Dear friends of music.

Welcome to the seconds edition of EUROPEAN MUSIC CULTURES

This year, we throw light on Piano Music from so-called European “Salons”

European “Salons” were places of intellectual exchange, where music intersected with other arts and philosophical ideas/debates took place. Musicians mingled with poets, writers, and intellectuals, discussing the latest artistic trends and political ideas. Many composers premiered their latest compositions in in such environments before they were performed in public concert halls.

The “Salon” offered a more experimental and less formal atmosphere where composers could test new ideas and receive immediate feedback. This was a significant element of the cultural life in Europe.

Anton Isselhardt
Artistic Director

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Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

It is again my great pleasure to welcome you all to the second season of EUROPEAN MUSIC CULTURES with a focus on the so-called European “Salons”.
King Sisowath’s journey to France in 1906 remains a significant moment in the history of Cambodian-European relations, remembered for his cultural diplomacy and his role in introducing Khmer classical arts to the Western world.

A defining moment of the visit were the Khmer Royal Ballet’s performances at the Colonial Exhibition in Marseille. Those performances profoundly influenced European artists and intellectuals. Notably, the famous painter Auguste Rodin sketched the dancers extensively.

By the early 20th century, Cambodian intellectuals began gatherings that resembled the spirit of the European “Salon”—spaces for intellectual and political exchange—but were often localized and connected to Buddhist institutions or French-educated networks.

I strongly hope that EUROPEAN MUSIC CULTURES will continue to be an essential part of our cultural life as well as a stimulus to further cultural exchange.

Phoeurng Sackona
Minister of Culture and Fine Arts

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It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the European Music Cultures Festival, second edition.

This festival is a celebration of the beauty, diversity, and richness of Europe’s musical traditions, and of the way music accompanies us through life — in joy, reflection, and togetherness.

Music has always been more than sound. It is a bridge between people, generations, and cultures, carrying with it history, memory, and identity. Its historical socio-cultural significance — and its influence on social life — reminds us that music is deeply woven into the fabric of our societies.

Here, we come together not only to enjoy performances, but also to share in the traditions, and inspirations that have shaped Europe’s musical cultural landscape over centuries. This exchange invites us to listen with open hearts and to discover how music connects us across borders and backgrounds.
May this festival be a source of joy and mutual understanding, and may the universal language of music continue to unite us all in harmony.

Stefan MESSERER
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Cambodia

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Dear music lovers,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this edition of the European Music Cultures in in Phnom Penh. As our shared and diverse European music traditions are at the core of our cultural identity, the Delegation of the EU is pleased to support this event.

As the theme of this year, Salons have historically been a centre of innovation and artistic exchange, where musicians, poets, and thinkers came together to explore new ideas and push creative boundaries. Today, we carry that spirit forward, and bring this festival to Cambodia, a land of rich culture, discovery and inspiration.

Just as European Salons once served as experimental stages to compose new music before they reached the wider world, this festival supports the natural extension of the Salons’ goals by providing the space for Khmer audiences to experience the music together here, in Cambodia.

I hope you will enjoy the musical journey, celebrating the power of European classical music to bring cultures closer together.

Igor Driesmans
Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia