Das Profil - SommerMusikAkademie Schloss Hundisburg

About us

Idea

Who we are...

The SummerMusicAcademy Hundisburg Castle offers musical diversity at the highest level: It is here that groovy jazz, extraordinary chamber music and rousing classical-romantic orchestral repertoire meet. The special locations at and around Hundisburg Castle give the SummerMusicAcademy its unique atmosphere.

Every year for about ten days, the region around the baroque castle becomes the meeting place for young musicians from many different nations. In the Academy Orchestra of the SMA, they rapidly grow together to form a homogeneous body of sound. The audience joins them in innovative concert formats: In the Lecture Concert, the Walking Concert and the Final Concert in the castle barn, the orchestra and conductor share their musical joy and passion with the audience.

... and what makes us special:

I. Besondere Orte
Schlossscheune, Hauptsaal, Alte Fabrik, Ziegelei... Einzigartige Spielstätten schaffen einzigartige Konzerterlebnisse. Darüber hinaus erkunden wir im Wandelkonzert immer neue Lokalitäten und wollen damit auch bei Menschen, die sonst seltener ins Konzert gehen, Neugier wecken.

II. Die Musiker – jung und exzellent
Die auftretenden Musikerinnen und Musiker sind jung und spielen auf höchstem Niveau. Im Meisterkurs unterrichten junge Meister*innen ihre jüngeren Kolleg*innen, das Orchester besteht aus Studierenden aus der ganzen Welt und die Solisten stehen am Beginn einer großen Karriere.

III. Internationalität
Eine ländliche Region in der Mitte Deutschlands wird zum kulturellen Schmelztiegel des internationalen Musiknachwuchses; sie wird zum Schauplatz von Völkerverständigung.

IV. Nähe zwischen Publikum und Musikern
Ob Wandelkonzert oder Gesprächskonzert – in unkonventionellen Konzertformaten entsteht eine Nähe zwischen den Musizierenden und dem Publikum, die ihresgleichen sucht. Die Menschen im Publikum spüren, dass mit »ihrer SMA« ein Festival für Sie gemacht wird.

Event Series

Master Concert

In 2017, the SMA successfully resumed the masterclass-format. Ever since, a young master teaches upcoming musicians once a year at Castle Hundisburg. The »Meisterkonzert« gives the audience the opportunity to hear a program presented by the teacher of the masterclasses in the academy hall.

Masterclass Podium

In celebration of the 25th jubilee of the SummerMusicAcademy, the masterclass series was reintroduced. The masterclasses culminate in a final performance at the Masterclass Podium, where the participants present the fruits of their labour.

Serenade in the Gardens

All of the Academy’s musicians come together at the Serenade in the Gardens – it is chamber music at its best. This concert is a great indicator of what is yet to come, and the fantastic level of quality audiences can expect of that year’s academy. Come join us to get into the SMA mood at Hundisburg Castle.

Candlelight Concert

In honour of the 25th SummerMusicAcademy, a new musical format was introduced in 2017. In the Candlelight Concert series, audiences can experience music more intensely in the candle-lit main hall of the castle, late in the evening. This breathtaking atmosphere contributes to the performances of several artists blending seamlessly into one musical collage. Everyone is invited to enjoy the beautiful illuminations in the baroque garden after the concert.

Promenade Concert

Travels through space and time – through music history and the venue’s history: Members of the International Academy Orchestra can be found performing in chamber music ensembles across the castle grounds. The audience walks from one performance spot to the next, at each stop receiving an introduction about the history of the place as well as the music. This format allows for the audience, artists, and art to be in close proximity in a beautiful and unique setting. It embodies all of the ideas behind the academy, continuously helping not only the musicians to grow, but also the audiences as well as the region.

The Exceptional Concert

Unparalleled performances, paired with the impressive atmosphere of the venue, combine for one-of-a-kind musical experiences at the Exceptional Concert series.

