20 December 2003
Dear Friends,
As the year draws to a close, it's time both to reflect on the past year's activities and to look ahead to the programme for 2004. The year has been stimulating, as well as artistically and socially rewarding, with a series of memorable events in Switzerland and the UK, always remaining faithful to our policy of presenting outstanding young international artists in settings of unusual interest.
The high standards of performance and the convivial spirit of our members and invited guests combined to make each event a truly noteworthy occasion for all those taking part.
In the last newsletter I reviewed our many activities up to the autumn. Since then, three events have occupied our attention and helped to bring the 2003 programme to a bravura finale. We launched the UK section of our friends at Sotheby's in London with a concert and reception against the colourful background of a sale of Italian contemporary artworks and were extremely gratified by the large number of friends who travelled specially from Switzerland to join our new UK members and guests. The concert, given by Håkan Vramsmo, baritone, Sally Price, harp, Shari Muller-Ho, flute and alto flute and Kimberly Weirich, flute, drew enthusiastic critical plaudits and we are sure the participating young artists will continue to make waves as their professional careers progress. A special additional treat was the commented private viewing of the exhibition by Lord Mark Poltimore, of Sotheby's, a most valued member of our advisory board, while conversation sparkled as merrily as the champagne, kindly donated by Anton Mosimann, at the reception. A night to remember in every sense.
The Foundation was one of a group of sponsors of the spectacular «Nuit des Etoiles» dance gala, organised by the distinguished Prix de Lausanne in the BFM, Geneva, in November and, in conjunction with the Victor Salvi Foundation, provided the music performed by the talented young Swiss harpist Isabelle Steinbrüchel at the interval reception. We were delighted to support the Prix de Lausanne in this initiative, an important move to "spread the dance message" even wider.
Then last week, following the success of the soirée last December, we made a second visit to the Villa Principe Leopoldo in Lugano. Again a gratifying number of our friends from other parts of Switzerland, as well as from London, Paris and Milan, joined local members and invited guests for the concert and reception in the beautiful princely setting on the Golden Hill. The concert, an exceptionally varied one, featured Swiss pianist Antoine Rebstein, performing only works from the repertoire for the left hand, Austrian baritone Thomas Weinhappel, accompanied by the Australian pianist Stephen Delaney, and harpist Isabelle Steinbrüchel. All in all a marvellous way to round off a marvellous year.
Looking ahead to 2004, an exciting programme of events is already in the advanced planning stage. We start in a winter wonderland in the magical surroundings of the Swiss Alps, with a planned concert in February at Le Grand Chalet in Rossinière, the extraordinary home of the legendary painter Balthus and now the headquarters of the Balthus Foundation, with a permanent exhibition of his works and studio. We are most grateful to the Countess Setsuko Klossowska de Rola and the foundation for allowing us to stage an event in the chalet.
We make our first transatlantic sortie to New York and Chicago for concerts in April, and in May the Olympic Museum, Lausanne, will be the setting for a concert featuring outstanding young musicians from the Swiss Jazz Academy in Berne. In June, we will stage a concert in London and in September, the lovely Château de Montcaud, in the south of France, will welcome a concert and our first masterclasses.
Geneva and Basel will be the locations for two concerts in October. A second UK event takes place in November and we will be back in Lugano in December. Final confirmed dates and locations will be communicated to you in due course.
In conclusion, I should report a gratifying membership renewal among our Friends, and the welcome arrival of many new members, ready to share the very special ambience that seems to prevail at all our events.
Many of you have also made generous donations to the Foundation and deserve special thanks. As do our supporters, including the Victor Salvi Foundation, Sotheby's, the Vaudois Wine Office, the administrators of Lucens Castle, the Foundation and museum l'Hermitage in Lausanne and the management of the Villa Principe Leopoldo.
We are also delighted to welcome Peter Berger, president of the Balthus Foundation and of Bejart Ballet Lausanne, as a member of our Advisory Board.
May I take this opportunity of wishing you and your families every success and happiness during the holiday season, and throughout the coming year. We very much look forward to seeing you again then, when harmony will certainly once more prevail.
Sincerely,
Heather de Haes
Director