Enthusiasm and strong emotions
The sixth edition of Klosters Music began with two brilliant concerts by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen under the passionate direction of Maxim Emelyanychev, which were met with ecstatic standing ovations. Alina Ibragimova discovered new worlds in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, before Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor “From the New World” in a performance full of colour and emotion. Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki was celebrated like a rock star for his profound interpretation of Edvard Grieg’s piano concerto in which he balanced its extremes. The second half of the festival offers very different line-ups and a wide range of styles – from song recitals to film music concerts, from piano recitals to large symphony concerts.
BLUE SKIES
Thursday, 1 August 2024, 5 pm, Concert Hall, Arena Klosters
Thomas Hampson is known as a charismatic opera singer and a sensitive performer of songs. At his debut in Klosters on the Swiss national day, the American baritone will be performing songs and jazz standards from the “Great American Songbook” – evergreens such as “Night and Day” by Cole Porter, “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin and several songs by George Gershwin such as “Love Walked In” and “Fascinating Rhythm”. Hampson grew up with these songs because his mother sang, accompanying herself on the piano. “We will be improvising a lot on stage. This spontaneity in music is very enriching for me. Concerts with the Janoska Ensemble give me a lot of energy for my future work,” says Thomas Hampson. He is looking forward to this compered concert, which he believes is suitable for the whole family because it will be casual and easy-going.
More information about the concert and ticket sales can be found here.
INTO THE DEPTHS
Friday, 2 August 2024, 5 pm, St. Jacob’s Church, Klosters
“Schubert’s music is the most humane music I know,” says Sir András Schiff. “What touches me most is his modesty, his humility, his lack of egotism.” For his recital in St. Jakob’s Church, the pianist has chosen exclusively works by Franz Schubert. His piano music is characterised by the alternation between major and minor, between idyll and irritation, between cheerfulness and uncertainty. And always by a great vocality. “Schubert is the composer of the human voice,” according to Schiff. “Even if he wrote music for piano only, the human voice is always present. To a certain extent, his piano pieces are songs without words, but when I play them, I imagine the words.” It was mostly his friends who would come to listen to his music in privately-held concerts, the so-called “Schubertiaden”. It is this intimacy and highly personal touch that can also be felt in Schubert’s piano music.
Only a few tickets are still available for this concert.
More information about the concert and ticket sales can be found here.
DIE SCHÖNE MÜLLERIN
Friday, 2 August 2024, 7.30 pm, St. Jacob’s Church, Klosters
In this second Friday concert Sir András Schiff will perform for the first time as a song accompanist. The German tenor Julian Prégardien, who celebrated his debut at the Salzurg Festival in 2018, interprets the famous song cycle “Die Schöne Müllerin”, setting standards in song interpretation with his understanding of the text and his richly coloured voice. Last year Prégardien celebrated the 200th anniversary of the cycle during a two-week residence in Vienna with the multi-media project “Müller*in Wien”, performing songs written by the composer in different venues, among others in Schubert’s birthplace in the ninth district. The twenty songs become a mirror of the soul. The audience joins the miller on a journey which begins full of hope, followed by sorrow, with an end that promises redemption.
More information about the concert and ticket sales can be found here.
IMPERIAL ENCOUNTERS
Saturday, 3 August 2024, 7 pm, Concert Hall, Arena Klosters
This is the first time a brass instrument, specifically the horn, takes centre stage at a Klosters Music concert. It will be played by the young British horn player Ben Goldscheider, who combines virtuosity with spontaneity and musicality. “Playing the horn is a dream come true for me. And I am delighted to be able to present the instrument in Klosters. I want to show how beautiful the sound of the horn is and how versatile the instrument can be,” says Goldscheider. Mozart was a shining example for Peter Tchaikovsky, whose suite from his ballet “Swan Lake” opens the concert – played by the Munich Chamber Orchestra conducted by Christoph Koncz. After the interval, the dramatic Symphony No. 2 in C major by Robert Schumann and the Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor by Johannes Brahms, who was strongly encouraged by his role model Schumann, will be performed.
More information about the concert and ticket sales can be found here.
«AND THE OSCAR GOES TO …»
Sunday, 4 August 2024, 5 pm, Concert Hall, Arena Klosters
Cinema films with live music have a long tradition in Klosters. In the past, “Cinema Paradiso”, “Singin’ in the rain” and even three silent films at the last festival have thrilled audiences. This year, film music takes even more of the spotlight at the end of the festival. “James Bond” or “Star Wars”, “Harry Potter”, “Indiana Jones” or “Lawrence of Arabia” – the City Light Symphony Orchestra knows them all. Under experienced conductor Kevin Griffiths, action themes meet romance. Matching film sequences or images are shown on the big screen to the gripping music of composers such as Ennio Morricone, John Barry and John Williams. An evening packed with fond memories and strong emotions. And of course, popcorn is a must for this very special cinema experience.
More information about the concert and ticket sales can be found here.