Lecture Concert

Das Gesprächskonzert ist – nach den kammermusikalischen Wandelkonzerten – die erste Begegnung des Publikums mit dem jungen, neu formierten Orchester und seit seinen Anfängen der Geheimtipp unter den Veranstaltungen der SMA. Die Musik des Abschlusskonzerts ist hier erstmals zu hören. Durch Erläuterungen werden plötzlich Dinge hörbar, die zuvor verborgen waren. Durch Verstehen wird der Genuss verstärkt. Mit den ausführlichen wie kurzweiligen Einführungen des Dirigenten Friedrich Praetorius kann sich das Publikum aller Generationen auf eine musikalische Reise ins Innere der Stücke begeben – eine Brille für die Ohren ...

Jazz Night Open Air

The Jazz Night Open Air in the yard of the old brick factory adds an unusual and colourful facet to an otherwise classical program of the SommerMusicAcademy. Where bricks are made by hand on a daily basis according to tradition, the sound of jazz reverberates once a year, delighting audiences.

Final Concerts

The Final Concert of the International Academy Orchestra is the undisputed highlight of the SMA. After a week of intense rehearsing, the orchestra presents a musically impressive feat: In a matter of only a few days complete strangers from different backgrounds and cultures all over the world have become friends, have formed a homogenous body of sound, have grown so close that they breathe, feel, and easily perform music together. Witness how bridges are built through music in the uniquely beautiful atmosphere of the castle barn.

