Welcome!
Here you will find up-to-date information about our concerts, who we are, and what we do. There is plenty of parking available around the concert hall in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The hall also offers a wide selection of food and wine at the Union restaurant. Additionally, you can stay affordably at the 4-star Art Deco Hotel Athmos, just a 3-minute walk from the hall. Another 3-minute walk takes you to the SBB La Chaux-de-Fonds train station. BLS offers a direct train to Bern (1 hour). You can also take a bus or postal bus (available at the station) for a comfortable and eco-friendly ride to Neuchâtel. From Neuchâtel, you can access various trains to Lausanne, Geneva, Fribourg, Zurich, Basel, and St. Gallen.
What to expect
After the bassoon, it’s now the accordion’s turn—a first for La Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds and perhaps a discovery for our esteemed audience. This is precisely the mission of the RTS New Talents series: to showcase tomorrow’s stars while also introducing lesser-known instruments and repertoires.
But what exactly is the accordion? An infinite source of timbres and colors, it gives the impression of a veritable forest of instruments, a symphony orchestra contained in a 15-kilogram box. Come and listen to the incredible young accordionist Julien Beautemps on Sunday, December 8. Tickets (all first-category seats!) start at just 10 francs in the marvelous and exceptional acoustics of La Salle de Musique in La Chaux-de-Fonds. You truly have no excuse not to attend!
To end the year on a high note, we invite you to a classical chamber music concert featuring major works from the grand repertoire. This exclusive Swiss performance on December 15 will feature Géza Anda Prize laureate Claire Huangci and the Brahms Ensemble of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, a five-star cast of musicians. Subscribers will also have the opportunity to spend a brief moment in their company.
Programs for your next two concerts at La Salle de Musique:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024, 5 PM – Non-subscription concert
Julien Beautemps, accordion
« A UFO with truly exceptional maturity. » – Max Dozolme, France Musique
« A serial transcriber who cannot be stopped. » – Rémy Louis, Diapason
« Julien Beautemps has already made a name for himself, thanks to over a dozen international prizes and his tireless activity as a chamber musician and arranger. » – Benoît Fauchet, Diapason
« I told you: this guy is a genius! » – Clément Rochefort, France Musique
- JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 - ERWIN SCHULHOFF (1894-1942)
Symphony No. 2, arr. J. Beautemps - JULIEN BEAUTEMPS (2000)
Homage to a Pious Man - PATRICK BUSSEUIL (1956)
Swizzle Sticks: Four Toccatas for Accordion - WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791)
Requiem (excerpts), arr. J. Beautemps
Julien Beautemps, born in 2000 in Grenoble, is celebrated for his « musical intelligence » and was awarded the Prix Jeune Soliste by Médias Francophones Publics in 2023. Supported by the Fondation l’Or du Rhin and Banque Populaire, he graduated from the Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP) in interpretation and chamber music and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma and Soloist Master’s degree at HEMU in Lausanne. Julien has won numerous prizes in international competitions, including the Second Grand Prix Musical de Laurédia 2023 and First Prize at the PIF Castelfidardo International Competition in 2021. He collaborates with renowned artists such as Gautier Capuçon and Eléonore Pancrazi and frequently appears on France Musique. In 2022, he released his debut solo album, Mechanics, on the Nügo label and continues to innovate as an arranger, reinterpreting classical works for ensembles such as Duo Argos and Ensemble Méliphages. Julien is also a composer, with works including Mechanics and his Sonata for the Resurrection.
The accordion appears in many diverse forms across numerous cultures, but it is less commonly heard in classical concerts. However, today’s soloist proves that this instrument has its rightful place in the prestigious Salle de Musique. He will present arrangements as well as original compositions.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2024, 5 PM – Subscription concert
Claire Huangci, piano (Géza Anda Prize)
Brahms Ensemble Berlin
(Members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)
- Rachel Schmidt, violin
- Raimar Orlovsky, violin
- Julia Gartemann, viola
- Christoph Igelbrink, cello
- JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34 - FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
String Quartet No. 12 in C minor, « Quartettsatz, » D. 703 - ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44
Pre-concert introduction by François Lilienfeld at 4:15 PM.
