250 years after Beethoven’s death, PODIUM Esslingen has chosen twelve young musicians to examine the essential questions and structures of musical creation. What is composition? How do music and today’s technology interact? What is the future of classical music in a globalized world and what does the creation of music of the future look like?

The fellowship program named #bebeethoven was inspired by the 250^th anniversary of birth of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), one of the most innovative composers of his time.

He radically advanced artistic formats such as the symphony and chamber music and led music into a new, Romantic era and musical expression and technology. As a composer with bourgeois patrons and thus free from court formalities, Beethoven set an example of a new “business model”, allowing his political convictions to play a role in his life and his work. In so doing, Beethoven, like no other, left an imprint on musical art for generations to come.

This long-term project called #bebeethoven draws on these characteristics of Beethoven, historically, personally and politically. With this in mind, twelve fellows will explore key areas of musical creation: composition, concert design, interpretation, music and technology, performance and outernational events.