Moritz Puschke: Transformed the Musicfest ION
For more than 70 years, the “International Organ Week” has taken place in Nuremberg. Since the beginnings in 1951, much has changed. Not only the name has been transformed into "Musicfest ION", but also the musical direction. Musicfest ION is more than only classical church music – the main person responsible for this is the current festival director Moritz Puschke, who has given us a glimpse of his work for the festival in an interview.
The International Organ Week was developed a few years after the end of the war – what were these beginnings like?
“In the 1950s, Nuremberg was in the midst of reconstruction after World War II. To call a festival into life at this time might seem at first glance to be a contradiction, yet the pioneer spirit that developed after the war in the city was impressive. To allow music to ring through the churches again was a special symbol of optimism and strength. True to the motto: When the organ plays again, you know things are going somewhere. You can still feel this Nuremberg spirit today.”
What has changed musically since then?
“The acronym in our name 'ION' – that still stand for International Organ Week Nuremberg, but in principle genre-wise everything is possible. Contrary to expectations, in Nuremberg’s churches there is a lot of artistic freedom. The cooperation between the musicians and our partners is based completely on trust and the program doesn’t have to first be blessed by the pastors. We speak about music in churches and that is something different than classic church music. One can also have a spiritual experience listening to “Knockin’ on heaven’s door” from Bob Dylan, sung by Wolfgang Niedecken (BAP). With this outlook, we have expanded our program and have become more interesting for many new visitors – some of them come into a church for the first time.”
What makes the Musicfest ION so special?
“ION is not only an emotional experience for attendees, but also for the artists. A performance in Nuremberg’s churches is simply unparalleled – after all, one doesn’t play every day in such an impressive sacred setting. The special acoustics is not the only attraction. A performance in a church is simply inspiring and can’t be compared to anything else. One notices how the entire attitude of the musicians changes. The program is both acoustically and content-wise completely in tune with a particular concert – the performances are literally once in a lifetime.”
So a visit is also worthwhile for non-Christian music fans?
“One doesn’t have to believe in God to attend concerts in Nuremberg’s churches. The doors are open for everyone. Churches are not only a place of religion, but also a place of gathering, of comfort, of assurance and of dialogue. Music can strengthen that even more. The high, thick walls of the church not only create a special acoustic inside, but also don’t let in the noise from outside. That makes churches an island of peace in the center of a loud city.”
One can feel your passion and creativity as we speak – what goals do you have for the future?
“True, I have more ideas than I could ever bring to fruition. My absolute dream for the ION is to have Billy Joel play in St. Sebald. I live according to the motto 'Dream Big'. I work gladly against trends and fixed standards – but whatever I put together, it has to reach people, touch them!”
All About: Moritz Puschke
Born in a Protestant parsonage in Rendsburg and raised in Limburg/Lahn and Bremen, the cultural entrepreneur and musician Moritz Puschke spent many years in Berlin and has lived with his family in Nuremberg since 2021. He served as dramaturge and music manager for the Alsfelder Vokalensemble and at the Bremer Dom and has focused intensively on sacred music. He has curated and organized various festivals, including the Bremen Bach Weeks, several German choir festivals, as well as the annual (since 2011) Radialsystem V Festival CHOR@BERLIN. Moritz Puschke was a member of the presidium of the German Music Council and managing editor of the trade journal “Chorzeit – das Vokalmagazin” and managing director of the German Choir Association. In this role he initiated the chor.com and was its artistic director from 2009-2019. He works regularly for radio and television and as a publicist and educator.
Since 2019, Moritz Puschke has created the program of the Musicfest ION, first as artistic director and, since 2021, as managing director and intendant.
