“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” ― William Shakespeare, Sonnet XCVIII
One month is the same as any other, right? I thought so until GAIA began. After 15 months of May since 2009, I still experience the month of April as an overture to May. A very excited, nearly nervous, anticipatory overture. As unpredictable as the weather in April, so the sense that something amazing is around the corner, but that the road might be bumpy in places. All the energy and commitment to music, artists and our audience that I carry with me during the year comes to a head as I tightrope-walk my way through the last-minute measures that befall any music event – from looking for scores for a musician who has mislaid it, to explaining to the lighting technician why the light in that corner throws a shadow on the music (not good, in case you were wondering). Being part of just about everything at GAIA is a choice. Over the years I’ve gone from doing everything, to doing as little as possible; from doing only “artistic” things, to being involved again as I am now. If you want to drive things forward, be the engine…
I am very excited that in just some weeks, GAIA will be brought to you again by a bright roster of artists and a dedicated, wonderful team who I feel privileged to work alongside throughout the year.
My sincere thanks to Colette Kappes-Boutillon, Skye Lörwald, the committee and GAIA’s volunteers.
Garth Knox, Composer in Residence @GAIA
Parents should not have favourites. However, in response to “which concert should I go to at GAIA?” there are three I particularly look forward to.
“Of Love and other Drunkenness” on 3 May in the Town Church of Thun, an evening of fun, festivities and one glass too many.
“Adorned with Foreign Plumes” on 6 May in Bern’s Yehudi Menuhin Forum, a mosaic of folk influences from gospel and Klezmer, from America to Ireland, and Switzerland to Hungary.
“The Godfather” on 7 May in Hilterfingen Church, our closing concert with some of the most moving, iconic melodies of the romantic period.
Táin - Irish Folk Band performing at Gwendolyn's Bridge Club
Here are some images from our two most recent gatherings for Gwendolyn’s Bridge Club.
Listen to this month’s mix-tape for pieces that will be performed at GAIA 2023 or serve as inspiration for this year’s programme.
Dialogo, György Ligeti | From GAIA Music Festival 2011, performed by Gavriel Lipkind
Moresh-Khorye No. 1 (Jewish Blues)| Yale Strom · Hot Pstromi
Shalosh T'nuos | Raza
Cooley's Reel / Drowsy Maggie | Shamrock
Passacaille |Garth Knox and Ensemble Kimya
Sometimes it Snows in April | Prince
I Got Plenty O'Nuttin' (from Porgy and Bess) | Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald
Café 1930 (from Histoire du Tango) by Astor Piazzolla | Gidon Kremer and Per Arne Glorvigen
In One Spot, Romanian Folk Dances, Béla Bartók | Gwendolyn Masin and the ORIGIN Ensemble
Dance from Buchum, Romanian Folk Dances, Béla Bartók | Gwendolyn Masin and the ORIGIN Ensemble