Happy Birthday, Mark Andre

On 10 May, we celebrate the birthday of our composer-in-residence Mark Andre. 

Mark Sattler, dramaturge for contemporary music at Lucerne Festival, congratulates Mark Andre and looks back at their history together.

"In 2005, when Helmut Lachenmann was composer-in-residence at Lucerne Festival, he introduced me to Mark Andre. In his words: 'I warmly recommend this great composer to you. Make sure you collaborate with him.'

This was at a reception to celebrate the world premiere of Lachenmann's Concertini, where Christina Weiss, then German Minister of Culture, gave a speech in honor of Helmut Lachenmann (something that is hard to imagine from today's cultural policymakers…)."

"Twenty years later, a photo was taken in Stuttgart at the birthday concert for Helmut Lachenmann that bridges the gap between the past and the present. In Summer 2026, it's Mark Andre who will be the festival’s composer-in-residence. And another parallel – or rather, a beautiful connection – came to mind: just as Helmut Lachenmann was the student of Luigi Nono, Mark Andre is the student of Helmut Lachenmann.

Happy birthday, Mark! We look forward to working with you at the summer festival.

Your Mark Sattler."