Arts Global

In November, the Foundation presented a unique production of Igor Stravinsky's Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier's Tale). The concert, in coordination with the Swiss Embassy and taking place at the Russian Embassy in Washington DC, featured narration by Keith Miller and conducting by Advisory Board Member Geoffrey Simon. Histoire du Soldat was premiered in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1918. Konstantin Soukhovetski piano performed additional music.

Please click the underlined date to read the event programme.

The Australian Music Foundation (led by Swiss Global Director Heather de Haes) presented a Memorial Concert on 19 November at London’s Royal Academy of Music in memory of the great Australian conductor and oboist Sir Charles Mackerras. Several musicians from leading English orchestras were featured as part of the ceremonies.

Sir Charles died last year at age 84 after a long battle with cancer. He continued to conduct throughout his final illness, and the AMF and Swiss Global honour his memory.

The elite professional British choir Tenebrae, of which Swiss Global Director Heather de Haes is Patron, returned to New York on Sunday 6 November for a special concert performance. The ensemble, directed by Nigel Short, presented a variety of works for unaccompanied choir, including pieces by John Tavener, Ralph Vaughan Williams and others. The candlelit venue, St Mary the Virgin Church in Times Square, served as solemn background to an evening of unforgettable secular and religious music.

Please click the underlined date to view concert photos.

An exciting programme of Brahms and Liszt was presented by Foundation artists on 20 October at the Washington DC residence of the Swiss Ambassador to the United States. The intimate evening, in celebration of the bicentennial of Liszt's birth, was for invited guests only, and featured Luke Fleming viola (above left), David Fung piano (above right) and Mark Dover clarinet.

Please click the underlined date to see photos of the Ambassador's famous residence, designed by Steven Holl Architects and Rüssli Architekten AG.

On 7 and 8 October, Swiss Global jazz advisor Kate Baker (pictured right), as well as other eminent jazz musicians, led a two-day series of master classes and workshops on the art of jazz, blues and R&B performance. Presented in partnership with the Playhouse Project, classes detailed "what it takes to produce a jazz sound" as well as explored and defined different styles of performance and interpretation.

Selected high school students from the South Fork area of Long Island were invited to participate. Highlights of the weekend included faculty jams, ensemble sessions and food!

Please click the underlined date for complete Jazz Weekend details.

In continuation of a 4-part concert series at the New York residence of the Consul General of Switzerland, Ambassador Barras hosted an evening of musical entertainment for our American Friends of the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation. The donor event on 6 October featured Laure Barras soprano, Jean-Sélim Abdelmoula piano, Lionel Cottet cello and Louis Schwizgebel piano. As special guest lecturer, noted psychiatrist Richard Brockman discussed Mary Shelley and Frankenstein.

Please click the underlined date to view the event programme.

The Geneva International Orchestra (L’OIG) presented an exceptional concert under the Patronage of the Consulate of Japan.

After a triumphant opening concert in Oman for the 40th National Day of the Sultanate of Oman, the Geneva International Orchestra gave a unique concert at the Victoria Hall in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday, 23 September, under the direction of the renowned conductor Emmanuel Krivine (pictured right), together with the great cellist Gautier Capuçon.

Click the underlined date to view the photos, as well as for further information. Please click here to read a review from Le Temps.

On Friday and Saturday, 16-17 September, Swiss Global teamed up with the OSPAC Jazz Festival for a two-day performance extravaganza, featuring vibrant and talented jazz artists from around the world. The Ninth Annual Jazz Festival, taking place in an open-air setting in West Orange, New Jersey, was emceed by radio personality Gary Walker and featured international food vendors as well as artisans and crafts. OSPAC Executive Director Kate Baker (pictured right) said: “Our lineup of artists is an international mix of quintessential jazz stylists and modern and cultural jazz interpreters.” (Jazz star Ali Jackson, pictured left)

Swiss Global’s mission in this festival remains to benefit artists while providing significant cultural experiences. Beginning with classical musicians, the Foundation has expanded its scope and now includes jazz talents as well as musical theater performers.

Please click the underlined date for photos and full details.

The Embassy of Switzerland, The Jefferson Hotel and Swiss Global presented a concert in celebration of the Gallatin Room Dedication. The 15 September concert took place at The Jefferson Hotel in Washington DC, and featured three Swiss Global artists from Switzerland: Louis Schwizgebel-Wang piano, Lionel Cottet cello and Sébastian Jacot flute.

Albert Gallatin (pictured above), born and raised in Geneva, emigrated to the United States and became a U.S. Senator, a Congressman, the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. negotiator of the Treaty of Ghent, U.S. Minister to France and Britain, and the first president of the Council of New York University, among other distinctions.

Please click the underlined date for further information.

The Atypical Trio (often dubbed The Three Professors) is anything but typical: they are three of the most eminent members of the Swiss medical and teaching professions and are also passionate and well-trained amateur musicians. Swiss Global recognises that adult amateur musicians represent the fastest growing niche in classical music, hence the Foundation was pleased to support a concert on 31 May.

The trio, first heard by the Foundation in 2008 includes: Professors Jean-Blaise Wasserfallen flute, François Spertini viola and Jean-Paul Dépraz cello.

Click the underlined date for photos as well as a full review by Public Relations Advisor Michael Green.

On 21 May Swiss Global returned to the idyllic Beau Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne for a concert evening featuring Marie-Stéphanie Janecek Juma cello, a young artist of unique charm and musical charisma.

In continuation of a 4-part concert series at the New York residence of the Consul General of Switzerland, Ambassador Barras hosted an evening of musical entertainment for our American Friends of the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation. The donor event on 10 May 2011 featured Matthew Garrett tenor (pictured right), Djordje Nesic piano, Simon Powis guitar, Sébastian Jacot flute and Riko Higuma piano.

Please click the underlined date to see photos and view the programme.

The Foundation's partnership with Musique & Médecine presented an exciting evening concert set in the beautiful location of Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne. Featuring the Swiss Global Virtuoso Orchestra, directed by Foundation Artistic Advisor Wilson Hermanto (pictured right) and accompanied by acclaimed French soloist Gautier Capuçon (pictured left), the programme included Elgar, Haydn and Bartók. Please click the underlined date to view the poster.

A Swiss Global Presentation:

Speakeasy Moderne: Mingle with the Stars

An evening of cabaret, jazz and American musical theatre in the heart of New York City, which featured stars from Broadway's greatest shows.

Click the underlined date for complete details, and click here for photos!

In 2011 the Foundation is pleased to be helping talented artists in new music theatre, by incorporating broadway, cabaret and jazz musicians in our events and projects. Talented artists hail from every corner of the globe and their pathway to success is not always easy, especially in these highly competitive performance areas. By supporting Speakeasy and other similar events, Swiss Global Artistic Foundation has within its reach the ability to nurture the lives of those who can, in turn, uplift all of ours.

We are very pleased and grateful for the support and endorsement of Ambassador Francois Barras, Consul General of Switzerland in New York, for kindly hosting an evening for our American Friends of the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation at his residence. The donor event on 8 March 2011, Brahms and Liszt in Switzerland, featured three outstanding young musicians: Timothy Fain violin, Jacques Wood cello and David Fung piano.

Advance Notice: Swiss Global is pleased to announce a US-based Concert Series to take place in New York in 2011. Foundation Young Artists will be featured during this multi-month project.

Performances will take place at the New York residence of Ambassador François Barras at the following dates: