About us

The Orchestra Beyond Borders (formerly known as Pforte Chamber Orchestra Plus) was founded by Klaus Christa, the artistic director of the concert series «Musik in der Pforte». People from all over the world come together twice a year to make music, discover scores and and to have a wonderful and inspiring time in their lives. The musicians come from the Iberacademy/Columbia and the Bochabela Strings in South Africa, as well as from various universities in Europe. Maria Włoszczowska is the concertmaster and leader of the orchestra. 

A genuine exchange between human beings

How Maria Włoszczowska experienced the Orchestra Beyond Borders 

«I've never experienced anything so life-affirming to be honest. It really, really, truly changed my life. It really restored my faith in human connection and the power of that. Because Pforte is completely totally unique. It’s not like other orchestras, it’s not like other unconducted groups. It's not like other youth orchestras, it's not like other cross-cultural projects. It feels like a genuine exchange between people and between human beings. There is no hierarchy. The goal is to only listen to each other and see what happens as a result. Rather than trying to achieve something pre-planned.     

                  
I really sensed a lot of alertness in the room, and a lot of potential for trust. From every single person in that room. We're not fixing an interpretation; we are exploring options and listening to each other. The objective is not for them to follow me, the objective is for them to trust that if they listen to each other properly, the music will reveal itself. And that is the miracle Honestly, I've never had an experience that was so utterly life-affirming. It truly, truly changed my life. And it restored my faith in what's possible in human collaboration. I've learned so much from these musicians. They inspired me so much.                        

And they really woke up elements of my musicality that I feel like I've forgotten about. And the group is just so special. It creates this incredible field of energy. It's a multicultural orchestra, and what background you come from doesn't matter. What matters is your love for music and your desire to get to know each other.                        

There is no right or wrong way to approach a Beethoven symphony. We are discovering something that everyone contributes. The audience can feel that there is nothing manufactured about it; it’s a direct channel between people. I love the unexpected combination of different backgrounds. Like people from Colombia and South Africa, and them just being so open and without prejudice.                        

They jam together after dinner, and watching all their different musical backgrounds come together is so inspiring. My own education didn't include experiencing music this way. It was eye-opening for me. To approach work more as an exploration.                        
And they create fantastic music in the moment without knowing each other's backgrounds. It's a revelation. It's really, really unique.»