Gstaad, Verbier, Rheingau, Spoleto…classical music likes to “move” to the countryside or the mountains in summertime. St. Christoph am Arlberg will soon also likely be added to this roster of highly regarded names.
St. Christoph am Arlberg is well-known to hikers and winter sport enthusiasts. Since October 2015, it also boasts an attraction for lovers of culture: the Art and Concert Hall Arlberg1800. The number is indicative of its location: of all the concert halls in Europe, Arlberg1800 is located at the highest altitude.
This past August, the LGT Young Soloists was the Orchestra in residence there. The ensemble spent one week in the beautiful health resort in the Tirol. The invitation provided the ensemble with a welcome opportunity to work together in a relaxing atmosphere, practice new pieces and spend time together. They often lack this kind of time due to their hectic everyday lives that include school, music lessons and concerts. And the few joint rehearsals that can be organized for the ensemble members, who are scattered around Europe, must be utilized intensively. The project week in the fresh mountain air gave them a rare opportunity to have more time for personal interaction.
In exchange for the hospitality, the LGT Young Soloists played a beautiful, varied concert on 20 August 2016, with Gerald Karni, Elena Kawazu, Danielle Akta, Leo Esselson, David Nebel and Dusan Kostic performing as soloists. For Anna Krzyzak of Poland on the viola, and Vilem Vlček of the Czech Republic on cello, it was their debut in the ensemble. Both made an excellent impression at their auditions at the beginning of July in Zurich. This impression was confirmed during the project week and at the concert, and they were unanimously accepted by the existing members.
