Four Decades of Musical Brilliance – The Hagen Quartet’s Farewell Performance in Gstaad
Hailed by The New York Times as “the ideal string quartet” and praised by The Washington Post as “one of the finest quartets of our time,” the Hagen Quartet is not just a musical ensemble – it’s a phenomenon. For over 40 years, the quartet has set new standards in chamber music with its extraordinary sound culture, stylistic versatility, seamless interplay, and deep reverence for an astonishingly vast repertoire. Since its founding in 1981, the Hagen Quartet has captivated audiences around the globe, forging an unparalleled career that includes groundbreaking collaborations with the world’s most celebrated artists, top competition wins, exclusive recording contracts, and more than 45 studio albums. Their unmistakable artistic signature has shaped generations. In 2026, the quartet bids farewell to the stage. But before then, there’s one last opportunity to experience this legendary ensemble in Gstaad – on August 21. It will be a moment of both celebration and reflection, marking the end of an era at our festival after countless unforgettable performances. For their final bow in Gstaad, the Hagen Quartet turns to two towering masters of the repertoire: Shostakovich and Brahms – composers who redefined the string quartet genre. Their timeless works have helped elevate the Hagen Quartet to the summit of the chamber music world. And as always, they’ll perform on their legendary Stradivarius instruments – treasures of sound that open doors to a world of unmatched musical depth.
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla – A Global Star Meets Monumental Orchestral Power
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla is rewriting the history books. Just recently, the Lithuanian conductor made headlines as the first woman ever to lead a subscription concert of the legendary Vienna Philharmonic. Her schedule reads like a roll call of the world’s great musical capitals – Monaco, Paris, Philadelphia, Madrid, New York. Wherever she goes, her uncompromising musical vision, electrifying stage presence, and boundless artistic energy leave audiences spellbound. Her conducting style is a masterclass in musical communication: wide, expressive gestures full of intention and clarity, breathing life into every note. This is a conductor who doesn't just perform music – she ignites it. At the heart of her Gstaad performance on August 9 lies one of the most beloved symphonies of all time: Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” Having studied under Gustavo Dudamel, Gražinytė-Tyla brings a similarly bold, high-voltage approach – often marked by daring tempo shifts and surges of emotion. It’s Dvořák as you’ve rarely heard him: dramatic, alive, and brimming with expression. This epic symphony, Dvořák’s affectionate nod to his American experience, offers the perfect canvas for Gražinytė-Tyla’s unique interpretive voice. As the composer himself once said with a wink, anyone with a “good nose” will spot the American influence. Will you?
Artistic Director Christoph Müller’s Insider Tip
“To me, Jakub Orliński embodies the musician of the future: with his ethereal, angelic voice, magnetic stage presence, and a golden touch for blending genres and styles into a seamless, compelling work of art. Every performance is a celebration of music and expression at its finest. It’s time to bring him to Gstaad – and what better way than with the electrifying ensemble Il Pomo d'Oro at his side? Pure joy awaits! Their programme “Beyond” on September 5 promises much more than just a concert. With music by Monteverdi, Caccini, Frescobaldi, and other early Baroque masters, the evening will stir hearts and ignite passion. Together with Jakub Orliński, this rich soundscape becomes a powerful testament to just how vibrant, relevant, and emotionally resonant early music can be – far beyond convention and bursting with freshness and depth.”
MOZART IN THE HANDS OF ALEXANDRA DOVGAN
On July 25, Alexandra Dovgan shares the stage with the magnetic Bar Avni. Avni, too, has a history with our Festival – she first appeared in 2019 as a participant of the Gstaad Conducting Academy. This summer, she takes the helm of the Kammerorchester Basel to present one of Mozart’s most stirring masterpieces: the Piano Concerto No. 20 D minor – dramatic, passionate, and eternally beautiful.
CUSTOMIZED MASTER COURSES
For over a decade, the Gstaad Conducting Academy has offered aspiring conductors a unique opportunity in Europe: two intensive weeks with the Gstaad Festival Orchestra, guided by true masters of the craft. Renowned pianist Sir András Schiff teaches selected talents of the Gstaad Piano Academy for seven days at the Kirchgemeindehaus Gstaad. At the Gstaad String Academy, violinists, violists, and cellists come together for ten days to refine their skills under the guidance of Rainer Schmidt, Ettore Causa, and Ivan Monighetti. The Gstaad Vocal Academy continues ist inspiring collaboration with exceptional artist Ludovic Tézier. For one week, a select group of young singers delves into the art of opera and French vocal art, guided by a true master. Recorder virtuoso and founder of the Gstaad Baroque Academy, Maurice Steger, leads participants into the vibrant world of the 16th to 18th centuries. Finally, the Amateur Orchestra Week is dedicated to Mahler’s monumental “Titan” Symphony, as well as works by Verdi, Brahms, Weinberg, and Gershwin.
the Gstaad Concert Hall
The Vision for the Gstaad Concert Hall Gains Momentum and Public Support.
A world-class concert hall with 1,200 seats – designed with state-of-the-art acoustics and modern architecture – is set to replace the current Gstaad Festival Tent and reinforce Gstaad’s position as a cultural hotspot.
Closely linked to this vision is a new multi-purpose venue that will host sports and events all year round. A major milestone on the path to realisation came on April 4, 2025, when residents of the Saanen municipality overwhelmingly approved funding for the planning phase of the sports and event hall. A clear message: the community stands behind the project and its ambitious goals.
Our Mission Menuhin
As part of the recently launched "Mission Menuhin“ initiative, Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy has embraced a profound commitment to sustainability. To achieve this goal, we have defined measures that contribute to gradually reducing our CO2 emissions and raising awareness among our audience, team, and partners about responsible resource management. Some of these measures have already been implemented, such as the concert series “Music for the Planet”. Many more will follow, both during and around the Festival. Would you like to join us on this journey? Visit “Mission Menuhin” to keep up to date about new measures, projects, and progress.
gstaad academy
It is with the idea of perpetuating its commitment to the next generation that Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy created the Gstaad Academy in 2008: a structure in its own right to support an increasingly rich academic offer. At the Gstaad Academy we offer the complete range of master courses addressed to young professionals, as well as all the courses which are aimed at amateur orchestra musicians of all ages.
YEHUDI MENUHIN
Lord Menuhin, the founder of the Gstaad classical music festival bearing his name, is still remembered as a world famous violin child prodigy, conductor and humanist. His remarkable humanity, his multi-faceted artistic gifts and his perpetual curiosity were the hallmarks of his creative endeavours. It was in 1957 that this honorary resident of Saanen founded the legendary festival in the Saanenland. The promotion of young talent was just as important to him as playing music amongst friends.
