There are not too many people who would instantly think of Joseph Haydn, when they hear the German national anthem. But indeed it was exactly this composer of Austrian origin to whom Germany owes the music written in 1797 and which since 1922 had been used for the German national anthem. The importance of Joseph Haydn to the musical world is however not restricted to this one composition. We can imagine the impact Joseph Haydn had on classical European music of his times and up to today by the fact that he was a close friend of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a teacher of Ludwig van Beethoven. Haydn was often referred to as "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet". By the time of his death, he was one of the most celebrated composers across Europe.
The choice of Joseph Haydn to be in the focus of the International Music Festival in Phnom Penh is no coincindence. This year the musical world commemorates the 200 th anniversary of his death in 1809 with many Haydn concerts all over Europe. I am very grateful to the art plus foundation and its artistic director Anton Isselhardt that he with the support of the Goethe Institute, many artists and many sponsors to the Festival made it again possible that we in Cambodia can join in in enjoying Haydn and other composers of classical music.
Music does not know any borders and so does the understanding of music. Within our cultural cooperation with the Kingdom of Cambodia the Federal Republic of Germany has always strived to encourage young artists from Cambodia and the region to actively engage in performing classical music and to support the understanding of music. I remember with gratitude the concert of the Tübingen Chamber Orchestra in Phnom Penh on September 4, 2009 under the high patronage of his Majesty the King of Cambodia where young German musicians performed supported by soloists from Cambodia. During the sixth International Musical Festival in Phnom Penh, 22 - 30 October 2009, we will be able to witness more of these brilliant examples.
Frank M. Mann
German Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
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