Crans-Montana Classics is the enchantment of music and the euphoria of the peaks, a perfect symbiosis between Art and Nature.
We are happy to invite you again, without barriers, to enjoy exceptional music in an enchanting setting.
A word from our President Gérard Bagnoud
“The pessimist complains about the wind: the optimist expects it to change, the realist adjusts the sails.”
I dedicate these wise words by William Arthur Ward to you, convinced that they will introduce the spirit and tone of our great January concerts.
While there are many uncertainties around the world, there is still a choice as to which path to take to deal with them. Classical music has always weathered the storms of history by soothing and comforting the mind.
Creativity, resilience and determination are all values that we’ve had an opportunity to develop. They will be invaluable to us in the future.
Since its foundation, more than 10 years ago, CMClassics has been committed to bringing great music to the Haut-Plateau. Our events and concerts, always incredibly popular, contribute to the cultural influence of Crans-Montana as well as to the meeting of music lovers from different walks of life. Rest assured that we will do our utmost to continue to offer you numerous and varied musical experiences throughout the year.
These January concerts launch the Valais cultural year. I would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank our Patrons, Sponsors and Friends for their loyalty and their essential generosity.
The entire Crans-Montana Classics team would like to join me in wishing you a wonderful musical season and all the very best to you and your loved ones in 2023.
Fair winds and following seas!
Gérard Bagnoud
A word from our musical Director Michael Guttman
Dear friends of Crans-Montana Classics,
This winter season on the Haut-Plateau promises to take us once again to new heights of emotion, virtuosity and beauty. Real musical fireworks thanks to wonderful artists, who come from all over the world to Crans-Montana to share their enthusiasm and their art with us.
As on every January 1st, the wonder will be present, thanks to two marvellous pianists, Mikhail Pletnev and Alexandre Kantorow, the former taking up the baton this time to accompany his young colleague in what will surely be a discovery for many of you: Tchaikovsky’s rarely played Second Concerto, which earned the young Frenchman of Russian origin a well-deserved first prize in the eponymous Competition.
The next day, to carry on what is now a generous tradition, a concert awaited by all the families, which will be hosted by the brilliant and cheerful imp that is Maurice Steger with his twirling recorder.
The guest of honour at the February concerts will undoubtedly be the brilliant Argentinean pianist, Martha Argerich. As one of the finest pianists for decades, she will be with us on 18 February, surrounded by her close friends, in an eclectic programme, ranging from Mozart to Shostakovich.
To open the February musical weekends, a shining star, a phenomenon from Naples, winner of the Paganini Competition 2021, Giuseppe Gibboni. He will be surrounded by the Soloists of the Menuhin Academy – not to be missed!
On the 17th, with Pierre Genisson, the most acclaimed of French clarinettists, and the wonderful Hermes Quartet, a concert where virtuosity and complicity between five inseparable friends will be there to entertain you. And the first to rejoice will be Haydn, Mozart and Weber!
“Aimez-vous Brahms” wrote Françoise Sagan, without a question mark… Indeed, how can one resist the profound humanity, the heart-rending lyricism and the waves of emotion that the Master of Hamburg arouses? On 25 February, you can enjoy total immersion with Francesco de Angelis, violin, Jing Zhao, cello, and Roberto Paruzzo, piano, three masters of chamber music.
And to finish in a blaze of glory, the concert of 4 March, where Henri Demarquette, the best representative of the great French cello school, will offer us a unique programme in Switzerland in 2023, a real initiatory trip through the centuries (from the 16th to the 21st). His strings and bow will mingle with the crystal-clear voices of the Sequenza 9.3 ensemble, in this “Vocello” programme that we are happy to present to you in the wonderful acoustics of Chapelle St-Christophe.
A rich and varied season which we are looking forward to enjoying with you.
Musically yours,
Michael Guttman