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.

In Memoriam

Dr. Peter Hanser-Strecker

With great sadness, we bid farewell to Dr. Peter Hanser-Strecker, long-standing member of the Board of Trustees of the Ferdinand W. Neess Foundation, who passed away on 22 January 2026 at the age of 83, surrounded by his family in Wiesbaden.

Dr. Hanser-Strecker was one of the most influential figures in international musical life. For more than five decades, he shaped the renowned music publishing house Schott Music as Managing Director and Chairman, transforming it into a globally active media company. His work was guided by a deep conviction that music is an essential part of our cultural and social identity.

He was especially committed to promoting contemporary music while also preserving and cultivating musical heritage. Through close collaboration with composers, musicians, and cultural institutions, he made lasting contributions to the musical landscape both in Germany and internationally. By founding the Strecker Foundation, he ensured the long-term independence of Schott Music.

Dr. Hanser-Strecker was also deeply connected to the Ferdinand W. Neess Foundation. With great expertise, vision, and personal dedication, he actively supported the foundation’s work and its cultural mission.
We have lost an exceptional patron of music, a wise advisor, and a person guided by a profound humanistic ethos. We have lost a friend. Although he will be greatly missed, his legacy will continue to resonate far beyond his lifetime.

Our thoughts are with his family and all who were close to him.

Danielle Neess und Cordula Hacke

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.

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