Jean-Guihen Queyras. He is a philosopher, teacher and bon vivant all in one. And he brings it all out through his cello. From baroque to notes whose ink is not yet dry, it doesn't matter. The ideal artist in residence for the Residentie Orkest.

The French cellist is regarded internationally as one of the leading musicians of his generation, travels the world and has overflowing concert schedules. Still, he says he is genuinely delighted to play all such wonderful works as Dvořák's Cello Concerto and the cello version of Bartók's Viola Concerto with the Residentie Orkest at Amare . 'When I first saw the building I became very happy. It is wonderful that a city gives itself and its inhabitants such a center. The hall has great acoustics, which is also very good for the orchestra. I'm sure that thanks to Amare , the Residentie Orkest will only get better, giving it even more of the international recognition it deserves.'

Virgin look

That's why he enjoys his teaching position at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg so much. 'Nowadays it is much more difficult to find your way in music than it was thirty years ago. And yet young people work passionately on their dream of becoming a musician. I get a lot of energy from that. Students still look at each piece with a virgin eye. There are also many young musicians at Residentie Orkest . The group as a whole is so eager. That ensures that I too am drawn back to that original enthusiasm every time.'

It began for Jean-Guihen when he was nine years old. At the final concert of a summer school in which his violin-playing brother was participating, he heard a thirteen-year-old girl play Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto. 'I was immediately obsessed with the instrument and wanted nothing more than to play the cello. Once I had a cello, I never let go of it and knew I was going to be a musician. The cello became my connection to the world and the way to let my heart speak.'

From art to cuisine

Even the sometimes impossible concert and travel schedules Jean-Guihen has managed to put a positive spin on, although he finds them "actually too crazy. 'After all, I'm not twenty anymore either and should slow down. But that's damn hard when you're so passionate. And the great thing about giving concerts at this level is that I have the opportunity to see the world. I love discovering a country's culture in its full breadth, from art to cuisine and everything else. Culture creates harmony.

'In addition, I can give wide berth to another hobby along the way,' he continues. 'Watching good movies. That, too, is tangentially related to music. What makes my work exciting and valuable again and again after all these years is the ability to tell stories through the notes. That is perhaps the most important thing of all. Partly for this reason, I look forward to working with the Residentie Orkest. Like me, the musicians know that only by telling the story sincerely and full of love can you touch people's hearts.