Russian Life in the Exil – Inner Emigration VII
Symphony Concert
Friday, 29. August 2025
7:30 p.m., Gstaad Festival Tent
The penultimate weekend of the Festival kicks off with an entirely Russian evening – but seen through the lens of exile. Ten years after the premiere of his Second Symphony (performed at the evening by Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich), Sergei Rachmaninov is forced into exile by the escalating revolution, leaving his homeland never to return. In contrast, Dmitri Shostakovich stays in the Soviet Union, engaging in a quiet, internal resistance known as “inner exile”. Rather than fleeing, he challenges the communist regime with music that often, as even the censors acknowledged, speaks between the lines.
My concert visit
Arrival by public transport
Our tips: Use our festival bus, which will take you directly to the Festival Tent from two directions: Further information can be found here.
Benefit from a 20% discount on your public transportation journey: Details can be found here.
Arriving by private car
However, there are several parking lots available in the surrounding area, just a few minutes' walk from the Festival Tent.
Our tip: Use the parking lot at the Talstation Wispile and take the free shuttle service from there, which will take you comfortably to the entrance of the venue. From Saanen, please follow the signs with the Park + Ride symbol. Overview of parking options
Sol Gabetta, Cello
Tonhalle Orchester Zürich, Ensemble
Paavo Järvi, Conductor
| Dmitri Schostakowitsch (1906–1975) | |
| Cello Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 126 | 35' |
| Sergei Rachmaninow (1873–1943) | |
| Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27 | 65' |
| 130' (interval included) | |