A few years ago, a commercial for mineral water was shown on television. It was accompanied by the music from the first movement of Mendelssohn's „Italian Symphony". Anyone who experienced this music live on Saturday evening in the almost full concert hall in Andermatt at the Swiss Alps Classics can easily understand this choice. From the very first bar, the young conductor EMMANUEL TJEKNAVORIAN brings out all the effervescent freshness, the lively lightness and the propulsive character of this music. Visually a delight - dancing in movement, precise in deployment, demanding in interpretation - he brings out the hidden treasures of the score.

Dolce Vita in perfection

The LUCERNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA follows these instructions like a game of ping-pong. Highly precise, colorful and strong in the individual parts - not much is missing and the solo flutist would have received a standing ovation in the middle of the performance. It is an „Italian Symphony" from a single source. A lively dance that portrays the full emotions of our southern neighbors. A rich picture between chamber music and large-scale symphonic music, joie de vivre and intimacy. There is no better way to conduct and play this symphony. Only differently.

For EMMANUEL TJEKNAVORIAN, it is not just a concert: „Andermatt is a very special place for me. The Swiss Alps Classics invited me as a young violinist right at the beginning seven years ago. I feel very connected to the festival. For me, it's like coming home."

When „passion" and „cello" are synonyms

And that was only the second part of the evening. Even before the interval, the young cellist ANASTASIA KOBEKINA brings the hall to the boil. Together with violinist ELDBJØRG HEMSING, Friday's soloist, she played a frenzied „Passacaglia for violin and cello" by Johan Halvorsen. Only to then deliver her masterpiece. A „Rococo Variation" by Pyotr Tchaikovsky that sweeps the audience off their seats. With excitement, singing and an overflowing emotionality, she carves out the cliffs and fields of music. It is a moment of pure passion. A passion that ANASTASIA KOBEKINA takes to the extreme in the encore „Fandango" on a piece by Luigi Boccherini. With playful vigor, at times almost jazzy improvisation, she pushes the extremes of the cello to the limit. It is a wild dance on the volcano. Without ever plunging into the depths. Magnificent.

The Chedi – the guarantee for top performances

A musical summit that continues seamlessly with the subsequent Gala Dinner at THE CHEDI hotel, which can be booked as an option. The team led by top chef Philipp Schmidt is also at the top of its game. No wonder the chef is currently busy with the final preparations for the „Chef of the Year" competition. Artist ANASTASIA KOBEKINA is also very impressed by The Chedi. „I've never been to such a beautiful hotel," she gushes. „I walked into my room and just thought: Wow. All these materials, this harmony. Simply fantastic. The conductor EMMANUEL TJEKNAVORIAN also raves: „I always enjoy staying here now. But I remember exactly how I walked through the hotel with my mouth open the first time." And so another fascinating festival comes to an end. Over the last glass of wine, while the dessert miracle melts in your mouth. Once again framed by music, enveloped by the seductive bar piano of 20-year-old TOBIAS HILDEBRAND.