A mountain village celebrates musical art
Every year, the village of Ernen celebrates a festival dedicated to the love of music in a fantastic natural setting. The pianist György Sebök laid the foundation for the music village of Ernen in 1974 with master classes in piano and chamber music. Today, the village of 550 in the Goms region of Upper Valais is famous for its music weeks well beyond the country’s borders.
The unique atmosphere and acoustics in the old village church and the historical “Tellenhaus” provide the perfect backdrop for top-class concerts by international virtuosos during the piano week and the baroque and chamber music weeks. Experts hold seminars to help the audience to better understand the compositions played. The musicians are given their opportunity to hone their skills during the master classes. It’s not just the quality of the musical programme that draws the public to the picturesque village from near and far year after year. A writing seminar with big names like the author Donna Leon and various supporting literary events round out the festival programme. Musicians and audience alike appreciate the warm welcome they receive in the village.
The “music village Ernen” is a cooperative effort supported by many passionate people and the sponsoring association. With its long-standing commitment to magnificent concert series, the music village has made a significant contribution to Switzerland’s musical culture over all those years.