Foundation • Foundation Ferdinand W. Neess

The foundation

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

At the heart of the foundation, established in 2023, is the International Music Competition, held every two years to provide an outstanding platform for young musicians. In the intervening years, the foundation presents a concert series centered on the theme Art Nouveau / Jugendstil, pursuing innovative approaches—including commissioned compositions, interdisciplinary projects, and educational initiatives for schools and the wider public.

The aim is to combine artistic excellence with sustainable cultural engagement. The foundation seeks to inspire young musicians, composers, and ensembles—as well as an interested audience—with a lasting appreciation for the art and music of the Art Nouveau period.

The board

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Cordula Hacke Board Member and Managing Director

Pianist Cordula Hacke is an internationally recognised chamber musician, professor of chamber music and collaborative piano at the University of Agder (Norway), lecturer, juror at international competitions, and musical director of various musical and theatre productions.

Her chamber music partners include members of the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Radio Symphony Orchestras of Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Freiburg, and Munich, the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, the Royal Danish Opera, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, as well as renowned soloists and singers from around the world.

Her more than 40-year friendship and musical collaboration with Ferdinand W. Neess led to numerous projects, including the adaptation of Debussy’s Violin Sonata for flute and piano.

Since 2023, she has served as Managing Director of the International Music Competition Ferdinand W. Neess Foundation in Wiesbaden and is also Chair of the Jury for the competition bearing the same name.

She also initiated the new concert series Klang Nouveau at Museum Wiesbaden, which will launch in October 2025 and is supported by the Foundation.

Photo: © Monika Werneke

www.cordula-hacke.de

Danielle Neess Chair of the Board

Danielle Neess was born in Strasbourg, France. For many years, she worked in the legal field at a public institution before later transitioning to the events sector.

In 1999, she met Ferdinand W. Neess. Their relationship developed into a deep and lasting love that profoundly shaped both of their lives.

Through her interest in Art Nouveau and her in-depth knowledge of the period, she became a key partner in the further building of his collection. She also supported Ferdinand W. Neess in his musical pursuits.

In 2006, Danielle Neess moved to Wiesbaden. One of her core concerns has always been to preserve the collection as a unified whole. She played a central role in the donation of the collection to Museum Wiesbaden and has actively worked for its preservation and expansion over many years.

In 2023, she initiated the founding of the International Music Competition Ferdinand W. Neess Foundation to honour Ferdinand W. Neess’ lifelong commitment to the art and music of Art Nouveau, to ensure its long-term preservation, and to make it accessible to the wider public.

Photo: Josh Schlasius

Dr. Peter Hanser-Strecker Board Member and also Chairman of the Board, Strecker Foundation, Mainz

Music publisher Peter Hanser-Strecker was born in Munich in 1942. He studied music and law in Mainz, Munich, and Frankfurt, completing his doctorate in 1968 with a dissertation on “Plagiarism in Music.”

That same year, he began working at Schott Music as head of the legal department. In 1974, he joined the company's management board and assumed its chairmanship in 1983.

Alongside his work as a publisher, Hanser-Strecker has been actively involved in numerous music organisations and charitable foundations, serving on various boards and councils, including “Menschen für Menschen”. He is an honorary member of both the German Music Publishers Association and GEMA.

Dr. Hanser-Strecker oversees several foundations, primarily in the field of music. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2014.