Here we go: my first post ever, marking a new phase in my life. For the past 30 years, I have devoted myself primarily to science, but in a search for my destiny I recently decided to scale back my personal scientific career starting this summer to create space for music. Twenty years ago I graduated as a pianist at the conservatory, but unfortunately it proved impossible afterwards to combine science and music at a professional level. However, last year I made a comeback as concert pianist, and this past spring I gave concerts as a harpsichordist for the first time in 30 years. These concerts revealed that my heart for music is larger than ever.
It was the most difficult decision of my career, but now the time has come to follow my heart. Since July, I have reduced my academic appointment as professor and group leader to 0.45 FTE. This symbolic shift gives me, for the first time in my life, more time for music than for science, although I will continue contributing to science from a broader perspective. This process feels unfamiliar and uncertain, but my heart leaps at the prospect of upcoming concerts and musical projects. In this transition, I feel inspired by the old saying that it is the journey that matters, not the destination. I am very much looking forward tot his journey, which feels like a hike into beautiful nature but without Google Maps.
In the coming period, I will create a personal website, post new YouTube-videos on my channel (feel free to subscribe if you would like to be updated), and prepare for upcoming concerts this fall.
More information about these concerts can be found here — you’re warmly invited!
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