« If one looks for the hallmarks of Huangci’s piano playing, they are found in her superior focus, imaginative abilities, and the resulting poetry of her interpretation. » – Thomas Schacher, NZZ Neue Zürcher Zeitung
An Exceptional End to 2024
The year closes with a laureate of the prestigious Géza Anda International Prize. This renowned Swiss competition aims to discover and support talented young pianists from around the globe. Held every three years in Zurich, it is known for its rigor and the quality of its laureates, offering them a platform to launch their international careers.
American pianist Claire Huangci, who also won Second Prize at the prestigious ARD Competition, joins the Brahms Ensemble Berlin, composed of distinguished members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and renowned educators, for an exceptional concert. Masterpieces from the German repertoire will showcase the excellence of this traditional ensemble, performing alongside the young American pianist for the first time. This concert is a Swiss exclusive.
The Quartettsatz was likely intended as the opening movement of a string quartet that, like many of Schubert’s works, remained unfinished. The combination of a string quartet and piano was highly favored by 19th-century composers. The pieces by Schumann and Brahms on the program represent the pinnacle of this genre, delighting with their melodic richness and the delicate balance between the strings and the piano.
The goal of the Nouveaux Talents series is to provide an exceptional springboard for the best of these young artists. This will be the case on November 24 with the young Swiss bassoonist Donatien Bachmann, who brings us a colorful program ranging from C.P.E. Bach to tango, accompanied by five other young musicians. This concert will be broadcast live on RTS radio and recorded for release on the Swiss classical label, Claves. Sharing knowledge and training young musicians is also a core mission of Il Pomo d’Oro, an Italian ensemble with a residency in Zurich, internationally acclaimed for its historically informed performances. November 27 will be a grand night, marking not only the first performance of this ensemble in La Chaux-de-Fonds but also our debut with the renowned opera and TV soprano Julie Fuchs. Between engagements at the Paris Opera, Amsterdam, and Milan, the French soprano will honor us with a visit. La Chaux-de-Fonds will be her only Swiss and European stop for this program dedicated to love, featuring arias and instrumental pieces by Vivaldi and Handel under the baton of the dynamic young conductor Max Volbers.
Don Bachmann & Co – Bassoon Sextet on Sunday, November 24 at 5:00 PM
The talented bassoonist Donatien Bachmann began his musical studies at age 8 at CPMDT under the tutelage of Antoinette Baehler, continuing his training at the Geneva University of Music with Afonso Venturieri, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2018. He later refined his art at the Hochschule für Musik Basel with Sergio Azzolini, specializing in baroque bassoon and earning his Master’s degree in 2020. Active in both solo and chamber music, Donatien has collaborated with renowned artists such as Janine Jansen and Gilles Apap and performed under distinguished conductors like Daniel Harding. A founding member of the Basilea Wind Quintet, he has also won multiple awards in national and international competitions. In parallel, he began a conducting career in 2023, leading various ensembles in Switzerland. Passionate and versatile, Donatien is supported by several prestigious foundations and views music as a universal, healing force. For this concert, Donatien Bachmann will be accompanied by six distinguished colleagues, award winners trained at leading schools in Switzerland and abroad. The bassoon takes center stage in this program, which spans a range of styles and eras. The performance opens with a composition by Chick Corea, reflecting jazz’s Latin influences, followed by the world premiere of a bassoon concerto by Daniel Schnyder, pushing the boundaries of the bassoon repertoire. Arrangements of Astor Piazzolla’s tangos offer an original interpretation of these classics, while C.P.E. Bach’s Sonata in A minor (originally for flute), along with works by Dubois and Galliano, complete the program, blending Argentine tango with classical tradition.
Program for November 24, 5:00 PM at the Salle de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds:
DONATIEN BACHMANN bassoon
JAMILA GARAYUSIFLI violin
DAVID CASTRO-BALBI violin
EDMUND RIDDLE viola
MILENA UMIGLIA cello
LARS SCHAPER double bass
AUGUSTIN LIPP percussion
- CHICK COREA (1941-2021) – Armando’s Rhumba
- DANIEL SCHNYDER (1961*) – Concerto for bassoon, string quintet, and percussion (world premiere)
- ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) – Oblivion for bassoon and strings, arr. D. Bachmann
- CARL PHILIPP EMANUEL BACH (1714-1788) – Sonata in A minor for flute, arranged for bassoon
- ASTOR PIAZZOLLA – Suite from Maria de Buenos Aires, arr. D. Bachmann
- PIERRE-MAX DUBOIS (1930-1995) – Sonatine-Tango for bassoon and strings, arr. D. Bachmann
- RICHARD GALLIANO (1950*) – Tango pour Claude for bassoon and strings, arr. D. Bachmann
Julie Fuchs with Il Pomo d’Oro and Max Volbers – Only Swiss Date!
