![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mdw.ac.at\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/isaDigital_Facebook-21-1024x379.jpg\")
<\/a>Even if isa\u2019s 2020 focus on heroism might initially strike one as anachronistic, the fact is that the celebration and\/or rejection of heroes is an immanent part of cultural systems. An ongoing search for guiding figures sees individuals from politics and various sports stylised as heroes, while the term \u201ceveryday heroes\u201d is reserved for those working as firefighters and rescue personnel. And then there are the \u201csuperheroes\u201d, who seem never to go extinct: Spiderman, Catwoman, Captain Marvel, and the rest continue to conquer cinematic screens and children\u2019s bedrooms. But as J\u00fcrgen Habermas once stated, \u201cwhenever \u2018heroes\u2019 are honoured the question arises as to who needs them and why.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 8th edition of the international research conference isaScience will be conducting critical enquiries into \u201cHeroes.Cults.Canons\u201d. And in an artistic reflection of these enquiries, isa as a whole will be shedding light on this year\u2019s theme in its masterclasses, workshops, and\u2014of course!\u2014concert programmes.<\/p>\n
The musical year of 2020 is upon us with its exhaustive focus on music history\u2019s quintessential hero: Ludwig van Beethoven, whom the 19th century placed on a pedestal and worshipped, after which he was then frequently toppled from and restored to said pedestal during the century that followed. Our own aim is to reflect on this year\u2019s jubilarian from the most varied perspectives. At isa, Beethoven\u2019s oeuvre is to be situated within music history\u2019s major developmental strands and interpretive traditions. Important impulses will be provided by internationally leading experts\u2014such as Alfred Brendel and Clive Brown in terms of performance practice, David Dolan where improvisation is concerned, and Hyung-ki Joo when it comes to humoristic and performative aspects. And Stefan Gottfried, head of the mdw\u2019s newly formed Department of Early Music beginning in October 2020 and also artistic director of Concentus Musicus Wien, will add his own accent in the form of a Handel project entitled \u201cBeethoven\u2019s Hero\u201d, thus strengthening the presence of early music at isa.<\/p>\n
With all of the above, isa20 will be making its very own contribution to a multi-layered and colourful notion of Beethoven while also dealing with concepts of representation and rebellion in and through music. isa has repeatedly dealt with socially relevant topics in its concerts and courses\u2014with themes including \u201c1912 \u2013 Fall and Rise\u201d in 2012, \u201cTimes of Change\u201d in 2014, and \u201cMusic and Democracy\u201d in 2018. And isa\u2019s 30 years of existence attest to its sustainability as a project that reinvents itself anew year after year and has developed continually since its founding in 1991. Which leaves only one thing left to be said: the warmest congratulations, and here\u2019s to the next 30 years!<\/p>\n
isa \u2013 30th International Summer Academy of the mdw \u2013 University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna*<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>