In the life’s work of Ferdinand Wolfgang Neess, his Art Nouveau collection and his music-making as a flutist played central roles. Art Nouveau was a revolutionary artistic movement, offering, through the means of art, answers for a utopian, aesthetically defined society. Around 1900, it also expressed the darker sides of existence through symbolism, with its fascination for decay, myth, and mystery. The ultimate goal was the creation of a Gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art that would dissolve the boundaries between life and art.

In this spirit, the competition seeks to build a bridge between the visual art of Art Nouveau and the music of the same period—both of which were particularly significant to its benefactor. In keeping with the vision of the Neess Collection, music and art are intended to complement and inspire each other, opening up entirely new worlds of Art Nouveau for the audience.

With the new concert series Klang Nouveau, created in collaboration with the Art Nouveau Collection at the Museum Wiesbaden, we are establishing a unique cultural offering for the region. This series innovatively connects the music and art of the turn of the twentieth century, providing an immersive experience that brings the cultural identity of the era vividly to life.

Beginning in October 2025, the series will take place every two years. This schedule allows for the development of long-term collaborations with artists, regional initiatives, and the audience. In this way, the concert series becomes a platform for cultural exchange and public engagement that extends beyond the individual events.

The Foundation Internationaler Musikwettbewerb Ferdinand W. Neess was established in 2023 at the request of Danielle Neess, the widow of art patron, to continue his lifelong passion for the art and music of Art Nouveau/Jugendstil.

At the heart of the foundation is the International Music Competition (currently for flute), held every two years to provide a platform for outstanding young musicians. In the intervening years, the foundation presents a concert series centered on the theme Art Nouveau / Jugendstil, pursuing innovative approaches.