Solidarity and knowledge sharing are also part of the vocabulary of the ensemble we welcome for this concert. Founded in 2012, Il Pomo d’Oro is celebrated for its historically informed interpretation and has gained international renown, collaborating with artists such as Joyce DiDonato. It supports humanitarian initiatives (El Sistema Greece) and provides free music lessons through its academy. Julie Fuchs, the acclaimed star soprano (also a star on TV, seen as a judge on Prodiges on France 2), is renowned for her dedication to the future of opera, her ability to captivate audiences worldwide with her expressive voice, stage presence, and experience. Il Pomo d’Oro and Julie Fuchs, under the direction of young, energetic conductor Max Volbers, will present a program highlighting opera arias and instrumental pieces by two baroque giants, Vivaldi and Handel. La Fenice comes to La Chaux-de-Fonds.
This concert will be recorded by our partner, RTS Espace 2.
Spotlight on Julie Fuchs:
French soprano Julie Fuchs, known for her stage presence and lush tone, is one of the most prominent singers of her generation. Awarded three Victoires de la Musique Classique, she was named Artist of the Year in 2021 and a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. In 2024-2025, she will perform as Marie in The Daughter of the Regiment at the Paris Opera and Susanna at the Bayerische Staatsoper, with roles in baroque operas at La Scala and the Gran Teatre del Liceu. An exclusive Sony Classical artist, her album Amadè was released in 2022, preceded by two albums with Deutsche Grammophon. As the patron of the Paris Opera Competition, she actively supports the next generation of lyrical talent and is a social media pioneer, sharing her journey with her followers under @juliefuchssop.
Who is Max Volbers?
Max Volbers, recorder player, harpsichordist, and ensemble director, is a versatile talent in early music. Inspired by practices from the 17th and 18th centuries, he explores early and contemporary music through collaborations with various composers. A graduate of the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, he performs at prestigious festivals and plays with both historic and modern ensembles. His debut CD, Whispers of Tradition, earned him the OPUS KLASSIK 2023.
Program for November 27, 7:30 PM at the Salle de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds:
Sacred and Profane Love
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) • Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759)
Part 1: Profane Love
- HANDEL (1685-1759) Da tempeste – GIULIO CESARE
- VIVALDI (1678-1741) Amato ben tu sei la mia speranza (Rosane) – LA VERITÀ IN CIMENTO
- HANDEL Spera e godi (Partenope) – PARTENOPE (London, 1730)
- VIVALDI Concerto for flute in D minor, RV 441
- HANDEL Credete al mio dolore (Morgana) – ALCINA (London 1735)
- VIVALDI Scocca dardi (Ottone) – GRISELDA (Venice, 1735)
Part 2: Sacred Love
- HANDEL Donna che in ciel (HWV 233) excerpts and aria « Tu sei la bella Serena Stella »
- HANDEL Trio Sonata Op. 2 No. 5 in G minor
- VIVALDI In furore iustissimae irae (RV 626)
The 132nd season of La Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds kicked off with a bang, featuring two magnificent concerts. We hold a fond memory of violinist Anna Agafia’s performance, who inaugurated the RTS New Talents concert series last Sunday. We continue with a unique event celebrating youth and the transmission of knowledge on Saturday, November 2nd, in collaboration with our partner, the Neuchâtel Music Conservatory (CMNE), which will dedicate an entire day to nurturing musical talent. Don’t miss this opportunity to support young artists! We also invite you to come and enjoy another ensemble showcasing young prodigies: the Menuhin Academy Soloists on Friday, November 8, 2024. An extraordinary evening awaits under the direction of Oleg Kaskiv, a disciple of Alberto Lysy, who was himself a disciple of Yehudi Menuhin (a friend of La Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds, see Master Menuhin’s letter from 1967 below), accompanied by pianist Anastasia Voltchok.
