![[Logo Auswärtiges Amt]](/images/logo.gif){kind=logo}
Honoring of Professor Lewis Kaplan at The Juilliard School, New York, NY
President of the Juilliard School, Dr. Joseph Polisi
Professor Lewis Kaplan and Mrs. Adria Kaplan,
Honoured guests,
It is a pleasure to join you at this prestigious school today, for a celebration in honour of Professor Lewis Kaplan. On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Horst Köhler, I have the privilege and pleasure to present the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Professor Lewis Kaplan.
The Juilliard School is dedicated to Performing Arts education - in particular in the field of music. Music is a global language - even if words fail us. It speaks directly from soul to soul. The Juilliard School has the power to connect people from different countries, different ethnical, religious or political backgrounds.
But connecting people through music does not happen by itself – it requires excellent perfomers as well as extraordinary, talented teachers.
No doubt, Professor Kaplan is a maestro of the violin. A 2006 survey by the University of Cambridge classified him as one of the 100 most important musicians of our time – and I would like to emphasize: more than a world class violinist, he is one of the 100 most important musicians overall.
So I could stop here, as this is self-explanatory… and his distinguished career and achievements are well-known to you – as well as his charisma, his energy and thoughtfulness. My predecessors very much enjoyed the privilege to work with Professor Kaplan, and I feel honoured to continue this wonderful relationship.
Allow me to briefly highlight Professor Kaplan’s achievements, in particular with regard to German-American cooperation in the world of music.
The name Lewis Kaplan was familiar to me even before I left Berlin to assume my post in New York. His musical skill and his dedication resonated in and outside of Berlin. Resting on his laurels of more than 40 years, is not a thought that would ever cross Professor Kaplan’s mind. He is too occupied thinking about the next decade, and the next generation. His friends call him a musical entrepreneur, someone who sees the opportunities, and finds a way to turn them into achievements.
Indeed, Professor Kaplan’s talent and dedication to move people across borders and connect cultures have always been inspirational. Through his special gift of teaching, he has guided young artists in his own mesmerizing way. He is a major reason why the Juilliard School is attracting talents from Germany, and from around the globe – and why it sends its students to distinguished institutions in Germany and other countries. I will cite just two examples.
Since the end of WWII, Professor Kaplan used his role as a musician to help re-build the ties between the United States and Germany. Coming from a Jewish background, he may have had all reasons not to do so. Yet – in the early post-war years – he did not turn his back on Germany, but looked ahead. Performing as a concertmaster, and soloist of the US Army Orchestra in the 1950s, he frequently gave concerts in Germany – at a time, when music was as scarce and welcomed as bread and butter – a lifeline to civilization. His generous outreach was and still is highly appreciated today.
A more recent example: in 2004, his enthusiasm and welcomed efforts helped to establish the annual exchange programme between The Juilliard School of New York and the “Hanns Eisler” School of Music in Berlin. Talented students from both countries received the opportunity to meet, and travel to transatlantic chamber music projects, from New York to Berlin and vice versa. Together they gave concerts at world-renowned venues as well as for good causes.
The exchange programme between The Juilliard School and the “Hanns Eisler”-School of Music, especially built bridges between East and West, as the “Hanns Eisler School” used to be a former East Berlin institution. This exchange is of great value to a new generation of musicians. It symbolizes the cooperation between two great “cultural capitals” – New York and Berlin.
I am happy to add, that despite our difficult times for obtaining sponsorships, we are this year well under way to send Juilliard students to Germany again. If we succeed and timetables permit, they could be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, in joint performances with students from the “Hanns Eisler” School.
Another most significant example of Professor Kaplan’s dedication to connect people is the internationally famous “Bowdoin Musical Festival,” which was co-founded by Mr. Kaplan; and through his wisdom, energy, and devotion became the famous and joyfull international event it is today. Perhaps Peter Simmons, the former executive director of the Bowdoin Festival, put it best by saying: “Professor Kaplan has the unique ability to attract qualified students and faculty members. He does so by making and keeping personal promises and commitments” – and, may I add – by exceeding them.
Professor Lewis Kaplan, it is with admiration and gratitude that I have now the honour – on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Horst Köhler - to present to you the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
