The foundation of a chamber music festival in Wildbad Kreuth rose from the love of the artist couple Oleg Kagan and Natalia Gutman for playing music in a confined space with friends, far away from large concert halls. Both musicians adored the Bavarian countryside and wanted this festival to be an occasion for their friends – and among these in first line Eduard Brunner - from East and West to gather and to play with them the kind of intimate music they both loved. In spite of all the serenity of intense playing it was the explicit wish of the founders that special care should be taken to maintain spontaneity and, quoting Kagan, moments of ‘surprise’. From the very beginning contemporary music , especially written by composer friends, contributed to the Kreuth inherent surprises and found its natural place in the concerts of the Festival. Last, but not least, Oleg Kagan and Natalia Gutman revelled in the chance to play together with you’d musicians passing on to them something of their own enthusiasm and inspiration.

With its rare mixture of thrilling music, intimacy and openness, the Kreuth Festival is known all over since its very first performance in July 1990. After the death of Oleg Kagan the festival continued under the guidance of Natalia Gutman and since 1992 it bears the name of its founder Oleg Kagan.