You will find more information about these concerts below. You will also have the opportunity to exchange a few words with Anastasia Voltchok and Oleg Kaskiv after their concert on November 8. This is an informal way to meet the artists in a friendly atmosphere.
Information
Our subscribers were informed by email and in person on October 20 and 21 about the opportunity to attend 20 minutes of rehearsals and to ask questions to the Menuhin Academy Soloists and Anastasia Voltchok on November 8 at 5:40 pm. The registration deadline is set for Monday, October 28. Please note that the group is almost full!
Do you enjoy the concerts by La Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds? Do you have any suggestions, questions, or thoughts to share with us? Write to us at .
Carte Blanche at the CMNE on Saturday, November 2 from 4 pm
La Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds is committed to offering a stage to young talents and performers from our region in various venues across the city, allowing them to present a diverse program. This programming, reimagined from 2024 onwards, aims to “broaden horizons” through collaborations with local and cantonal partners. We continue our excellent partnership with our esteemed partner, the Neuchâtel Music Conservatory (CMNE), to whom we are granting carte blanche. This concert, inaugurating the Collaborations series (formerly the Parallel Series), will take place at the Neuchâtel Music Conservatory, Salle Faller, Av Léopold Robert 34, La Chaux-de-Fonds, from 4 pm!
The Neuchâtel Music Conservatory spares no effort in supporting and promoting its highly motivated and committed students. In 2021, the CMNE was awarded the Pre-College Music CH label. This distinction recognizes the quality of education provided in pre-professional courses, the final years of studies before entering a University of Music for a Bachelor’s degree. It is awarded to institutions deserving recognition at the Swiss level, be they schools or music colleges with a public service mandate.
On Saturday, November 2, come and hear young talents and their teachers (including the director himself!):
This event will be held at Salle Faller of the CMNE (opposite the Salle de Musique building).
4 pm: Concert of Talents
Featuring the « talents » track, Primo C+ classes, Cursus+, and Pre-College students of the CMNE (program unveiled on site).
6 pm: LeChœur, conducted by Nicolas Farine
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Requiem, op. 9
8 pm: Solem Quartet
Denitsa Kazakova, violin
Olivier Piguet, violin
Céline Portat, viola
Pascal Desarzens, cello
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928)
String Quartet No. 2 « Intimate Letters »
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810 « Death and the Maiden »
This concert will be followed by a soup-and-wine reception 🙂
In collaboration with the CMNE
The Legacy of Yehudi Menuhin and a Journey through Mendelssohn’s Switzerland at the Salle de Musique on Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm!
Musical excellence among young artists is also a priority for the performers of this concert. By founding his Academy in Gstaad in 1977, Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) aimed to bring together young musicians from diverse cultures, offering them high-level musical training and opportunities to perform together on stage regularly. The Academy’s unique approach focuses on training violin, viola, and cello virtuosos who also learn to perform together and in public, in renowned venues in Switzerland and abroad, forming a well-known chamber orchestra: the Menuhin Academy Soloists.
Alberto Lysy (1935-2009), a disciple and friend of Lord Menuhin, led the Academy as a demanding teacher since its foundation and trained its current masters, Oleg Kaskiv (violin), winner of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition, Ivan Vukčević (viola), and Pablo de Naverán (cello), whom we will hear on Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm with Russian-Ukrainian pianist Anastasia Voltchok. Voltchok’s distinguished musical journey has been marked by early beginnings and international recognition, including the 1st Prize at the Cincinnati International Piano Competition in 2003. This concert will be recorded by our partner RTS Espace 2.
The Menuhin Academy Soloists (new name) will perform in La Chaux-de-Fonds under the direction of Oleg Kaskiv, with Anastasia Voltchok on piano.
Program for Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm:
The concert will take place at the Salle de Musique, Av Léopold Robert 27-29, La Chaux-de-Fonds.
The concert will include an intermission. The foyer and the restaurant L’Union will be open!
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Symphony No. 9 in C major « The Swiss »
Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Orchestra in D minor, MWV 04
The Société de Musique La Chaux-de-Fonds is delighted at the prospect of welcoming you on October 20 and 21, 2024, for the very first concert of the « Nouveaux Talents » series in collaboration with RTS.
