„Das Studium unter Prof. Julius Berger hat mir eine neue Sichtweise eröffnet.
Nicht nur hat er mich dazu angeleitet, verschiedene Kompositionsstile und die Ideen hinter den Musikstücken zu begreifen, sondern mich auch bei der Herausarbeitung meines persönlichen Interpretationsstils unterstützt. In meiner jetzigen Tätigkeit als Cello-Lehrer kommen mir die in dieser Zeit kultivierten technischen und menschlichen Kompetenzen sehr zu Gute.“
„Julius ist nicht nur ein toller Cellist, sondern ein grosser Künstler, und noch wichtiger, er ist ein Mensch, der ein offenes und weites Herz hat.
Ich habe 6 Jahre bei ihm studiert, mit meinem Cello habe ich grosse Fortschritte erreicht. Als Lehrer kümmerte er sich nicht nur um das Cello, sondern auch um mein Leben in einem fremden Land und um die vielseitigen Dimensionen der Musik. Während des Studiums hat er Offenheit und Interesse für andere Kulturen und Religionen u.s.w. gezeigt. Es war auch eindrucksvoll für mich, wie dadurch Musik in die Tiefe wirkt, was ein Student wirklich lernen soll. – Zum Glück habe ich es von ihm gelernt!“
„Studying with Julius completely redefined my philosophies of cello playing and music-making. At the same time as being informative with respect to traditions, he helped me to develop my own creative voice and approach the cello with a fresh perspective. Even more than this I truely value the personal friendship that we had during my studies, and still have today.“
When Julius Berger plays is like he was praying: there is an inner research for something which is beyond the notes, there is the longing to catch the spirit of music, which means the spirit of life. With him is not just a matter of having a beautiful sound or the best bowing or having the right articulation: first of all is a matter of searching the deepest meaning into every note and every pause. Before anything else this is what he has thought to me: to dare to go beyond in music, as well as in life.
And this is why I will always be thankful to him for all my life long.
I will always keep Julius in my mind from the very first contact we had. His unlimited passion and devotion for the music impulsed me to a new dimension as a musician since the first word he said to me. His generosity and dedication, together with his unique way of deepening into the music and transmitting it is something I will always keep in my inside wherever I go. Thank you, Julius!!
The opportunity of being a student in the class of Prof. Julius Berger is one of the most important times in my life. I feel very lucky to have had this possibility. The work with him has been a huge inspiration for me and it is still up to the present day.Prof. Julius Berger is one of the most wonderful pedagogue, musician and human being – he is my mentor!“
„I first met Professor Julius Berger in Salzburg at the summer masterclasses – I had just turned 18 years old.
In that short time I knew it immediately – here was someone that was going to have a huge influence on me not only cellistically, but as a musician, and more importantly as a human being. During that first week together, Julius not only taught me cello but even more importantly also how to treat those around you.
The natural move after finishing my studies in Paris was to move full time to study with Julius, where I stayed for 4 more years under his tuition, and wow, what an experience that was!!
Not only did Julius take me to play alongside him in festivals such as Kronberg and Lockenhaus as well as concert trips, he introduced me to foundations that supported my studies financially, introduced me to highly inspiring musicians such as Sofia Gubaidulina, whilst also preparing me for international competitions and recording projects.
Eventually culminating all these things together, he gave me my first permanent position: A very small job working for the university organising seminars, masterclasses, which eventually blossomed into organising an elite Junior Academy for exceptionally gifted young cellists where I taught alongside him.
After this, career possibilities became open to me outside Germany, influencing my decision to leave the country – but without a doubt it was a direct result of all these experiences given to me directly from Julius that allowed me to develop my career in the right direction. He was highly responsible in my development and most importantly helping me to discover what my role could be in a highly competitive musical world.“
Julius Berger is a person of an extraordinary sensitivity, he is a musician who deeply believes in what he does, at all times of his life. Nothing is by chance. His musical world is ethical, human, transcendent. Being close to him is a great spiritual and musical enrichment. With gratitude and affection.
„Wie lange ist es her? Vielleicht 22 oder 23 Jahre. Es war in Mainz und ich war zu einem Meisterkurs mit Julius Berger angereist. “Wir arbeiten die nächsten Tage zusammen”, so begrüsste er mich händeschüttelnd nach einer recht dürftig vorgetragenen Boccherini-Sonate. Von da an ist Julius Berger für mich eine einzigartige Inspirationsquelle. Viele meiner beruflichen und privaten Stationen begleitete Julius seitdem. Seine unnachahmliche Art, das Cellospiel mit dem Leben und dem Alltag und so auch mit den extremsten Gefühlen unseres Daseins zu verweben, machen ihn zu einem der musikalischten Lehrer, die es gibt. Als Lehrer und vor allem auch als Cellist, ist Julius Berger dem Göttlichen in der Musik auf der Spur, und somit wurde Ehrfurcht und Respekt in der Musik, aber auch vor dem Nächsten, für uns alle oberstes Gebot.
