Impressions of the Inauguration of Rector Ulrike Sych


Inauguration of mdw's new rectorate

On Monday 9 November 2015 the ceremonial inauguration of rector Ulrike Sych and her team – vice rectors Christian Meyer, Barbara Gisler-Haase, Gerda Müller and Johann Bergmann – took place at the mdw.

Accompanied by the "Danubiafanfare" by Leonhard Paul, the new rectorate moved in the university's full Joseph Haydn concert hall together with rectors of 14 other universities as well as members of the university board.

The ceremony was additionally live-streamed into the Fanny Hensel and Clara Schumann halls to enable as many people participating as possible. Overall about 500 people were attending.


Greetings and artistic contributions


The chairwoman of the university board Haide Tenner greeted the guests, followed by vice president of the university conference rector Gerald Bast, who held a short speech to rector Ulrike Sych and her team.

The first musical intermezzo "Nobles seigneurs salut" was sung by the young mezzo-soprano Miriam Albano. Afterwards mdw graduate and new "Nestroy Award"-winner Stefanie Reinsperger told the audience about her time at mdw's Max Reinhardt Seminar.


A composition as a portrait of the new rector


Following lyric by Alfred Brendel, which was presented by students of the Max Reinhardt Seminar, the Giocoso Quartet with pianist Aida Yesayan performed a movement of Schumann's piano quintet E flat major, op.44.

Also composer Heinz Karl Gruber, being a graduate of the university himself, spoke in his speech about the need for contemporary art. Afterwards the work "Sehnen" of composer Dominik Rodak was interpreted by soprano Iva Martinčević, leading to the handover of the ceremonial chain to rector Ulrike Sych. After all the work was especially dedicated to the new rector as a portrait.


Handover of rector's ceremonial chain


Haide Tenner, chair woman of the university board and Johannes Meissl, chair man of the senate, handed over the ceremonial chain to rector Ulrike Sych.

In her speech rector Ulrike Sych said that the requirement criteria for an artistic career changed dramatically worldwide in the last years:
"Artistic skills, high talent and technical perfection don't suffice any longer. These qualities are now joined by self management, marketing, networking, performance, digital knowledge and the ability to create new audiences and convey music. Scientific basic knowledge as well as artistic and scientific research has to form the base of any artistic education. This is maintained by a continuous evaluation and adaptation of curricula".

The move out of the invited guests was accompanied with a performance of the wind ensemble "Federspiel" (which was founded at the mdw) and the "South Rampert Street Parade" by Bob Haggart.