Philosophical think tank
Objective
The Nikolaus Harnoncourt Zentrum establishes a cultural-philosophical think tank curated by Florian Boesch. Nikolaus Harnoncourt was not only a musician but also a great thinker on the social issues of our time and never missed an opportunity to point out to politicians or other decision-makers the shortcomings in education and cultural life. Nikolaus Harnoncourt saw the promotion of artistic understanding and artistic sensibility in all social strata as one of the most important tasks of cultural policy, a task whose fulfilment he demanded as a human right for all. In this sense, Nikolaus Harnoncourt made it clear in a review of his life’s work for performers and receptive listeners alike: not complacent enjoyment, but lifelong work is necessary in order to be able to answer the questions about what remains in art with Robert Musil: ‘We, as the changed, remain.’
For these events, Florian Boesch will invite personalities of our time to discuss current burning issues. These symposia or panel discussions take place in St. Georgen im Attergau and are streamed online.
Dates
First think tank discussion: “What is labour/work?” – Wolfram Eilenberger
The first topic of the Think Tank on 4 May 2024, 11.00 a.m. was ‘What is labour/work? – The importance of art and culture as work for society’. This question, which preoccupied Harnoncourt greatly, is relevant for people worldwide and at all times. Philosopher Wolfram Eilenberger and Prof Florian Boesch discussed this topic, moderated by Judith Hoffmann.
Second think tank discussion: Investigative singing and poetic proof – Peter Sloterdijk
Peter Sloterdijk in conversation with Florian Boesch. 10 May 2025 at 11 am
As part of the International Nikolaus Harnoncourt Days
Panel discussion on the topic of ‘Investigative singing and poetic proof’
Florian Boesch, curator of the Denkwerkstatt: ‘Everything that can be thought at all can be thought clearly. Everything that can be expressed can be expressed clearly. Much that can be said can be said poetically. Some things can only be said poetically. And what you can’t talk about, you can sing about.’
Nikolaus Harnoncourt: ‘Art is a different language, always beyond the practical, often beyond the logical; one of its foundations of thought is the imagination, perhaps the “thinking of the heart” as Pascal contrasts it with logic, “arithmetical” thinking.’
FREE ADMISSION
The event will be streamed live.
First think tank discussion: “What is labour/work?” – Wolfram Eilenberger
The first topic of the Think Tank on 4 May 2024, 11.00 a.m. was ‘What is labour/work? – The importance of art and culture as work for society’. This question, which preoccupied Harnoncourt greatly, is relevant for people worldwide and at all times. Philosopher Wolfram Eilenberger and Prof Florian Boesch discussed this topic, moderated by Judith Hoffmann.
Second think tank discussion: Investigative singing and poetic proof – Peter Sloterdijk
Peter Sloterdijk in conversation with Florian Boesch. 10 May 2025 at 11 am
As part of the International Nikolaus Harnoncourt Days
Panel discussion on the topic of ‘Investigative singing and poetic proof’
Florian Boesch, curator of the Denkwerkstatt: ‘Everything that can be thought at all can be thought clearly. Everything that can be expressed can be expressed clearly. Much that can be said can be said poetically. Some things can only be said poetically. And what you can’t talk about, you can sing about.’
Nikolaus Harnoncourt: ‘Art is a different language, always beyond the practical, often beyond the logical; one of its foundations of thought is the imagination, perhaps the “thinking of the heart” as Pascal contrasts it with logic, “arithmetical” thinking.’
FREE ADMISSION
The event will be streamed live.