In 2022, SooJin Anjou started the concert & discussion series
“SPARK: Creative Processes in the Arts and Sciences”
at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin, with the aim of bringing world-class musicians, composers and scientists into a thought-provoking dialogue, thus lighting the creative fire in their respective fields. At each event, the panelists and the audience share their insights and experiences, pose challenging questions, and learn from one another.
The concert – always featuring the premiere of a new composition — is followed by a conversation across disciplines, in which everyone is invited to reflect on questions such as: what can science and art learn from each other? How we can tackle current global and local challenges creatively?
SPARK 14
"The Art of Adaptation: Change Is the Only Constant"
NOVEMBER 3, 2026, 18h Part of Berlin Science Week
18 - 19h CONCERT
with SooJin Anjou, piano; Julia Dawson, soprano; Önay Köse, baritone
Dmitri Kourliandski (1976-) Looming Lines for a singing pianist (2026)*
*World premiere; commissioned by SPARK
“Who’s Afraid of Hugo Wolf?” -
A literary recasting of Hugo Wolf’s Italienisches Liederbuch (world premiere)
Concept: Julia Dawson / Text and Dramaturgy: Julia Dawson and SooJin Anjou
19.15 - 20h DISCUSSION
"The Art of Adaptation: Change Is the Only Constant"
Artists and scientists share their experiences of extreme adaptation, ranging from
physical transformation to political exile.
Hosted by SooJin Anjou and Nikolaus Rajewsky.
SPARK 13
“Biases and First Impressions: The Hidden Lens in Art and Science”
JULY 1, 2026, 6:00PM
18-19h CONCERT
with SooJin Anjou, piano; Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin
James Helgeson (b. 1966) Rapsodia testarda (world premiere)
Robert Saar (1925-1976) Klavierstücke Op. 16 Nr. 3, 4, 6
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Sonata for Violin and Piano in g minor, D. 408
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) Sonata for Violin and Piano
19.15-20h DISCUSSION
Biases and First Impressions: The Hidden Lens in Art and Science
with Noah Bendix-Balgley, James Helgeson, Frank Heppner, Gary Kruppa, Paula Leupold
Hosted by SooJin Anjou and Nikolaus Rajewsky
SPARK 12
"Seeking the Mysterious in Art and Science"
FEBRUARY 26, 2026, 6:00PM
18-19h Audiovisual concert
This concert is dedicated to the memory of Ferenc Rados.
Olivier Messiaen The Complete Preludes for Piano (1929)
SooJin Anjou, piano
Original video* by Lillevan
*World premiere; commissioned by SPARK
19.15 - 20.15h DISCUSSION
“Seeking the mysterious in art and science”
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and science.” - Albert Einstein
Panel: Lillevan, Georg Braune, Daria Bunina
Hosted by SooJin Anjou and Nikolaus Rajewsky