Meiringen Music Festival Week

“moving” July 3rd - 11th, 2026

Welcome to the Meiringen Music Festival, which, under the motto "moving," invites you to experience music in all its nuances of movement – ​​as inner emotion, as physical energy, as sonic transformation. Movement as the heartbeat of music – and music as the mover of the soul.

Right at the start, the Brienz Violin Making School Foundation honors a Swiss violinist with the Golden Bow, a musician whose magnificent playing touches us deeply: Alexandre Dubach. With profound sonic sensuality, rare virtuosity, and moving emotionality, he has captivated audiences for decades. The festive opening also features the expressive power of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" – a sonic journey that makes movement tangible as a shift in perspective.

And once again, the Bern Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Philippe Bach, is our guest, premiering, among other works, Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen's Cello Concerto "Forandringer" (Changes).

Two special events will take us to special locations: the Meiringen climbing hall and the Meiringen cinema. First, "Mountains in Motion": the title hints at the connections between music and mountaineering. We'll explore these connections first in a climbing performance with live music at the climbing hall, and then at the cinema with an excerpt from the film "In Struggle with the Mountain" (1921), with music by Paul Hindemith. The subsequent panel discussion will provide an opportunity for further exchange.

Next, we'll experience actor Herwig Ursin together with Mischa Käser and his ensemble in his hauntingly humorous music theater production of Kafka's "Eleven Sons."

I can already promise you that this journey will be filled with many moving musical moments – the titles give you a good indication! And with the magical glass harmonica and rare works featured in Friday's program, connoisseurs of exquisite rarities will also find something to enjoy. "Let's Dance" is the theme of the grand finale, culminating in a celebration of rhythmic vitality.

Young talents will be featured on the Youth Podium, where they will perform pieces including the Boléro – enthusiastically, virtuously, and with fresh energy.

We are also looking forward to the Children's Sound Workshop, which will be rehearsing "With and Without Wheels" for a week, culminating in a lively finale.

Finally, I highly recommend a visit to the Swiss School of Violin Making in Brienz. There you will find the paintings of Rudolf Urech-Seon, which complement this year's theme. The permanent exhibition "Of Fiddles and Master Violins" is also open.