Music is sound. Sound that is induced by movement and conducted through space in all directions as waves.
This is what inspires me in my work as a musician, baroque cellist and music physiologist.
First cello lesson with Eduard Weismann (German Symphonic Orchestra) at the age of 17
Studies at HfM Dresden with Ramon Jaffé and Prof. Ludger Rémy
Diploma in orchestral music, Violoncello in 2006
Studies at UdK Berlin with Prof. Phoebe Carrai and Markus Möllenbeck
Diploma for Baroque Cello, Ancient Music in 2011
Postgraduate lessons with Lynn Harrel, Prof. Peter Bruns and Heidi Gröger
Engaged in body work since 2006 (Feldenkrais, Heinrich Jacoby, Aikido), Aikido 3. Dan 2018 Aikikai Tokio
Certified music physiologist since 2013 at Kurt-Singer-Institut Berlin
Since 2006 teaching cello, privately and at various music schools, for example MS Fanny Hensel Berlin-Mitte
Since 2013 teaching music physiology, individual lessons and workshops, for example Landesmusikakademie Sachsen Anhalt, C.P.E. Bach Musikgymnasium Berlin, Thüringer music school forum, Goethe Center Santa Cruz Bolivia, Academy for Music Berlin, Music and Art Private University of the City of Vienna
Cooperation with several baroque orchestras, as L’Arco Hannover, Göttinger Barockorchester, Elbipolis Barockorchester, Concerto Brandenburg, Sächsisches Barockorchester, Aris & Aulis and Lautten Compagney Berlin
Participation in various ensembles, as Trio Fado, Njamy Sitson Trio, Theater Morgenstern, O.Ton Project, Siwan, Babylon Filmorchester Berlin
Foundation of the chamber music ensemble baroque-e-motion in 2007
Concerts at Budapester Baroque Festival 2008 / 2010, Musikinstrumenten Museum Berlin 2018, Uckermärkische Musikwochen 2019, supported by Bezirkskulturfonds Berlin Köpenick 2021
Foundation of ensemble Tres Morillas in 2016
supported by Bezirkskulturfonds Berlin Steglitz 2020
supported by Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Europa 2021 and 2023
Foundation of projects:
TangoNoTango collaboration of baroque musicians and Tango dancers, 2011
celloGalanterie a baroque cello duo, 2011
Since 2015 foundation and artistic direction of the series ImPuls of the Suite:
Julia Kursawe devotes herself here to her special interest in bringing together, arranging and composing music from a wide variety of eras and contemporary dance in a new context. She uses baroque cello and historical cello piccolo for works from the 20th and 21st centuries, or she combines the sound of cellos with beatboxing and live looping. New compositions have emerged that use dance equally as an instrument in the ensemble.
– Suite for cello and crinoline a duet for baroque cello and contemporary dance with Irene Cortina González 2015, Tour in Bolivia 2017 in collaboration with Goethe-Institut
– Suite transcription a performance for baroque cello, contemporary dance and the 3rd Suite for cello solo by J. S. Bach, produced by Julia Kursawe and Yui Kawaguchi (dance) in 2017, Dockk 11 Berlin and Schloßtheater Rheinsberg 2018
– suite MINIMALE baroque Capricci by Dall’ Abaco and minimal music by Philip Glass forms a suite for baroque cello and contemporary dance, in collaboration with Irene Cortina González, Premiere Theater im Delphi Berlin 2019
– SUITE CUBIC – Bach for baroque cello, beatbox and dance – in collaboration with Daniel Mandolini and Yui Kawaguchi 2020, 2021 in Konzerthaus Berlin at the #Freiraum initiative and 20ff festival / Thüringer Bachwochen, funded by Fonds Darstellende Künste for the revival 2022 at Villa Elisabeth in Berlin
– Suite Ricercare – Premiere on April 28, 2023 – with Ricercars from the early 16th century until 2022, for bass pommeran/dulcian, cello piccolo/baroque cello and contemporary dance – supported by the Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Europa des Landes Berlin, in cooperation with Uferstudios Berlin
– The Ensemble „ImPuls of the suite“ was supported in 2022 and will be supported in 2023 from the Musikfonds/Neustart Kultur.
Julia Kursawe lives in Berlin and is the mother of three children.
Photo © Katja Strempel