The famous classical music festival set in the breathtaking surroundings of the Bernese Alps will celebrate its 50th birthday this year. Taking place from 21st July to 2nd September 2006, a multi-faceted program is set to delight the public. Musical genres will range from romantic to jazz, Indian to gypsy violin and International stars such as Maxim Vengerov, Sabine Meyer, the London Symphony Orchestra with its conductor Sir Colin Davis, Christopher Hogwood, Vadim Repin and Volker Biesenbender will be present. The well-known jazz pianist Jacques Loussier will perform a specially commissioned work, a violin concerto, �Uncompleted Journey.�
The Menuhin Festival is set apart from other festivals by its clear thematic musical direction influenced by the artistic personality of its founder. It has managed to remain youthful after 50 years without compromising its original values: � we still demand of ourselves that we follow the intentions of our founding fathers with even more innovation and diversity, and in a more audience-friendly manner,� states Christoph N.F. Muller, artistic director of the Menuhin Festival since 2002.
One Programme � three pillars to capture the essence of Menuhin�s philosophy
The festival celebrates the three pillars of chamber music, orchestral concerts and TODAY�S MUSIC concerts. Within these three are four focal points that take up and expand on Lord Menuhin�s musical intentions in different ways. Original programmes from the 1957 Festival, a focus on �the world of the violin�, the official London Symphony Orchestra Gala concert and key performances devoted to Mozart in the year of his 250th birthday.
Gstaad as a Festival Venue
As always the primary venues of the Festival are the church of Saanen, with a capacity of 800 people, and the festival tent, with a capacity of 1,830 people. In addition to these, smaller churches in the area, the Rougemont castle courtyard and the Alpine Hut Les Ouges are also used for various performances. Yehudi Menuhin was inspired and fascinated by the natural environment of the mountains and the uniqueness of the festival is accentuated by its exceptional location.
Highlights include The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), clarinet soloist Sabine Meyer, jazz pianist Jacques Loussier and �the world of the violin.�
The opening event will take place on 21st July with the first of three concerts given by the famous clarinettist, Sabine Meyer. She will interpret works by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Schumann.
The LSO will perform exclusively in Gstaad under its conductor, Colin Davis, as well as with the well-known Russian conductor, Valery Gergiev. The LSO will expertly interpret Beethoven�s 9th symphony, �Ode to Joy� at the grand finale gala concert on September 2nd.
Louissier will enchant audiences with a violin concerto, specially commissioned for the Menuhin Festival. The premi�re of this concerto, �Uncompleted Journey�, will take place on 4th August with Volker Biesenbender.
�The World of the Violin� will see musicians from many different cultures come together in a fusion of musical styles from 31st July to 9th August. The jazz violin, gypsy, Indian and traditional violins will be in the spotlight during eight concerts. This year promises to deliver a broad spectrum of events with two children�s and family concerts included.
Hotel Festival Deals
Bellevue Spa & Menuhin
This five-star hotel offers two nights with breakfast, concert tickets with transfers, Gstaad easy access card (three days free mountain rides and transport), free use of the Bellevue Spa including a massage and a film viewing in the hotel�s private cinema, from �417 per person (based on double room for two nights). www.bellevue-gstaad.ch or +41 33 748 00 01
Hotel Bernerhof
From 27th August to 3rd September this four-star hotel is offering guided walks with Leonz Blunschi, president of the Menuhin Festival and hiking instructor of Bernerhof. The package includes guided tours, fullboard (with a picnic on the hikes) and two concert tickets from �690 per person (based on a double room) and from �751 per person (single room). www.wanderhotel.ch or +41 33 748 88 44
Hostellerie Alpenrose Schonried
The four-star hotel has two nights, with concert tickets, including a pre or post-concert meal, breakfast and bus transfers to and from the concert, from �264 per person. www.hotelalpenrose.ch or +41 33 744 67 67
Hotel Olden Gstaad
The four-star hotel is offering a Menuhin Festival Weekend with welcome drink, three nights in a deluxe room, including breakfast, two dinners, two tickets to the Menuhin Festival, parking space in the hotel�s garage, for �487 per person (double room) or �672 (single room) including tax. www.hotelolden.com, +41 33 744 34 44 or [email protected])
Landhaus Saanen
The three-star hotel has two nights for �106 per person, on a half board basis including a welcome drink. (Extra night�s �53 per person) www.landhaus-saanen.ch or +41 33 748 40 40
The Gstaad Tourist Board can advise further places and offers of places to stay: www.gstaad.ch.
Editor�s notes :
The 2006 programme of the Menuhin Festival musical events can be found on the Internet at www.menuhinfestivalgstaad.com, where tickets can also be reserved. Prices start from about �13.00 (CHF 30.00).
For more information contact:
Magellan PR on Tel: 020 8875 2850
Email: [email protected]