This year, I had the privilege of studying with Beat Furrer in Graz. From the very first moment I stepped in his classroom, I was struck by its international shape. Out of a group of thirty students in an Austrian institution, only one was actually Austrian. It was immediately clear that Furrer’s reputation extends far beyond national borders, attracting talented composers from all over the world. The level of musicianship in the room was extraordinary—a testament to the impact of Beat’s teaching.
Then, of course, there is Beat… What is immediately noticeable upon meeting him is his deep passion and knowledge of music. He never just reads a score; he immerses himself in it completely, singing every single voice as he goes through it. His knowledge is vast, his musicianship inspiring, and—what is often rare among famous composers—he is an incredibly kind and generous person. His presence exudes warmth, making it easy to understand why so many students travel great distances to learn from him.
But one of the most unique aspects of my lessons with him has been our unconventional classroom: the train. As we both live in Vienna, Beat suggested we use our travel time for our sessions. The idea immediately appealed to me; it allowed me to spend my days in Graz observing other students’ lessons and absorbing as much as possible, and then get two full hours of focused coaching during our train rides back. Those rides also gave us plenty of room for philosophical discussions about music, creativity, and existence itself—adding a touch of magic to each journey.
Interestingly, after just a few weeks, Beat became convinced that he had known me for two years already, after having met me in Venice. I had to assure him more than once that this was not the case. Perhaps it was simply a reflection of how quickly we connected, or maybe it says something about my personality. Either way, it was both funny and endearing.
As I write this, I am putting the finishing touches on a violin duo—a tarantella. The piece is infused with the rhythms and melodies of my hometown, and I am quite happy with the way it has come together. I hope that one day soon, you will have the chance to hear it.
Studying with Beat has been an experience unlike any other. It has been a year of intense learning, deep musical engagement, and unexpected but cherished moments—whether in the classroom, on the train, or through the notes of my own compositions. And those train rides—the lessons, the conversations, the music—will stay with me forever.
The cover photo (2014) is by David Furrer.