In 1974, when György Sebök decided to found a music festival in a mountain village in the Goms, his vision was of an oasis of culture and music. Far removed from glamour and stardom, where stress is but a remote memory, he imagined a place of tranquillity, where performers would meet and make music together. While the scope of the festival has expanded over the years, Ernen continues to embody Sebök’s vision to this day, and remains a microcosm of charm, authenticity and the simple life. What will Ernen be for you? Sublime music performed by extraordinary musicians, hiking in the spectacular mountains, taking a literature course or a writing workshop, world-class Swiss cuisine coupled with a glass of regional Valais wine. Join us and find out!
Next stop: Musikdorf Ernen!
To be on a journey suggests inspiration and education. While undertaking travels through Europe, and especially in Switzerland, numerous (important) authors, artists and musicians have both collected impressions and memories, and also found ideas for new works. Mendelssohn, for example, painted in Wengen, Brahms composed in Thun, and both Rachmaninoff and Wagner spent time at the Vierwaldstättersee.
Few people realise that Ernen also features on the map of favoured travel destinations of great artists; long before the Musikdorf festival was even thought of, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe spent time in Ernen in 1779. Likewise, Franz Liszt took inspiration from the natural surrounds of Ernen for his piano work «Années de pèlerinage».
The 44th concert season of the Festival Musikdorf Ernen is thus devoted to the theme of traveling and will feature works that came to life by way of the journeys of their creators.
Allow yourself to be inspired by travel and choose Ernen - as Goethe and Liszt did – as your destination. Next Stop: Musikdorf! We look forward to welcoming you.