For young talents to thrive on major stages, they need visibility and experiences that allow them to engage with the public and the media. The aim of the « Nouveaux Talents » series is to provide an exceptional platform for the best of them. In collaboration with the Société de Musique La Chaux-de-Fonds, RTS Espace 2 offers eight opportunities per year to discover those who will be the stars of tomorrow.
Further information about these concerts can be found below. You will have the chance to exchange a few words with Michael Barenboim during the break when he will be signing his CDs. This is an informal way to meet the artists in a friendly atmosphere.
Do you enjoy the concerts of the Société de Musique La Chaux-de-Fonds? Do you have suggestions, questions, or things you’d like to share with us? Write to us at .
Take advantage of it!
The « Nouveaux Talents » series offers concert tickets for young artists, winners of international competitions, at prices ranging from 10 to 30 CHF at the Salle de musique. The instruments and programs offered are rare and invite discovery. It’s an opportunity to support the stars of tomorrow in a legendary acoustic setting!
Anna Gafia Egholm on October 20 at 5 PM
Anna Agafia Egholm, a Danish violinist trained in Lausanne and Sion, is recognized for her captivating playing and exceptional mastery of the bow. A laureate of prestigious international competitions such as Singapore, Nielsen, Tibor Varga, and Gstaad (Thierry Scherz/Claves Prize), she has collaborated with renowned musicians like Renaud Capuçon and the Hagen Quartet. She will be accompanied by Sergei Redkin, a pianist from Krasnoyarsk, who has distinguished himself on the international scene by winning major prizes, including a bronze medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition, and regularly performs with renowned orchestras and festivals.
Program for October 20, 2024, 5 PM at the Salle de musique in La Chaux-de-Fonds:
- Maurice Ravel (1875-1937): Sonata No. 2 in G Major, M. 77
- Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924): Sonata No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 108
- Lili Boulanger (1893-1918): 3 Pieces for Violin and Piano
- César Franck (1822-1890): Sonata in A Major, HN 293
Ravel composed his Sonata in G Major over four years. He premiered it with Georges Enescu on the violin in Paris in 1927. Fauré was 72 years old when he composed his second sonata, which he dedicated to Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, one of his most enthusiastic admirers. In contrast to her sister Nadia, who lived for 97 years, Lili Boulanger had a tragically short career. Her lung problems frequently interrupted her work, and she died at the age of 24. César Franck’s Violin and Piano Sonata is one of the great works of French chamber music.
This concert will be without intermission and will last approximately 75 minutes. It will be broadcast on the radio.
Season opening concert and gala evening at the Salle de musique on October 21 at 7:30 PM – Swiss exclusive.
The concert will spotlight Michael Barenboim, an internationally renowned soloist and first concertmaster of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, composed of Israeli and Palestinian musicians, and a teacher at the Barenboim-Said Academy created by his father, the famous pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim. He will be accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jena, conducted by Simon Gaudenz. This German orchestra, founded in 1934, is renowned for the transmission of musical knowledge. Barenboim’s talent and virtuosity, combined with the orchestra’s commitment, promise a captivating performance, with works such as Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto, marked by its Hollywood influences, and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, composed during his exile in the United States. This concert, a Swiss exclusive, is a musical event not to be missed.
Program for October 21, 2024, 7:30 PM at the Salle de musique in La Chaux-de-Fonds:
- Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904): Overture « Carnival » Op. 92
- Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957): Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
- Béla Bartók (1881-1945): Concerto for Orchestra Sz. 116
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, son of the Viennese music critic Julius Korngold, was one of the most remarkable child prodigies of the 20th century. His opera Die tote Stadt was phenomenally successful. Forced into exile by the Nazi terror, he became one of the most important film composers in Hollywood. After the war, he returned to Europe and used themes from his film music in his Violin Concerto. Bartók was also living in exile in the USA when he composed his Concerto for Orchestra (1943-1945), a kind of symphony that offers many opportunities for solos by the members of the orchestra.
This concert will have an intermission. It will be rebroadcast on the radio.
