Dear friends of music. 

Welcome to the 3rd edition of EUROPEAN MUSIC CULTURES
This year, we throw light on fin de siècle (French for “end of the century”) refers to the
final decades of the 19th century, roughly from the 1880s to the outbreak of World War I.

In classical music, this period was marked by a sense of transition, experimentation, and cultural unease, reflecting
broader artistic and intellectual currents in Europe.

European composers and artists showed a strong fascination with cultures they perceived as distant or “other,” particularly
those of the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. This interest was closely tied to colonial expansion, increased travel,
world exhibitions, and a broader sense of cultural restlessness and dissatisfaction with European traditions.

King Sisowath’s journey to France in 1906 remains a significant moment in the history of Cambodian-European relations,
remembered for its cultural diplomacy and its role in introducing Khmer classical arts to the Western world. The king’s trip
aimed to demonstrate loyalty to France while also fostering goodwill and raising awareness of Cambodia’s rich cultural
heritage.

Gerhard Anton Isselhardt
Artistic Director