Sarah Batschlelet, long based in Switzerland, took a degree in Art History from Smith College, Northampton, Massachuetts, and lives as a freelance writer and editor near Zurich.
The first of four Rachmaninov anniversary concerts shared by Zurich’s two fine orchestras is an audio feast, climaxing with the choral symphony, The Bells.
The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich plays Schoenberg's orchestration of Brahms' G minor Piano Quartet, while Antoine Tamestit joins the orchestra as wandering soloist in Berlioz' Harold in Italy.
Under Markus Stenz, the Philharmonia Zürich orchestra give stunning performances of works by Strauss, Bartók, and Mahler in the city’s historic opera house.
In the city’s sonorous Tonhalle, and under Parvo Järvi’s dynamic baton, works by Arvo Pärt, Ludwig von Beethoven, and Anton Bruckner make for a multi-coloured programme.
The season’s opening concert at Zurich’s historic Tonhalle features the world premiere of a commissioned work by Toshio Hosokawa, this season’s Focus Artist, and a symphony by Anton Bruckner.
Zurich's Tonhalle Orchestra and Paavo Järvi celebrate music by American composers Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin, along with a work by Paul Hindemith.