Contemporary Swiss music

This year’s «Tonkünstlerfest» is being held in Lucerne. This large-scale showcase for contemporary Swiss music will feature no fewer than 24 world premieres in 48 hours. [dated September 2010]

Contemporary Swiss music Judging by the selection of works being performed at this year's «Tonkünstlerfest», the Swiss music scene is vibrant and multi-faceted. The programme includes large-scale orchestral concerts and intimate solo recitals, dance music and «theâtre musical», improvisation concerts and a sound installation. As many as 24 works will receive their world premieres in Lucerne on 11 and 12 September.

The Tonkünstlerfest has, for the first time in its 110-year history, been invited to the renowned Lucerne Festival, which has chosen contemporary Swiss music as a focal point in its summer programme. «(z)eidgenössisCH» (a play on words in German meaning both contemporary and federal, i.e. Swiss), is the double-layered name of this festival-within-a-festival that will transform Lucerne into a centre for new music on the second weekend of September.

Besides established composers such as Dieter Ammann, who is this year’s Composer-in-Residence, the 2010 festival will also feature younger talents. Pro Helvetia has commissioned works from six Swiss composers: Cécile Marti, Xavier Dayer, Stefan Wirth, Nadir Vassena, Michael Wertmüller and Dieter Ammann.

Thanks to the Lucerne Festival’s international reputation, the composers' works are likely to be performed not just this once in Switzerland but hopefully also in other countries as well in the near future. At the invitation of Pro Helvetia, large numbers of important arts administrators and organisers from all over Europe will be attending the «(z)eidgenössisCH» festival.

Further information: www.tonkuenstlerfest.ch www.lucernefestival.ch