Anna Vilenskaya in Munich 17 February 2024

German music is used by composers in movies more often than others. Bach is heard in Tarkovsky's films, Wagner in Trier's, and Beethoven in Kubrick's. This is due to the fact that German music often carries many cultural symbols and meanings, some of which are taken from the musical fabric, and some from the history or biography of the composers who created it. Let's explore how Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, Mendelssohn, and Orff are better than their less famous counterparts; how to determine whether Beethoven is classical or romantic; and what Wagner experimented with in such a way that he destroyed classical harmony. The lecture will pay little attention to biography and history and will mostly delve into the musical fabric in search of objective answers to the above questions. No prior knowledge of any music is necessary, the lecture is intended for people with no musical background.

Anna started giving lectures when she was still studying at the conservatory. There, lectures about music were delivered professionally, but with a flavor of snobbery and museum historicism. She wanted to change the approach of music storytelling towards visualization, simplicity, emotionality and practicality for the listener. It all worked out, and from 2018 to 2022 Anna gave lectures first in bars in St. Petersburg, then in libraries, and then in theaters and museums in various Russian cities.

People loved these lectures, Anna was included in the list of 30 most influential people in Russia who are under 30, she made her show with Warner music Russia and read author cycles in philharmonic societies. With the outbreak of full-scale war, Anna left with her husband to Tbilisi and now works there. Now Anna does not give lectures in philharmonies, but in private centers and organizations, and also works in a school and teaches people all over the world how to give lectures with her video course.