On Friday, July 12th, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival commenced with a mesmerising Schubert concert by Camerata Salzburg and Collegium Vocale Gent. Under the baton of conductor Philippe Herreweghe, the performance elegantly echoed the intimacy of chamber music.

A Solemn Schubert in Saanen
As Switzerland's largest classical music festival in terms of the number of concerts, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival once again promises to cater to diverse tastes. The festival's foundation lies in traditional church concerts featuring small, high-caliber ensembles. However, over the years, it has expanded to include crossover productions in unexpected venues, a valuable music education program for children and youth, training for emerging talent through its Academies, and grand tent concerts.

The festival's opening began with a welcoming aperitif at Blumen Stricker. Amid pleasantly cool weather, guests mingled over drinks. Aldo Kropf, President of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy AG, introduced this year's theme, "Transformation," encouraging reflection. He also discussed the selection process for the new Artistic Director, Daniel Hope, who will assume the role in autumn 2025. Kropf expressed gratitude to the many institutions, partners, employees, and volunteers who made the festival possible.

The Magic of Schubert
In Saanen's Mauritius Church, Pastor Marianne Kellenberger greeted the audience with thoughts on transformation, a theme woven through all aspects of life. She highlighted Schubert's unfinished symphony, once known as the 8th Symphony but now referred to as the 7th. Camerata Salzburg's performance of this B minor Symphony was extraordinary. The strings produced a warm, precise sound with delicate nuances. Herreweghe and the musicians crafted a symphony reminiscent of the finest chamber music. Notable were the rich cellos and beautiful solos by the clarinet, oboe, and flute in the second movement. The overall interpretation was harmonious, fitting perfectly with the venue's acoustics.

This harmonious spirit continued in the Mass in A flat major, where Herreweghe deftly combined his Collegium Vocale Gent with the orchestra. The four soloists harmonised well, though the soprano's bell-clear voice was somewhat muted from certain seats, possibly due to the soloists' positioning between the orchestra and choir. Despite this minor issue, the concert was a thoroughly wonderful experience.

Looking Ahead
The festival's "Chamber Music Festival" series will feature many renowned artists performing intriguing programs. Artist-in-Residence Julia Fischer will present string sextets by Schönberg's "Verklärte Nacht" and Tchaikovsky's "Souvenir de Florence" on Thursday, July 18th. On Tuesday, August 13th, Hélène Grimaud will perform Brahms and Ukrainian composer Valentyn Sylvestrov's songs with singer Konstantin Krimmel. The "Today's Music" series offers a diverse range of performances, including tango on July 26th, percussion and guitar on August 5th, and breakdancing on August 17th.

The Jeunes Etoiles series provides up-and-coming talent with a platform to shine every Saturday at 10:30 am at Kapälli Gstaad. The "Mountain Spirit" cycle includes four musical experiences on the Eggli. From mid-August, the Gstaad Festival Orchestra will present Bruckner's 7th Symphony and excerpts from Wagner's "Parsifal" and "Tristan" operas in semi-staged performances in the festival tent. Masterclasses in Conducting, Piano, String, Vocal, and Baroque Academies are open to the public with free admission. The Discovery music education program targets children, youth, and people with disabilities.

Inspiration from Yehudi Menuhin
"I firmly believe that good music prolongs life." Yehudi Menuhin's quote embodies the festival's spirit. Let us be inspired by Christoph Müller's vibrant program, which promises to enrich our lives through the power of music.

Based on AvS | Çetin Köksal