It took place for the first time in 2017 and Ginesta Immobilien has been supporting it as a sponsor since 2018: the K\u00fcsnacht Classical Music Festival. Despite intensive preparations for this year’s 6th edition, which will take place between September 14 and 18, 2022, Astrid Leutwyler, Managing Director and Artistic Director of the festival together with her sister Sonja Leutwyler, found the time to talk to us. How the festival is doing today, how important the right support is and what they hope for the future. <\/p>\n
Dear Astrid. We are delighted that you still found the time to visit us. <\/strong><\/p>\n With pleasure. Of course, there’s still a lot to do, but we’re very well organized and to be honest, I can hardly wait for it to start. Because every concert is a world premiere of works that have been created under Sonja’s and my direction and that are usually only heard and seen once. A certain amount of tension builds up, which only dissipates completely on Sunday evening after the last note has been played. <\/p>\n We are looking forward to the sixth edition of the still young festival, which has also had to cope with the uncertain coronavirus years. How is the festival doing today? <\/strong><\/p>\n Fortunately, it went very well and our plan worked out. Despite the proximity to Zurich and the wide range of events on offer, the local population is very interested and people are happy to be treated to a high-quality cultural program right on their doorstep, a little off the beaten track. Right from the start, we had the support of the K\u00fcsnacht municipality, which of course knows us very well: Sonja and I grew up here, we won the Culture Prize together at a young age and have always been supported and accompanied by the municipality on our artistic path. Our idea of founding a festival in K\u00fcsnacht was immediately welcomed and the backing and financial support from other sponsors made it possible for our idea to become reality. <\/p>\n It was also good for us that we were able to hold the festival during the Corona period despite higher personnel costs and expenses, a change of concert venue from the Seehof to the larger parish center and less planning security overall. The audience was delighted to be able to enjoy concerts again and experience live music despite the mask and social distancing. <\/p>\n What was almost more important for us, however, was that outstanding musicians became aware of our festival and greatly appreciated the courage to make concerts possible despite the restrictions. As a result, even more talented artists have put the attractive classical music festival on their radar. Today, we consistently host renowned and internationally known artists who appreciate and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at our festival. For me personally, it is also a particular pleasure and makes me proud that we have already received our first request for one of our programs, and that from a festival as renowned as Murten Classics. The classical music festival is therefore well on its way and has an all-round positive momentum – for us as organizers and obviously also for our guests and artists. <\/p>\n The K\u00fcsnacht Classical Music Festival aims to entertain classical music lovers at a high level and at the same time inspire newcomers to the genre. Does it succeed in satisfying these different expectations? And if so, what is the secret magic ingredient? <\/strong><\/p>\n A look at the first five years says: yes, it’s working. Of course, it is a tightrope walk, because in order to achieve this goal, familiar formats have to be broken. This can be achieved with unusual locations, an unconventional program and an unusual approachability. We have just enough of everything so that even the core audience for classical music, which is very familiar with the names in our program, is happy to come. On the opening evening, for example, we are breaking with the classical format by having Kurt Aeschbacher host the evening, with music ranging from classical to film music and jazz, and the concert length of a good hour is also suitable for beginners. With Walter Andreas M\u00fcller at one of the children’s concerts, we have another presenter who is well known to the general public, who lightens everything up and thus acts as a door opener for classical music. After each concert, the musicians mingle with the audience and another important factor in reaching new target groups is, of course, our affordable prices. For example, a full-paying ticket costs less than fifty francs and students pay just 22 francs. <\/p>\n The same applies to children and young people; we have also discovered various offers in the program for this atypical target group. What’s it all about? <\/strong><\/p>\n Because this target group usually has little contact with “classical” music without classical music-loving parents, we also want to make it easy for them to get involved. And we want to make it as accessible as possible with the painting workshops for 7 to 10-year-olds, the two short, varied and even more affordable children’s and family concerts on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes and, of course, the “Next Generation” format, which is made possible by Ginesta as presenting partner. This year we have the wonderful William Youn, who has won several international competitions and is one of the most promising young pianists in the world, as our guest. In the afternoon, he will dedicate himself to four talents from our region between the ages of 6 and 14 who have been selected by a jury. They will play with him as part of a master class open to the public, which is always a wonderful and free event in the concert hall of the Seehof K\u00fcsnacht. The four participants then sit in the front row during his concert, which Claude Ginesta will once again co-host with me this year. <\/p>\n Speaking of sponsorship: How did this collaboration with Ginesta come about?<\/strong><\/p>\n The simple fact is that a festival like ours needs support. Nevertheless, it was important to us that all partners fit in with us. Ginesta Immobilien was on my wish list right from the start, as my office is just a few meters from your headquarters. The stylish furnishings, the upbeat staff, the beautiful properties on display, the high reputation in the region – all of this was convincing. I did some research on the internet and found out that the company has been based here for decades and, like our association, is family-run. Two important values for us, regionality and family. At some point, I plucked up all my courage as I walked past, went to the reception desk and the rest is history. <\/p>\n Dear Astrid, we are at least as pleased as you are that you took this step back then. Not only that we can support a good cause that is important for K\u00fcsnacht. But also that you provide us with first-class classical entertainment once a year. So of course we would like to know: What’s next for the K\u00fcsnacht Classical Music Festival? <\/strong><\/p>\n We spent a long time thinking about the name of the festival and consciously and clearly decided on two commitments: one to classical music and one to K\u00fcsnacht. We will continue to do justice to this in the future, even if the signs point to growth. This means that we will not suddenly go to Zurich or organize jazz concerts. We’re sticking to what we do best: improving the quality of the program with programs specially designed for the festival, investing in our contacts with renowned musicians, constantly looking at larger potential venues and, if necessary, expanding the program with more concerts. Who knows, maybe one day we will even find a venue that we can use as a concert hall. A special venue that also breaks the mold and is spectacular in itself. Because that is one of the few things that is missing here in K\u00fcsnacht: an extraordinary venue with that certain something extra. <\/p>\n Thank you Astrid for the pleasant conversation. And who knows, perhaps we will come across a location like this in our real estate activities that could be suitable for your purposes. <\/strong><\/p>\n That’s exactly why I said that (laughs). Thank you too for the lovely conversation and, of course, for your valuable support over the years. See you soon at the Klassikfestival K\u00fcsnacht. <\/p>\n