 16th century monastery and a network of old water mills that once served as the region's lifeline. We will spend time walking the streets of Maria Luggau visiting the monastery, water mills, arts and crafts stores and enjoying the spectacular scenic beauty of the area.
Hiking
Liesing and the surrounding valley boast a wide variety of hiking trails that you may want to traverse in your free time while at the festival. Trails range from the simple to the more rigorous, all allowing one to take in the stunning surroundings of the Lesachtal Valley.
Before & After The Festival
Before or after you are in Liesing, you may want to visit some of Europe's most beautiful cities, all just a few hours away from many of Europe's most beautiful cities. Venice... Salzburg and the Mozart Festival...etc. Vienna...etc. Munich...etc.
Watch video of past festivals
Comments Of Past Participants:
"It was the highlight of my year! I felt like I learned more the week at AKM about playing
chamber music than I have in a long time."
- Felicia Weiss, Washington D.C.
"I can't say enough good things about the coaches that worked with my groups. My expectations were that they
would help with ensemble and that I would really enjoy actually playing with them. These expectations were exceeded far beyond
what I could have imagined."
- Norma Dermond, Seattle WA
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