Helping to heal through music

The celebrated German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter (pictured) will donate the fees from her Sunday concert in Shanghai to Sichuan earthquake disaster relief efforts through the German Red Cross.

"My heart goes out to the families and friends who have suffered so much personal loss in the Sichuan earthquake. I believe in a world, in which all people are bound together by the spirit of humanity," said Mutter, in a release issued by the German Red Cross. "I hope my donation and my music brings both help and solace to the thousands in grief and I hope musicians around the world join me in assisting the relief efforts."

Today and tomorrow, Mutter and the Trondheim Soloists from Norway will give two concerts at the National Center for The Performing Arts in Beijing. The program includes Bartok's Divertimento for Strings, Bach's Violin Concerto No 2 and Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

"The sad news of the earthquake has cast a cloud over my tour to China. I believe the whole world is praying for the victims and their families," the violinist said.

"I hope my concert will be a prayer in church. The orchestra and I will pray for the victims and their families and wish them to recover from the disaster soon," she added. "People can find solace in music when they suffer disaster or lose beloved ones. This inspires me to make good music."

Mutter also emphasized that musicians have a social responsibility in addition to making music. She is committed to donating to charity events directed at helping the old, young, disabled along with others in need of help.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/27/2008 page19)