There are people who bemoan their fate – and those who take matters into their own hands. Adam and Hamlet Ambarzumjan definitely belong in the second category. Because when the pandemic suddenly paralyzed cultural life, the two young musicians took the initiative and founded the “Neustart Konzerte” project. From the Baltic Sea coast to the Allgäu they went as Duo Hamlet & Adam on tour, played wherever they were welcomed, and aroused enthusiasm everywhere, from audiences and critics alike. Both pianist Hamlet and clarinetist Adam, both in their early 20s, have won several international awards and scholarships. But these brothers are not only highly talented on the instrument, they are obviously also extremely committed to teaching music.
The “Restart Concerts” were not just about somehow filling the Corona vacuum, but also about the lowest possible access to music for all age groups. “We want to reach people who would otherwise have no opportunity to go to concerts,” explains Adam Ambarzumjan. Be it because of a pandemic – or because of a tight wallet, lack of affinity or mobility. The brothers, who grew up in Grafing, will be particularly pleased that, for example, a Mariam writes in the digital guest book that the duo gave her the very first visit to a classical concert and that they can “enthuse and inspire her completely”.
The duo’s programs offer music from different eras and styles
But how can you succeed in winning people over to classical sounds? First of all, by playing not only in large concert halls, says Adam Ambarzumjan, but also in other, smaller rooms in smaller towns – and beyond that, no admission is charged. In addition, the duo puts together particularly varied programs that offer different epochs and styles, from Bach to Piazzolla, from Prokofiev to Chopin, from opera melodies to klezmer and jazz. The two instrumentalists provide explanations – “not too little, but also not too much”.
Adam Ambarzumjan is principal clarinetist in Reutlingen, Hamlet Ambarzumjan made his debut in 2022 with Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in the Herkulessaal Munich. Of course, being on stage together means a lot to the brothers. They have been making music together since they were children, which is why the trust is particularly high. “But there’s never a shortage of fun either,” says Adam, who is a year older than Hamlet Ambarzumjan. And the fact that they were able to turn their talent on the instrument into a profession is mainly thanks to their parents, who come from Armenia and live in Grafing.
Great effort: The hygiene concept had to be revised again and again
The brothers organized their tour across Germany in lockdown completely themselves. Many municipalities and other public institutions would have stopped cultural activities completely, but “external, so to speak privately initiated concerts were often possible”. However, the hygiene concept had to be revised again and again in order to adapt it to the respective local regulations. “It was a pretty big effort – but it was worth it,” says Adam Ambarzumjan. “The concerts were well attended and people were happy that something finally took place again.” And thanks to great caution, a subsequent corona outbreak was never recorded.
The pandemic has now receded into the background, at least temporarily, and cultural events can take place again without restrictions. In addition, the nationwide “Neustart Kultur” program, which also funded the Ambarzumjans’ project, has expired. Nevertheless, the two continue to perform as a duo, for example on Sunday, November 6th, they are guests in the evangelical community center in Kirchseeon. Because their “restart” should bear fruit in the long term: “We are now collecting donations for the social component of our project,” explains Adam Ambarzumjan. During the pandemic, the brothers had already started playing in social institutions whose residents were unable to attend concerts due to their living conditions. In nursing homes or prisons, for example. “We were recently in a hospice,” says Adam Ambarzumjan, “and that was a very special experience.” The brothers made music there with keyboards instead of pianos, there was no stage either, the sounds only came through the open doors to their weakened audience. “But we notice very clearly: Music can comfort and heal, as Yehudi Menuhin always said.”
Chamber concert: “Duo Hamlet & Adam” with music for piano and clarinet on Sunday, November 6, at 6 p.m. in the evangelical community center in Kirchseeon. Admission free, donations requested.