2023-07-17 07:42:54
Located in Haut-Valais, Ernen celebrates this year the half-century of the creation of its concert season. The church of the small alpine village hosts baroque music concerts, piano recitals, jazz concerts, readings, orchestral and chamber music every summer.
At the origin of the history of the Ernen festival, we find the American pianist of Hungarian origin György Sebők (1922-1999). This renowned musician, who impressed with his culture, his humanism and the depth of his musical thought, was the first to bring artists from all over the world to Ernen.
Alongside his musician friends, he invited students whom he made work. The young artists thus had the chance to rub shoulders with the master for three weeks, receiving very valuable advice from him before being invited to put the lessons to good use by performing in concert with seasoned artists. From 1987, his masterclasses were combined with a festival that quickly established itself as an unmissable event.
Concerts throughout the summer
Particularity of the Musikfestival Ernen, the concerts extend throughout the summer and until October. This year, fifty very varied concerts are on the program for the anniversary edition. For a few days, the piano is in the spotlight (July 8-14 and August 25-27), then begins a fortnight of baroque music (July 16-27), followed by chamber music (July 30-August 11). An organ masterclass is given by Zsigmond Szathmáry between August 12 and 18, then several concerts until October 22.
Less known to French-speaking than German-speaking people, the festival attracts a regular audience, fascinated by the setting in which the event takes place and attracted by the high-level musical programme.
Musicians often return from one year to the next, like the Valais pianist Beatrice Berrut, who performed there on June 24 in a program devoted to Mozart. “When you’re on stage and the church door is open, you have a view of the Valais Alps, it’s wonderfully beautiful. (…) The generosity of the director of the event, Francesco Walter, shines on the festival. I love playing in Ernen, it has a very special place in my heart”.
In this small village, nestled at 1200 meters above sea level, we are far from the star system. It is not the artists who are put forward, but the music. Confirmed or emerging artists, all are welcomed in the same way. The love of music and this equal treatment are the hallmarks of this festival.
Radio Sujet: Catherine Buser
Adaptation web: mh
Musikdorf Ernen Festival, until October 22, 2023.
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