These were two concerts that gave us some wonderful moments. Not only the audience, but also the press is full of praise. The Luzerner Zeitung, for example, wrote of the „sparkling tone, the attacking virtuosity" or the "floating light intimacy". This refers to the playing of cellist ANASTASIA KOBEKINA - arguably THE rising cello star of these days - in the Rococo Variations by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. And continues: "From abysmally humming bass notes to falsetto heights balanced on the tips of needles, a panorama spreads out as wide and ramified as the mountains around Andermatt." ANASTASIA KOBEKINA is also full of praise: "It's just fun to play with the LUCERNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Their music-making is so sensitive. It's a mutual game of inspiration. Great."

Conductor and orchestra united in a lively symbiosis

Yes, it was a great weekend. On the one hand, unknown treasures were unearthed. In Friday's concert, the Norwegians ELDBJØRG HEMSING (violin), HÅVARD GIMSE (piano) and strings from the LUCERNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA played gems from the north. Pieces by Edvard Grieg and his lesser-known contemporaries such as Johan Halvorsen and Johan Svendsen. A mix of melancholy and dancing cheerfulness. On the other hand, classics made their appearance. On Saturday, for example, the LUZERNER SINFONIEORCHESTER performed Felix Mendelssohn's „Italian Symphony", conducted by the young conductor EMMANUEL TJEKNAVORIAN (29). Young only in years. He takes over the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano in the fall. No wonder! „He let Mendelssohn's symphony bubble up briskly, as bouncy as he was sharp of accent, and yet held the strings in his hand right up to the high-speed finale," enthused the Luzerner Zeitung. Such performances are only possible when all partners play at the highest level. The LUCERNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA shows the way here. Outstanding soloists in the wind section, balanced tutti playing and musical creativity are the key to this musical flight of fancy. An artistic brilliance, an - apparent - lightness that can only be achieved at the highest level.

Mix of party and noblesse

On Friday in particular, there was a much younger audience at the concert. This was certainly also due to the subsequent DJ party in the Cotton Club. On Saturday, guests were treated to the traditional deluxe dinner at The Chedi. The President of Swiss Alps Classics, Peter-Michael Reichel, was completely satisfied with the weekend. "When we started eight years ago, we were the first in Andermatt. There are now over 25 events with classical music. Andermatt has become a cultural metropolis - also thanks to us. It's great to see how an artist (Emmanuel Tjeknavorian), whom we supported from his earliest years, now conducts a large orchestra in Milan. The collaboration with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra is also very fruitful and produces great musical results."

Italian sensation

But the Swiss Alps Classics wouldn't be the Swiss Alps Classics without surprises. This year it was the Cotton Club. And next year, the organizers have pulled off a real coup. The guest orchestra is none other than the MAILÄNDER SCALA, one of the most famous orchestras in the world. "We've been working for three years to bring this top ensemble to Andermatt," explains Peter-Michael Reichel. "The idea has been around since Dominique Meyer became artistic director in Milan and I know him from his time in Vienna. I am extremely pleased that it will work out next year." This guest performance is taking place in cooperation with Andermatt Music.

Strong support from the canton

The festival's organizing committee would once again like to thank the Canton of Uri and its Director of Education and Culture, Beat Jörg, who has always supported the festival in recent years. „The Swiss Alps Classics remains a highlight in Uri's cultural calendar and enriches the cultural offerings in Andermatt," says Cantonal Councillor Beat Jörg, Director of Education and Culture. "The outstanding soloist, the extraordinary and impressive works and the excellent Lucerne Symphony Orchestra have once again provided an exceptional musical experience in the concert hall in Andermatt."