Exhibition
Hermann Hesse’s long relationship with Oriental cultures, mainly concerned China and India, yet, even though Japan remained in the shadow, a red thread runs through several topics on Japan throughout his work and life. Later in life Hermann Hesse will study in depth this spiritual world, in particular Zen Buddhism, that so much fascinated and infl uenced him. At the beginning of the 20th century, his books start to be translated in Japan, and will soon reach millions of copies. After the USA, Japan is the non-German-speaking country where most books by Hermann Hesse are sold. What mostly attract Japanese readers are the keen descriptions of teenagers’ problems, and Hesse’s refl ections on nature and aging.
Concept: Eva Zimmermann
Scientific support: Ulrike Schlack
Vernissage: Easter Saturday, 31 March 2018, 18.30
Reading and music
In the frame of the town twinning the city of Calw presents a Reading of a short story by Hesse, where he describes the autumn harvest of apples and pears and the production of fruit juice in his hometown.
With Antonio Ballerio (Italian) and Annette Franziska Ku?hn (German).
Musical accompaniment: Andreas Hiller (10-string guitar) and Christoph Kieser (transverse fl ute).
Concept: Herbert Schnierle-Lutz.
In Italian and German; admission free.
Illustrated Lecture
by Eva Eberwein
The 35-year-old Maria Bernoulli married the 26-year-old Hermann Hesse and together they moved to Gaienhofen on the Lake Constance, where they led a simple, rural life. What made this woman feel that this brittle, fragile young man was the suitable match for her? Where did she come from? What were her ambitions? This lecture gives a vivid description of the different phases of Mia Bernoulli’s life.
Musical accompaniment: Caroline Doerge (piano).
Admission free; voluntary donations.
With the support of the Geschwister Kahl Stftung, Zurich and the Internationale Hermann Hesse-Gesellschaft.
Documentary film by Werner Weick
In the frame of the town twinning, the Municipality of Collina d’Oro presents itself to Hermann Hesse’s hometown with a film that was also shown at EXPO Milano 2015, a lyrical and moving documentary telling about the charming beauty of those places in Ticino which so much inspired Hermann Hesse’s work. The film is based on Regina Bucher’s book Mit Hermann Hesse durchs Tessin.
After the film, Werner Weick and Regina Bucher will meet the audience for a discussion.
In German, admission free.
Knulp, published in 1915, is the story of a likeable outsider who prefers a wandering life to a sedentary one. The chapter My recollections of Knulp, was the fi rst book by Hermann Hesse to be published in Japan, with the title Tomo (My friend), and will be presented on the occasion of the commemoration of the 56th anniversy of the author’s death and the current exhibition on Hesse’s reception in Japan.
With Antonio Ballerio (Italian) and Rudolf Cornelius (German).
Musical accompaniment: Maria Luisa Montano (fipple fl ute).
In German and Italian: admission free
Watercolour course
Meeting place: Museum Hermann Hesse, Montagnola,
Friday 3 August, 10.00
With Lisa Kölbi-Thiele (www.lisa-kölbi-thiele.de). This varied course is suitable for both beginners and advanced
painters, it offers theory and practical introductions to the watercolour technique, as well as plein air painting.
7–12 partecipants; in Italian and German.
Enrolment before 15 July 2018
Course fees Fr. 300.-
Enrolment and information: PDF (italian) PDF (german)
Concert
Marco Santilli, a Ticinese composer well known in the musical scene of the German-speaking part of Switzerland, has built a bridge towards South with his compositions and his new quartett «Che Roba». The four musicians have created a universe of reminiscents of Hermann Hesse, of melodies inspired by dialect poems, skillfully interwoven ballads, Jazz traditions and improvisations.
With Marco Santilli (clarinet, bass clarinet, compositions), Lorenzo Frizzera (twelve-string acustic guitar), Ivan Tibolla (piano, accordion) and Fulvio Maras (percussion).
In collaboration with Ceresio Estate; admission free.
Ulrike Schlack, Japan expert, has been working for years as translater and interpreter, and has been helding successful seminars for companies dealing with Japan, where she imparts Europeans a detailled knowledge and tactfulness for their Japanese business partners, in order to avoid dropping any unpleasant cultural clangers.
As scientifi c collaborater of the current exhibition at the Museum Hermann Hesse, she will give an amusing glance into this Far Eastern country, through anectodes about her daily as well as professional life when approaching different cultures.
In German; admission Fr.10.-/8.-
With the support of Geschwister Kahl Stiftung, Zurich.