Artistic Direction

Friedrich Praetorius

Exceptional and remarkable - there is no other way to describe the development of the young conductor Friedrich Praetorius. Immediately after completing his studies at the Franz Liszt University of Music Weimar, he was appointed Kapellmeister and assistant to Donald Runnicles at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in the 2024/25 season. There he conducts productions such as La Bohème, La Traviata, Rigoletto, Hansel und Gretel, The Magic Flute and Il Barbiere di Siviglia. In the 2025/26 season, performances of Don Carlo, Madame Butterfly and Carmen will be added. To kick off the new season at the Deutsche Oper, Praetorius will conduct a whole series of opening concerts, including excerpts from Turandot. As a student of Nicolás Pasquet and Ekhart Wycik in Weimar and at the Conservatorio di Milano Giuseppe Verdi with Daniele Agiman, Friedrich Praetorius was already engaged as Kapellmeister at the German National Theatre Weimar and at the Chemnitz Theatre, where he conducted new productions of Der Silbersee, Sleepless and Rigoletto. He has also conducted performances at the State Theatre Coburg, the National Theatre Meiningen and the Conservatorio di Giuseppe Verdi Milano as well as the Musikalische Komödie Leipzig. He has assisted at the Leipzig Opera, where he is conducting Hansel and Gretel this season. In the current season, he will be working with the Staatskapelle Weimar, Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, Mecklenburgische Staatskapelle Schwerin, Württembergische Philharmonie and Rheinische Philharmonie, further expanding his symphonic repertoire. Practical collaborations have also taken him to the WDR and MDR Symphony Orchestras, the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, the Stuttgart Philharmonic, the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi. He is already gaining valuable experience as a festival director: Praetorius has been Artistic Director of the ‘SommerMusikAkademie Schloss Hundisburg’ in Saxony-Anhalt since 2023. Friedrich Praetorius is a prize winner at the prestigious international German Conducting Award 2025. He has also attracted attention with several first prizes at national and international competitions, including the 10th Competition for Opera Conductors Orvieto (Italy). He is apprizewinner at CAMPUS DIRIGIEREN 2022 and has been supported by the German Music Council's Forum Dirigieren concert funding programme since 2023. Important impulses for his artistic development came from Marc Albrecht, Christian Thielemann, Johannes Schlaefli, Ole Kristian Ruud, Arthur Fagen and Stefan Blunier. Born into a family of musicians in Lutherstadt Wittenberg in 1996 and raised in Leipzig from the age of nine, Friedrich Praetorius received his first musical training in the St Thomas Boys' Choir. In addition to singing, piano and cello lessons, this later included conducting lessons, which he was able to put into practice at a very young age in his work with the choir. His time with the St Thomas Boys' Choir shaped him as a person and musician: a self-confident, enthusiastic team player with a special understanding of vocal requirements.
Schon als Student bei Nicolás Pasquet und Ekhart Wycik in Weimar sowie am Conservatorio di Milano Giuseppe Verdi bei Daniele Agiman war Friedrich Praetorius als Kapellmeister am Deutschen Nationaltheater Weimar und am Theater Chemnitz engagiert, wo er Neuproduktionen von Der Silbersee, Sleepless und Rigoletto leitete. Auch am Landestheater Coburg, am Meininger Staatstheater und am Conservatorio di Giuseppe Verdi Milano sowie an der Musikalischen Komödie Leipzig hat er bereits Vorstellungen dirigiert. Hinzu kamen Assistenzen und Korrepetitionen an der Oper Leipzig, wo er in dieser Saison Hänsel und Gretel leitet.
In der aktuellen Saison wird er außerdem mit der Staatskapelle Weimar, dem Beethoven Orchester Bonn, der Mecklenburgischen Staatskapelle Schwerin, der Württembergischen und der Rheinischen Philharmonie arbeiten und dabei sein sinfonisches Repertoire weiter vergrößern. Praktische Zusammenarbeiten führten ihn auch zum WDR und MDR Sinfonieorchester, zum Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, zu den Stuttgarter Philharmonikern, zur Karajan-Akademie der Berliner Philharmoniker und zum Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi.
Auch als Festivalchef sammelt er bereits wertvolle Erfahrungen: Seit 2023 ist Praetorius künstlerischer Leiter der “SommerMusikAkademie Schloss Hundisburg” in Sachsen-Anhalt.
Friedrich Praetorius ist Preisträger beim renommierten, international ausgelobten German Conducting Award 2025. Auch bei weiteren nationalen wie internationalen Dirigierwettbewerben machte er mehrfach auf sich aufmerksam, unter anderem mit dem ersten Preis beim 10. Wettbewerb für Operndirigenten in Orvieto (Italien). Er ist Preisträger beim CAMPUS DIRIGIEREN 2022 und erhält seit 2023 zudem die Konzertförderung Forum Dirigieren des Deutschen Musikrates.
Wichtige Impulse bekam er durch Marc Albrecht, Christian Thielemann, Johannes Schlaefli, Ole Kristian Ruud, Arthur Fagen und Stefan Blunier.
1996 in Lutherstadt Wittenberg in eine Musikerfamilie geboren und ab dem neunten Lebensjahr in Leipzig aufgewachsen, erhielt Friedrich Praetorius seine erste musikalische Ausbildung im Thomanerchor. Diese beinhaltete neben Gesangs-, Klavier- und Cello-Stunden später auch Dirigierunterricht, den er in sehr jungem Alter in der Arbeit mit dem Chor gleich praktisch anwenden konnte. Die Zeit bei den Thomanern hat ihn als Mensch und Musiker geprägt: Ein selbstbewusster, begeisternder Teamplayer mit besonderem Verständnis für sängerische Anforderungen.

KULTUR-Landschaft Haldensleben-Hundisburg e.V.

The sponsor of the Summer Music Academy is the KULTUR-Landschaft Haldensleben-Hundisburg e.V.

The purpose of the association is to research, repair, maintain and preserve Hundisburg Castle with its baroque garden, the Althaldensleben-Hundisburg Landscape Park as well as parts of the landscape and buildings that are connected to the aforementioned cultural monuments in terms of design and / or content, as well as to put them to primarily cultural use and to present them to the public and make them accessible in a suitable manner.

For this purpose, the association has been in the necessary contractual agreements with the owner, the city of Haldensleben, and the users of the aforementioned cultural monuments since 1995 and carries out the research, monument preservation measures, events and publications necessary to achieve the purpose, as well as all constantly occurring care, management and maintenance measures on the objects within the framework of the resources available to it.

The association strives for the content-related and financial support of its projects by third parties, as well as for the cooperation with suitable partners locally and beyond, as far as this is reasonable for the achievement of the association's purpose.