Arts Global

Swiss Global is proud to welcome Christie Starrett Guillermo as Director of Concert Management USA. Currently the General Manager of the American Boychoir, Ms Guillermo worked many years in arts management at The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and IMG Artists in New York. Her expertise will be invaluable in further establishing the Foundation's presence in the United States.

A magical evening of music and holiday festivities on 17 December featured international musicians and eminent members of Australian-American society. Musicians appeared under the auspices of the Australian Music Foundation (chaired by Swiss Global director Heather de Haes), which was invited to participate at the event by the American Australian Association. The AMF is focusing on building a presence in the United States in 2010.

The unforgettable venue: a luxury Fifth Avenue penthouse in New York, with stunning views of the unmatched skyline. Please click the underlined date for photos.

The elite British professional choir, Tenebrae, embarks on a Swiss concert tour. 15 and 16 December bring the ensemble to Le Collégiale de Romont and the Abbaye de Bonmont (pictured right), in Canton Vaud, Switzerland, for Christmas celebration concerts. The historic venues will add an immeasurably contemplative quality to the programme, which features a variety of traditional and modern Christmas works, from composers including Britten, Poulenc and Rutter. Tenebrae is represented and managed by Swiss Global in the United States.

Please click the underlined date to view the concert programme and poster.

"Mr. Simon is unusually adept at meeting the musicians where they are and charming, cajoling, and coaxing them to new heights of artistry." The quote from the East Hampton Star refers to the well-received 2-day Masterclass and Workshop in association with the Playhouse Project. An annual event, the collaboration with the Long Island-based organisation features Foundation Artistic Director Geoffrey Simon and local musicians ranging in age from 7 to 70.

Please click the underlined date to read the full article, and visit the 23 October News and Events articles for further information.

Swiss Global continues its association with the Playhouse Project in a two-day Workshop and Performance of various choral works. Representing several schools and community choruses in the South Fork region, approximately 100 musicians ranging in age from 14 to over 70 will collaborate on this exciting project.

Click the underlined date to read the programme, and please see the Events sections for further details!

The British professional choir Tenebrae performed to rapturous applause Wednesday evening in its New York debut concert. The ensemble, directed by Nigel Short, presented a variety of works for unaccompanied choir, including pieces by Duruflé and Poulenc, medieval chants, and 21st-century compositions. The appreciative audience filled the Times Square venue, namely the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and enjoyed the solemnity of the candlelit atmosphere.

Festivities continued later at the Harvard Club, where lucky patrons were serenaded by a small group from members of Tenebrae. Musical numbers included Billy Joel and The Beatles! Click on the underlined date to see a large concert photo, and please read the News and Events articles from 21 October for additional information.

Wednesday
21 October
at 7:30pm

The Swiss Global Artistic Foundation proudly presented Tenebrae in its candlelit New York debut concert
at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, 145 West 46th Street, near Times Square.

“Passion and Precision is the choir’s motto, and here is an organisation that lives up to its claim.”
The Times, London

Music by Poulenc, Durufle, Tavener, Whitacre and Talbot, linked by Medieval Chants and Processionals.

Click here for full concert details.
(Go to Events for information about the Patrons' post-concert Reception at the Harvard Club of New York City.)

Cannot attend but would like to support the concert? Please click here.

In July and August, Swiss Global is holding private auditions for potential new artists.

As a result of these current auditions, Jacques Lee Wood cello has been selected as the newest addition to the Foundation's roster. The Yale University doctoral candidate was already a talented performer at an early age, and comes from a musical family of Korean and European ancestry. He is in demand as a soloist, chamber musician and instructor.

The awards presentation for the 2009 Elizabeth Brockman Awards will take place at the 5th Annual Playhouse Project Benefit Concert on Saturday, June 13th. The two winning students, Elizabeth Oldak voice and Shanna Polley composition will perform on the same bill with Anonymous 4, the virtuoso a cappella women's quartet.

Please see the 23 May News article for photos, and the Past Events section for more information!

Playhouse Project and Swiss Global returned to East Hampton, New York in late May for two days of talent and showmanship. The 5th Annual Master Class, led by Artistic Director Geoffrey Simon, featured middle and high school musicians from the South Fork region. Audiences were delighted by the level of musicianship and the educational value of the classes. Maestro Simon, assisted by the Master Class Panel, selected Elizabeth Oldak voice and Shanna Polley composition as winners of the Elizabeth Brockman Award in Music.

Please click the underlined date to see photos.

Following the Foundation's recent loan of the treasured Grancino cello (dated 1700) to the Jerusalem Quartet, the dynamic and exciting ensemble will perform string quartets of Haydn and Debussy in mid-May. The venue, London's Middle Temple Hall, is a 16th-century structure where Shakespeare's Twelfth Night was first performed.

This event will be the Quartet's first performance in the United Kingdom with the new instrument. Swiss Global is supporting the concert in association with Sir Stanley and Lady Burnton.

Click the underlined date to read the invitation, and please read the 5 April News article which contains further details about the Quartet.

The professional chamber choir Tenebrae performs medieval and renaissance works, often using candlelight to enhance the atmosphere of spiritual and musical reflection. As part of its ongoing relationship with Tenebrae, Swiss Global will host a reception for the performers and invited guests at the conclusion of the 18 April concert. The performance will be held at Stravinsky Hall in Montreux, with the reception at the nearby Swiss Global Headquarters.

Please click the underlined date for details about the upcoming concert.

A prized possession of the Foundation, the Grancino cello (dated 1700) will be placed on loan to the Jerusalem Quartet, one of the most dynamic and exciting quartets currently performing. In celebration of this unique partnership, Swiss Global is sponsoring a concert with the quartet and the cello at London's famed Wigmore Hall, slated for October 2009.

Click the underlined date for more information about the Jerusalem Quartet.

The talent was overwhelming. Musicians from all over the world auditioned in Europe to become roster members of Swiss Global, and five have been accepted. We are extremely pleased to welcome, pictured left to right, from France Matthieu Gauci-Ancelin flute and Yann Dubost double bass, from England Oliver Poole piano, from Austria Erwin Belakowitsch baritone, and our first Hungarian artist, Noemi Gyori flute.

Click on their names to read their biographies. Their talents will be a great supplement to our list of world-class young artists. Please check this website often as these new musicians are incorporated into the Swiss Global family!

The Playhouse Project, a Swiss Global collaborative artistic organisation based in East Hampton, presented a Preview Concert and Masterclass in New York on 15 March. The masterclass, led by Artistic Director Geoffrey Simon, featured prominent teenage musicians.

Please click the underlined date to read the programme, and see the Events section to view the full article as well as photos!

Following successful auditions in New York this month, three new artists have been added to the Foundation's roster: the Russian cellist Fedor Amosov, the American pianist Sara Daneshpour and Swiss Global's first Icelandic artist, Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir cello. All three experienced musicians have performed as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician in Europe, Asia and the United States, often through the guidance and partnership of the world's foremost players. They each furthered their studies at American conservatories.

Please click the artists' underlined names to read their biographies, and also visit www.saeunn.com to learn more about Ms Thorsteinsdottir.

The Foundation is in New York this week, where Artistic Director Geoffrey Simon is serving as juror at the 2009 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Swiss Global has appreciated a long and productive collaboration with the organisation, and will award a Prize (which includes cash and a European performance) at the Finals on 17 January.

Swiss Global is also hearing auditions for potential Young Artists. Please see the article dated 24 December for more information.