Goethe: Musical Poet, Musical Catalyst

«It was a great pleasure both to host and to participate in an international conference that brought together musicologists, composers, performers, and literary artists in stimulating and thought-provoking discourse. The collaboration of our colleagues from Queen's University, Belfast, was particularly welcome and appreciated; they, together with distinguished international Goethians, contributed much to what was a unique 36 hours of intellectual and artistic dialogue.»

Professor Gerard Gillen, Chair of Music, National University of Ireland Maynooth & Titular Organist of Dublin's Pro-Cathedral



«Goethe's influence on the musical world is far reaching. While it seems impossible to grasp the full extent of his legacy, a sense of optimism was in the air at the Maynooth conference where we were entertained by a series of highly stimulating papers and concerts, exploring some fascinating details of Goethe's world and his unique contributions to music. It was indeed a rare opportunity to have had such a wonderful mix of scholarly exchanges on a literary giant, Goethe, who continues to enrich our lives through his creative output.»

Dr Yo Tomita, Reader in Music, Queen's University Belfast



«I have long been conscious of the modernity of much of Goethe's writing and aware of the very direct message it can deliver to a 21st century man or woman. In particular the characters of both Mignon and the Harper in Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre speak to us of an all-too-familiar sense of fractured identity. It was therefore with especial pleasure that I undertook the musical setting of Goethe's poems associated with these two vivid characters for performance at the conference. What a wonderful opportunity was afforded me to present a first performance of Goethe settings before an audience that included so many distinguished scholars of the great German writer!»

Seóirse Bodley, Composer and Emeritus Professor of Music,