On the occasion of the International Museum Day, the Trio Torello will perform some Lieder after texts by Hermann Hesse, composed by his musician friends, Volkmar Andreae and Othmar Schoeck. The programme also includes pieces by J. S. Bach and W. A. Mozart, among Hermann Hesse’s favourite composers, as well as music by M. Ravel and G. Donizetti.
With Valentina Londino (mezzosoprano), Tommaso Maria Maggiolini (flute) and Nicolas Mottini (piano).
Admission free to Museum and concert on the occasion of the International Museum Day.
Hermann Hesse’s novella Das Nachtpfauenauge, which investigates the internal confl icts and feelings of guilt of an
adolescent, is read in Japanese middle schools and for many Japanese people this book represents the first approach to Hesse. Adults, on the other hand, are attracted by Hesse’s thoughts on nature, such as the text Aprilbrief in the volume Hymn to Old Age, with the title Harmony of Movement and Rest. Since its latest translation in 1995, it has been one of the bestselling books in Japan.
Reading: Antonio Ballerio (Italian) and Ernst Süss (German).
Koto musical accompaniment (Japanese string instrument): Tomoko Bücher-Otaki
In Italian and German, admission Fr. 15.-/10.-
Collina d’Oro primary school students ( classes 4b and 5b) have explored the fascinating world of Haiku, a traditional form of Japanese poetry. They have composed and illustrated Haikus inspired by Hermann Hesse, and will be showing them in an exhibition. The students, with the help of some experts, have personally conceived, curated and installed the exhibition at the Museum Hermann Hesse.
Opening: Thursday 8 February 2018, 18.00
Reading
In this popular literary event, Anna Ruchat entertains her guest, the writer Chandra Livia Candiani with a lively conversation presenting her works. The author will read a selection of her poems.
In Italian; free entrance.
In this popular literary event, Anna Ruchat entertains her guest, the writer Antonio Moresco with a lively conversation presenting her works. The author will read a selection of his textes.
Museum Hermann Hesse Montagnola
16th April 2017 — 1st February 2018
The poet and writer Hermann Hesse was very fond of classical music, which he considered a life-enriching art and a fine complement to the world of words. To his circle of friends belonged the three composers and conductors Volkmar Andreae (1879- 1962), Fritz Brun (1878-1959), and Othmar Schoeck (1886-1957).
The exhibition shows personal documents that belonged to these four artists: letters, photographs, poems by Hermann Hesse set to music, published collections of memories, dedications, as well as concert posters and images illustrating the world of classical music in Bern and Zurich from the 1910s to the 1930s.
Concept: Dr. Eva Zimmermann
Opening: Easter Saturday, 15 April, 18.30.
In this popular literary event, Anna Ruchat entertains her guest, the writer Domenico Brancale, with a lively conversation presenting her works.In Italian; free entrance.
Documentary
The Monte Verità visits the Museum Hermann Hesse Montagnola. A biographical documentary about the utopian world of ideas of Harald Szeemann, who has revolutionized the way art is exhibited. The film has been shown at a number of international festivals and can now be seen again in Ticino on October 21, at the Museum Hermann Hesse in Montagnola, in collaboration with the Monte Verità in Ascona.
Introduction: Ambra Stazzone (concept), Giorgio Marino (director)
In Italian (with English subtitles);
Admission 15.- Fr./10.- Fr.
The Glass Beads Game, published in 1943, is considered the great late work of Hermann Hesse. Castalia, a province of the spirit guided by an order, is described here, where the play of glass beads that has developed over the centuries with the interaction of the most diverse sciences and arts is practiced.
With Antonio Ballerio (Italian) and Ernst Süss (German).
Conception and percussion: Edith Salmen.
In Italian and German; entry: Fr. 15 .- / Fr. 10.-
Symphonic Orchestra of the Conservatory of South Switzerland.Orchestra conducting: Marc Andreae; Violin: Klaidi Sahatci.
Compositions by Volkmar Andreae, Fritz Brun and Othmar Schoeck, longtime friends of Hermann Hesse, with whom he shared his passion for music. They will be also performed pieces by Alexander Borodin and Maurice Ravel.
In collaboration with Ceresio Estate; free entry.
Other performances: 23 September in Pontresina(Kongresszentrum) and September 24th in Altdorf (Theater Uri).
Reading and music.
A report through poetry and truth.
With Noëlle Grüebler (violin), Andrea Wiesli (piano), Graziella Rossi and Helmut Vogel (voice).
In German.
Meeting place: Hermann Hesse Museum Montagnola,
Friday 11 August 2018, 10.00
With Lisa Kölbi-Thiele (www.lisa-kölbi-thiele.de).
The varied course is suitable for both beginners and advanced painters, it offers theory and practical introductions to the watercolour technique, through plein air painting.