Music as a European language, young talents as its strongest ambassadors: on June 28, 2026, a concert of outstanding brilliance will resound in the Small Hall of the Konzerthaus Berlin. The “Jeunesse Musicale Européenne” brings together outstanding young musicians from all over Europe – an evening that celebrates excellence, passion, and the unifying power of music. The “Jeunesse Musicale Européenne” brings together outstanding young musicians from all over Europe – an evening that celebrates excellence, passion, and the unifying power of music.
The evening will be opened by the French ambassador François Delattre together with a representative of Berlin’s political scene, sending a strong signal about the cultural significance of Europe and the unifying power of classical music.
The patron is Anka Sommer, a long-time supporter of the Jugend musiziert competition, recipient of the Golden Pin of Honor from the Berlin State Music Council and the
Federal Cross of Merit, who has been paving the way for young musicians to reach the big stage for decades.
The musicians, aged between 9 and 25, are all national prize winners of Jugend musiziert and
come from all over Europe. Their participation makes the evening a special cultural moment in which youthful virtuosity and European diversity can be experienced.
Jeunesse Musicale Européenne demonstrates how music can promote dialogue, exchange, and mutual inspiration. It represents a growing concert series that not only showcases excellence, but also focuses on cultural understanding and the personal development of young musicians.
Experience Europe in all its diversity and unity, palpable in every note, every melody, every performance. We cordially invite you to be part of this extraordinary evening – celebrate with us the young voices of Europe, their virtuosity, their passion, and the unifying power of music.
Anka Sommer is a music teacher and cultural activist in Berlin, particularly in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf area. She is best known for her many years of work with “Jugend musiziert” and her involvement in early music and music school projects.
She completed her studies at the Berlin University of the Arts, among other institutions. She rounded out her training in international master classes with Janine Micheau, Hans Hotter, Brigitte Faßbaender, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, and others.
In addition to lieder singing, she has a particular interest in the historical performance practice of “early music.” She received valuable inspiration from her studies with Monserat Figueras, Paul Esswood, Kurt Equiluz, Helmut Rilling, and Arleen Auger.
Thanks to her extensive repertoire, Anka Sommer has successfully performed in numerous recitals and oratorio performances (including at the Berlin Philharmonic). She has participated in numerous radio and record recordings. She has enjoyed a long-standing musical collaboration with Claudia Graswurm and Siegfried Schubert-Weber. In a Berlin production, she sang Gretel in Humperdinck’s opera “Hansel and Gretel” for 36 years.
Anka Sommer is a lecturer and head of the department for piano, recorder, and flute. She is the founder of the “Studio for Early Music” at the Leo Borchard Music School Steglitz, teaches as a vocal coach, and directs the Jubilate Children’s Choir. Since 1991, she has initiated the international Steglitzer Tage für Alte Musik (master classes).
She holds several honorary positions. In 2021, she was awarded the Golden Badge of Honor by the Berlin State Music Council for her many years of commitment.
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