Two important artists who were associated with us for a long time died last weekend.
We presented the work of the Ungarian composer and conductor Péter Eötvös in various formats here in Zurich in the 2016/17 season. He was our Creative Chair at the time, and his "Oratorium balbulum" - a stuttering oratorio - was received just as enthusiastically as the percussion concerto "Speaking Drums", which was premiered with soloist Martin Grubinger. "Eötvös was one of the leading composers of contemporary music, and we are grateful that we were able and committed pedagogue who was known for his diverse approaches to each of his works, he was an excellent choice as Creative Chair."
The Milanese pianist Maurizio Pollini gave his first concert with us on 11 June 1976 - and his last on 30 October 2023. It was his very last performance ever; he had chosen works by Chopin, Schönberg and Luigi Nono, composers who have always had a special significance for him. "We witnessed a special concert in which we experienced a legend. It seems that the audience shared this feeling with their standing ovation. We are grateful for this experience," says Ilona Schmiel.
Pollini was one of the most charismatic artistic personalities of all, captivating audiences internationally with his famous interpretative style. He was never a mere virtuoso, but a meticulous researcher of technical details and a clever music mediator. He always placed a strong focus on contemporary music.
Translated with DeepL.com
