Nigel Kennedy to perform at 52nd Menuhin Festival in Gstaad

The 2008 Menuhin Festival in Gstaad has the new theme “joie de vivre”! The annaul Menuhin Festival adds to the beauty of the Gstaad landscape and the variety of the region, one of the most sumptuous in the Alps.

Highlights of the spectacular festival are to include;

• Some of the world’s leading violinists including Viktoria Mullova, Nigel Kennedy, Christian Tetzlaff, Leonidas Kavakos are amongst the numerous treasures performing.
• Encounters with musicians from the Northern hemisphere in the form of pianists Leif Ove Andsnes and Olli Mustonen (composer in residence in 2008).
• Information about the mysteries of the violin wood harvested in the Rougemont forests,
• Appearances of some of the most brilliant vocal stars (Cecilia Bartoli, Sandrine Piau, Anglika Kirchschlager, Noëmi Nadelmann, Thomas Hampson).

The theme of “Joie de vivre” represents music as the expression of happiness on earth, of joy, delight, humour, energy, in short, an expression of “ pure life”. The Menuhin Festival 2008 reflects the many facets of this beautiful emotional state. From the sacred exultation of Mozart’s Coronation Mass to the ebullient emotions of Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence and the happy end of his ballet Cinderella – smiles are sure to be found in every corner.

Wherever it is not complete or whole, such as in Schubert’s Wanderer or in Hanns Eisler’s Hollywood Song Book (with texts by Bertolt Brecht) where profound doubt can also be found, this is always in juxtaposition with the ideal of happiness.

The Royal Violin

This is the instrument that was played by the founder of the festival, an extension of his body and his spirit. The violin was Yehudi Menuhin’s life. And while present every year, the violin will be the veritable “king” of the festival in 2008. A festival under the theme “joie de vivre” but also “regeneration”, a programme by Christoph Müller that Menuhin would have been sure to embrace himself, especially in view of all that he did during his lifetime for the younger generations.

The first pages of the Gazette are entirely dedicated to the violin, not only with regard to introducing the stars of tomorrow but also by providing news about various established artists who have been invited to the heights of the Bernese Oberland: Chloë Hanslip, Christian Tetzlaff, Veronika Eberle, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Leonidas Kavakos, Viktoria Mullova and eapecially Nigel Kennedy.

These artists and the public in general will certainly also be interested to learn that just a few kilometers from Gstaad, in the forests from Arses to Rougemont, grow spruce trees that are among the most suited in the world for instrument building.

Carte blanche for Leif Ove Andsnes

The Menuhin Festival has decided to feature not only “joie de vivre” in 2008, but also nature, here and abroad. For example, Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, artist in residence for four concerts, will be bringing something of his native country with him in his luggage. Although he is used to relaxing in the great fjords in the North, he is sure to be pleased by the gentle caresses of Gstaad and its regions. The Gazette offers an in-depth portrait of this artist as well as of another pianist from the North: Finnish musician Olli Mustonen, who will be here as composer in residence. His orchestral work Petäjävesi, a commission from the Festival, will be performed for the first time in Saanen on 26 July 2008.

Sol Gabetta: “We both love the cello”

In addition to established performers, artistic director, Christopher Müller, consistenly endeavours to introduce the new generation of classical music stars to festival audiences. Sol Gabetta now ranks among the world’s best cellists and has been invited to play with orchestras such as the Munich Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Rotterdam Philharmonic. She has played numerous concerts, not only in Europe but also in Japan. On her third visit to Japan in the summer of 2007 her fans flocked to concert halls to hear her solo recitals. Sol Gabetta will give her USA debut in June 2008, on tour with star cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Washington Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin. Her charm, her charisma and the expressive quality of her music enrapture her admirers.

“Play Along” with the London Symphony Orchestra

To play music with friends in a relaxed atmosphere: The idea of the Menuhin Festival Gastaad will also be a platform for laities musicians. The Orchestra Workshop for laities is taking place for the first time in Gstaad from 18th to 24th August – named Play Along. For this reason music, nature and collective activities should go hand in hand.

They offer adapted workshops for the participants under competent leadership and the practiced work will be presented at the audiences as a final concert. Active play music is only one detail of this week. The participants are invited to join the orchestra rehersals or concerts and talk to professional musiciens. Also they will have time to discover the nature around Gstaad. During this week the London Symphony Orchestra will be in Gstaad.

Reservations: Advance ticket orders are available at the Menuhin Festival Office, Promenade, 3780 Gstaad, email: menuhinfestival@gstaad.ch / info@menuhinfestivalgstaad.com

For further general information, visit Menuhinfestivalgstaad.com.