“I like to get things moving”
Franziska von Arb is the chief executive of Klosters Music and she is not only responsible for the finances, but she is also the one who plans and organises the implementation the concerts. Georg Rudiger spoke to her about her ideas for expanding the festival, a more sophisticated family concert and the invited artists Andreas Ottensamer and Augustin Hadelich.
In the context of marriage, one talks about the seven-year itch. So how do you see this 7th edition of Klosters Music in this respect?
With great anticipation. In this “marriage” with my team at Klosters Music things run smoothly, nothing to worry about (laughs). I am amazed at how quickly the time has flown by. And I am happy to see how far we have come. I am looking forward to working with a bigger team. We will be joined by Christine von Siebenthal, a well-respected marketing expert who I have known for quite some time.
Will the festival continue to grow?
Absolutely! Although it’s a challenge to fulfil the expectations that exist every year, I would like to carry on introducing new formats in the future.
Do you mean the family concert?
It is very important to me that we get even more children and young people interested in classical music. We want this interest to take root here so that young visitors stay connected to our festival. We would also like to further increase the number of visitors. With 700 visitors, we are already reaching the limits of our capacity at some concerts. But we have a hall twice as large in the same complex. And with this hall, there is definitely a very real possibility for growth if demand continues to rise.
What are you particularly looking forward to at the next summer festival, which has the theme “Myths and Legends”?
To each and every concert. It’s hard to decide on a single one. I’m delighted that we can once again count on a top choir for the opening concert with the Zürcher Sing-Akademie after 2023. The closing weekend in the Romantic programme, i.e. Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, performed by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, is also very attractive. We haven’t had anything quite like this repertoire before. For the family concert, “Peter and the Wolf”, we commissioned an animation that transports the story to the Grisons mountains. Showing this on the big screen, with moving pictures that still leave plenty of room for the children’s imagination, makes the concert even more appealing. I’m also pleased that chamber music is being given more space with the Schumann Quartet and clarinettist Andreas Ottensamer and the young Amatis Trio.
Andreas Ottensamer was supposed to be your guest two years ago, but he was unable to attend due to an injury. What do you expect from him on his debut at Klosters?
Andreas Ottensamer is an extremely multifaceted musician and seems to have many other talents. He is passionate about tennis, golf, football and skiing. His clarinet playing is versatile, intelligent and highly natural. Also, he always communicates with the audience – which makes concerts with him particularly enjoyable for listeners.
Violinist Augustin Hadelich will also be a guest in Klosters for the first time, performing Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto. You studied the violin yourself. What is so special about this concert?
With the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, we are presenting for the first time a highly romantic, virtuoso violin concerto that has mesmerised audiences since its premiere in 1878. Augustin Hadelich combines technical expertise with enormous musicality. I am very much looking forward to his performance. For me, the concerto has a tremendous power and intensity – you have to keep listening to it. There is no safety net, it’s all or nothing. If I had one wish, I would like to have the technical ability to play this violin concerto with an orchestra. Just the once, that would be enough for me. (laughs)
In the run-up to this year’s festivals, you had spectacular events with Julie Fuchs paragliding and Maurice Steger on the ski slopes. Is a similar PR campaign planned for the coming year?
We will certainly do something very exciting. Be prepared to be surprised.
What do you enjoy about your work as chief executive?
I like having responsibility and to get things moving. I enjoy being the driving force that puts ideas into practice and I like challenges. I also really appreciate working in our team and getting this festival off the ground together. And if we then get good feedback from our visitors, I am totally happy.
And what could you do without?
Fundraising is sometimes exhausting and can also be stressful. The Board of Trustees and the Patrons’ Association share this responsibility, which is a very important point, but as chief executive I am ultimately responsible for the finances. But it’s all the nicer when after many conversations you manage to convince someone to support our festival.