Exclusive, renowned guests discuss contemporary issues

In this exclusive format, Sabine Christiansen, one of the most famous journalists in Germany, invites renowned experts in the fields of economy, science, politics and society to discuss contemporary issues. At „talk2christiansen“ presentations, discussion rounds and conversations, you will meet guests like Nobel Prize winner Joseph E. Stiglitz, H.E. Anote Tong, Former President of Kiribati, Kweku Mandela, Astronaut Thomas Reiter, Dr. Auma Obama, politicians like Theo Waigel, former Federal Minister of Finance, Wolfgang Bosbach, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Christian Lindner, or Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference.

Since it was founded in 2007, the Munich Philharmonic String Quartet has been renowned for its unusual concert programmes in the most diverse of formats. In the various performances that the Philharmonic String Quartet have already given in Europe and even as far afield as Japan and Cuba, the exceptionally experimental ensemble concentrated just as much on artists such as cellist Gautier Capucon, tenor Michael Schade and pianist Igor Levit as they did on klezmer specialist Giora Feidman, writer Elke Heidenreich and chanson singer Annette Postel. 
The four musicians Bernhard Metz, Clement Courtin, Konstantin Sellheim and Manuel von der Nahmer have all won renowned international competitions and enjoyed excellent training from famous teachers such as Rainer Kußmaul, Igor Oistrach, Hartmut Rohde and Wolfgang Boettcher. 
As a member of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, working with the world’s most famous directors such as Zubin Mehta, Christian Thielemann, Gustavo Dudamel and Valery Gergiev is part of their everyday job. The several years spent with one of Germany’s most renowned and traditional symphony orchestras had a decisive influence on the music and tone of the Munich Philharmonic String Quartet’s performances.

Violins: Bernhard Metz, Clement Courtin

Viola: Konstantin Sellheim

Violoncello: Manuel von der Nahmer

Ragna Schirmer is one of the most interesting artists of the younger generation. Her extensive repertoire ranges from Bach’s Goldberg Variations to the music of the 20th century. Her performances are marked out by her warm charisma, her rapport with the audience and her perfectionism. Audiences are captivated as much by her power as by her courageous use of soft play.

"You would have to search a long time to find a comparable ability and personality. Ragna Schirmer has a huge amount to say", the Berlin Philharmonic magazine.

Ragna Schirmer made her début at the Salzburg Festival in summer 2005 with the Camerata Salzburg conducted by Sir Roger Norrington.

Among her many credits to date, she has performed with the Munich Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta, the Gürzenich Orchestra under Andrey Boreyko, the Gewandhaus Orchestra under Herbert Blomstedt and the German Chamber Philharmonic of Bremen. In addition to her solo appearances, she has a special love of chamber music and has performed with the cellist Michael Sanderling and the Gewandhaus Quartet among others. Her CDs have won many awards and excellent reviews throughout Europe. She received the Echo Classic award for her Haydn album, while “Etude Fantasy” was named Audiophile CD of the Year.

Ragna Schirmer trained under the best teachers, with Professor Kämmerling in Hanover and Professor Ringeissen in Paris. She completed her studies with top marks and as a teenager was already displaying her evident ability in various competitions. She has won 15 first prizes in her young career, resulting in invitations to perform at leading music festivals - she has been invited back repeatedly to the MDR Music Summer and the Ruhr Piano Festival, to name but two.

At the age of 28, Ragna was offered a chair at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Mannheim.