The 19th Gstaad New Year Music Festival returns this winter, offering 22 exceptional concerts between 27 December and 11 January across venues, including the churches of Saanen, Rougemont, Lauenen, and the Kapälli Gstaad. For the first time, the festival is making a special effort to engage young audiences, with free tickets for children, teenagers, and young adults under 25 available for all concerts.

The festival promises a rich lineup for classical music enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciate vocal performances. Global superstars such as Elina Garanca, Jonathan Tetelman, and Sonya Yoncheva will grace the stage at the Church of Saanen. Yoncheva, accompanied by the Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal de Versailles, will perform a festive program on 2 January. On 4 January, rising star André Schuen, known for his collaborations with the Berlin Philharmonic and Simon Rattle, will present Schubert’s “Winterreise” in Lauenen, accompanied on piano by Daniel Heide, his partner on two Deutsche Grammophon recordings.

Another highlight is soprano Golda Schultz, whose acclaimed performance of Richard Strauss’s “Vier letzte Lieder” with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich under Paavo Järvi garnered rave reviews this fall. Schultz will perform in Rougemont with pianist Jonathan Ware on 5 January.

Spotlight on Emerging Talents
The festival continues its tradition of nurturing young musicians with its “Jeunes Talents” series. This year, two winners of the Alberto Lysy International Violin Competition Gstaad will take the stage. On 29 December, Elias David Moncado will perform a demanding solo recital at the Kapälli Gstaad. On 7 January, Bohdan Luts, a previous competition winner, will join Sara Isabelle Ispas and the GNYMF-Camerata in Lauenen for a program featuring works by J.S. Bach.

Pianist Nino Kupreishvili will deliver a recital featuring Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Liszt on 8 January in Rougemont. The following evening, countertenor Pedro Pablo Álvarez McNab will perform alongside soprano Jaia Niborski and harpsichordist Irene Gonzàles Roldán at the Kapälli Gstaad.

Jazz for a Grand Finale
The festival concludes with two jazz performances. Lovers of the genre can enjoy concerts on 10 and 11 January, in Lauenen and Rougemont, respectively, providing a vibrant close to this year’s program.

Whether you’re drawn by renowned performers, rising stars, or the charm of intimate venues, the Gstaad New Year Music Festival 2024/25 offers something for everyone. Take advantage of this celebration of music and artistry in the heart of the Alps!
(book tickets online)

JEANETTE WICHMANN