Nordic sound worlds at the 89th Braunwald Music Week

The centrepiece of this year’s choir week is the work of Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, whose atmospheric choral music has been widely acclaimed. The programme is complemented by compositions by Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds and American composer Eric Whitacre, who are among the most important representatives of contemporary choral music.

The two final concerts will take place on Saturday, 8 August, in the Reformed Church in Linthal and on Sunday, 9 August in the Rapperswil Castle. The choir and vocal ensemble of the Braunwald Music Week will perform under the direction of Patrick Secchiari. They will be accompanied by an ad-hoc string quartet and Alexander Ruef on the piano.

On Tuesday, 4 August, all those who enjoy singing are invited to an open singing session at the BSINTI Braunwald Cultural Café. Another highlight follows on Thursday, 6 August: under the title ‘Irrlichter auf Reisen’ cellist Karolina Öhman and pianist Alexander Ruef will present an extraordinary chamber music programme featuring works by Claude Debussy, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Nordic composers such as Kaija Saariaho, Christian Sinding and Lotta Wennäkoski.

The Braunwald Music Week is one of the most traditional music events in Switzerland and has combined musical quality with inspiring encounters in the mountain world of the Glarnerland region for decades.

Programme Overview

Tuesday, 4 August, 7.30 p.m.
Open singing with Swiss songs, Kulturcafé BSINTI, Braunwald

Thursday, 6 August, 8 p.m.
Kulturcafé BSINTI, Braunwald
Will-o’-the-Wisps on Tour
Karolina Öhman (cello), Alexander Ruef (piano)

Saturday, 8 August, 7 p.m.
Reformed Church Linthal
Northern Lights: Works by Gjeilo, Esenvalds and Whitacre
Choir and Vocal Ensemble of the Braunwald Choral Week
Conductor: Patrick Secchiari

Sunday, 9 August, 5 p.m.
Rapperswil Castle
Northern Lights: Works by Gjeilo, Esenvalds and Whitacre
Choir and Vocal Ensemble of the Braunwald Choral Week
Conductor: Patrick Secchiari