An Advanced Program Under the Direction of Leading Tutors
The Accademia Vicino presents itself as a unique advanced training program for lovers of performance music, combining the development of emerging talent both in the professional and amateur sectors. Under the artistic direction of top-tier musicians with internationally recognized pedagogical expertise, participants from various countries receive high-level instruction. This goes beyond rehearsals and includes a range of public performances. The spectacular landscape of Accumoli and its surroundings provides the ideal setting for a rich and varied program, encouraging interdisciplinary exchange as well as social and intercultural community building.
The goal of Accademia Vicino is to cultivate individual artistic excellence and to explore the full potential of a dynamic orchestral culture. Both instruction and concert performance are designed to enhance artistic capability and enable participants to grow in their musical qualifications. Each musician presents themselves as a master of their craft — with unique stage presence and a virtuosic blend of creativity and spontaneity.
Nandor Szederkényi, 1st Violin and Concertmaster
Concertmaster Nandor Szederkényi began his artistic career in Budapest, where he received his first violin lessons from his father, a renowned soloist of the Hungarian violin school. Influences from Eugène Ysaÿe, Ernő Dohnányi, Zoltán Kodály, and Béla Bartók significantly shaped Szederkényi’s musical style. During his studies at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, he won several prestigious awards. Shortly thereafter, he gained international recognition as a soloist in Germany, Belgium, Italy, and France, while also serving as a soloist with the Philharmonia Hungarica Orchestra.
As a winner of the CBC National Radio Auditions, he spent several successful years in Canada, after which he became first concertmaster of the Century Orchestra Osaka in Japan. He has since gained further experience as concertmaster of numerous leading European orchestras.Nandor Szederkényi performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician in Japan, China, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the USA. He currently lives in the United Kingdom and Germany, and is a highly sought-after concertmaster and teacher.
Prof. Mag. Reinhold Rieger, Viola
Reinhold Rieger was a violist with the Vienna Philharmonic and a professor at the Institute of Conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. His recordings have received numerous international awards. In 2010, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“You have made a significant contribution to international understanding in general and to German-Austrian cultural relations in particular through your exceptional and tireless commitment to young musicians from all over the world,” said Ambassador Blomeyer-Bartenstein in his laudation. The series “Kaleidoscope of Nations”, initiated by Reinhold Rieger, provides a platform for encounters with Vienna’s international student community. (www.sirene.at)
Mag. Erich Niederdorfer, Cello
Erich Niederdorfer was born in Eisenkappel in Carinthia (Austria). After graduating from high school, he studied cello with Professor Chronopoulos at the University of Music in Graz. Erich Niederdorfer completed additional studies at the Vienna University of Music under visiting professor André Navarra. There he also studied composition with Professor Urbanner. He took part in masterclasses with Maurice Gendron and Paul Tortelier and enjoyed private lessons with Pierre Fournier in Geneva.
Erich Niederdorfer is known for his numerous appearances as a soloist on radio programmes and his work at the Vienna State Opera and the “Vereinigte Bühnen Wien”. He was a member of the Tyrolean Symphony Orchestra Innsbruck for over twenty years. He has founded several chamber music ensembles.
Prof. Dr. Richard J. Sigmund, Choir
Richard J. Sigmund completed his vocal performance studies (concert singing, art song and oratorio, as well as music drama) at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He subsequently received performance engagements in Vienna, Munich, and elsewhere.
In 1988, he returned to South Tyrol, where he has since been active as a vocal coach, cultural manager, conductor, stage director, and composer. Numerous conducting and directing engagements have taken him to Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Greece, and beyond.
He has successfully initiated and led several cultural projects in Merano over many years. Richard J. Sigmund is an internationally renowned vocal pedagogue and a recognized expert in singing and stage direction for opera and musical theatre. www.amatemerano.com
Prof. PhD Mag. Werner Hackl, Wind Instruments
It is often said that Vienna is the world capital of music, and that the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw) is among the most prestigious institutions to study this art. Werner Hackl has had the great privilege of both living and studying in Vienna, gaining his musical education in this world-renowned environment. He studied trombone at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, earning the degree of Magister Artium and later a Doctorate in Philosophy.
For several years, he served in the Austrian Guards’ Army Band in Vienna, and subsequently became a member of the Tonkünstler Symphony Orchestra, performing in the famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein. Alongside his orchestral work, he held a professorship at the University of Music in Vienna and was for many years a co-organizer of mdw’s International Summer Academy.
As a wind ensemble leader and conductor of the ArtistsOrchestraVienna, he has toured extensively across Europe, the USA, South America, and Asia. For many years, he has had the opportunity to conduct concerts and teach orchestral performance in China. As President of the Austrian Society for Contemporary Music, he organizes concerts and workshops. In his role as Artistic Vice President of the World Orchestra Festival Vienna, he presents musical elites from around the world in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. For his outstanding contributions to music, Mr. Hackl has been honored by the President of Austria.