Of Cool Strings and Young Classical Musicians

What is your passion in life? The answer to this question often lies in your own personal life story. That’s how it is with Angelika Bachmann and Iris Siegfried, too: and it’s no coincidence that the two violinists and founder members of the quartet Salut Salon have for over 20 years flexed their musical muscle for children and young musicians. Their undying commitment definitely has something to do with the thing that they always wondered about as young children: why do we play in competitions to score points? Why do grown-ups put so much pressure on kids to learn a musical instrument? Why does everybody have to be professional musician? “We were convinced that children can experience music in a completely different way,” Angelika Bachmann said, “by having fun!”

Angelika Bachmann and Iris Siegfried were awarded in 2011 the German Presidential Service Medal of Honour at Schloss Bellevue in Berlin for their contribution to society.