so he’ll certainly come one day to perform at the Sommets Musicaux.
Classical music is the last modern art! I can’t stand to hear that it is dying! Renaud Capuçon
or are directed, by violinists, as opposed to musicians who play other instruments? Yehudi Menuhin was much more than a violinist; he was a wise man, a humanist, and a great soul. It is a miracle to see what he achieved in his life and also here in Gstaad. That said, any musician who can prepare and share music with others could do it. But when they’re named Yehudi Menuhin, Pablo Casals, or Daniel Barenboim, they take on another dimension.
Your brother, Gauthier, is a well-known cellist. Will we see any Capuçon family concerts with your brother at the cello? Playing music with my brother is natural,
What are your thoughts on the future of classical music? Is it a dying art?
Classical music is the last modern art! I can’t stand to hear that it is dying! If you analyse how many young players and companies are on the public scene, you really can’t come to the conclusion that classic music is dying.
I’ve seen your short film, 7.57 am-pm, which features you playing anonymously in the Paris metro. After a day of playing, you have earned just a few euros. Two days later you play a sold out concert, where attendees have likely paid large sums to hear you. What point are you trying to make about the value of music? This film was a project that drew on what Joshua Bell, the violinist, did in the Washington D.C. metro several years ago. The director, Simon LeLouch asked me to film the same activity for a short film. This was truly an experience!
Les Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad From 29 January to 6 February 2016, the Sommets Musicaux will bring beautiful music to the Saanenland. This year, the renowned violinist Renaud Capuçon, as musical director, is sure to add his touch of creativity to the festival and its programming. Over two weeks, the Sommets Musicaux will feature baroque and classical concerts in three cycles held in the region’s historic churches. Gstaad will host the discovery of young talent; Saanen will host the biggest festival stars; Rougemont will serve as the base for Capuçon’s “coups de coeur,” the concerts that hold a special place in his heart.
The piano is the featured instrument in 2016, and legendary performer Martha Argerich will open the festival with the Kremerata Baltica.
Just some of the musicians who bring their incomparable talent to this 16th annual edition of the festival are soprano Olga Peretyatko, Camerata Bern, Gil Shaham, and Miloš Karadaglić. As for exceptional pieces of music, the Bach Double Concerto will make an appearance. Renaud Capuçon invited back young violinist Daniel Lozakovitj and the Luzern Festival Strings to play the concerto as an hommage to Yehudi Menuhin, who would’ve celebrated his 100 th birthday in 2016.
Two prizes will be given out this year, the Prix André Hoffmann, which awards CHF 5,000 for the best interpretation of a piece by composer in residence Thierry Escaich, and the Prix Thierry Scherz, which will allow a young virtuoso to record an album with orchestral accompaniment, released by Claves Records.
For more information and a detailed programme, please visit www.sommets-musicaux.ch
PROFILE // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 8 // DECEMBER 31, 2015
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