Information
The Société de Musique of La Chaux-de-Fonds informs you of the next two concerts in the « Grande Série »: on November 8, 2024, the soloists of the Menuhin Academy, conducted by Oleg Kaskiv, accompanied by pianist Anastasia Voltchock, will be featured (Mendelssohn), followed by Il Pomo d’Oro and soprano Julie Fuchs under the direction of Francesco Corti on November 27, 2024. The artists of November 27 have chosen to modify their traditionally baroque program with grand opera arias and instrumental music by Handel and Vivaldi. You can find the revised program titled Amour Sacré – Amour Profane by clicking HERE. A grand evening is in store!
Find detailed programs and seating plans below by clicking on the links or on our website www.musiquecdf.ch.
The Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds reminds you that it is still possible to subscribe to the 132nd season and informs you that its general program and season spot are available!
Members and subscribers receive it automatically. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you would like to receive it as well. In the meantime, you can view it HERE. And as good news never comes alone, you can watch our season spot HERE.
The season will begin on October 20 at 5 pm for New Talents and on October 21 for the Grande Series with an orchestral concert on October 21 at 7:30 pm. A newsletter dedicated to these two concerts will be sent to you very soon.
Do you enjoy the concerts of the Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds? Do you have any suggestions, questions, or things to tell us? Write to us at
Don’t miss it!
The New Talents series offers concert tickets for young artists who are winners of international competitions from 10.- to 30.- at the Salle de musique. The instruments and programs offered are rare and invite discovery. The opportunity to support tomorrow’s stars in a legendary acoustic setting!
For the season presentation, please click here (in 3 languages).
Highlights of the season 2024-2025:
- Six orchestras including two philharmonic orchestras
- A piano recital with a rising star on the international scene
- Two young winners of major competitions
- A young violin star that the world is clamoring for
- Two stars of the operatic stage
- Chamber ensembles and orchestras of great tradition
- Renowned soloists and conductors of international stature
- An unprecedented trio with a violin star created for the Music Society
- The return of a legendary violinist to the Salle de musique
- The return of the OSR in full force with a masterful program
- A quartet of young stars
- An ensemble from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
- Piano, violin, cello and voice take center stage
- Youth, tradition and a great love for music
- Come experience exceptional concerts in a legendary acoustic setting
Experience exceptional concerts in a legendary acoustic setting!
These events confirm our commitment to offering high-quality musical experiences.
Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds – 131 years of history!
In 131 years of history, the Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds has invited many musicians from around the world, sometimes oppressed or even victims of the vicissitudes of history. The canton of Neuchâtel, the Neuchâtel Mountains, and the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds (birthplace of Le Corbusier, whose mother was a co-founder of our society) have been and remain welcoming lands for populations fleeing war, injustice, or famine. Our society has witnessed many torments that it has been able to overcome, notably through music.
Camille Saint-Saëns, Eugène Ysaÿe, Pablo Casals, Alfred Cortot, Paul Hindemith, Clara Haskil, Dinu Lipatti, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Arthur Rubinstein, Mstislav Rostropovich, Martha Argerich, Alfred Brendel, Menahem Pressler, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Barbara Hendricks, Maxim Vengerov, Vadim Repin, Grigory Sokolov, Fazil Say, Renaud & Gautier Capuçon, David Zinman, Truls Mørk, Christian Tetzlaff, Christophe Prégardien, Piotr Anderszewski, Giuliano Carmignola, Sol Gabetta, Emmanuel Pahud, Rafal Blechacz, Alexandre Tharaud, Khatia Buniatishvili, Alexandre Kantorow, Edgar Moreau, Julian Prégardien, and many other legendary figures of classical music from yesterday and today have come to our mountains at the invitation of the Société de Musique de La Chaux-de-Fonds.
The Société de Musique is one of the few societies of its kind still existing in Europe today. Through its existence, it has contributed to putting « La Chaux-de-Fonds on the world map » and highlighting the Salle de musique, its precious working tool, of which it has been the tenant for more than half a century. It has a rich historical past that gives it notoriety, and it perpetuates this tradition through its programming, making it an essential organization of the canton.
Main Series:
- Monday, October 21, 2024, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Michael Barenboim (violin), Jena Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Simon Gaudenz.
Program: Antonín Dvořák – Overture « Carnival » op. 92, Erich Wolfgang Korngold – Violin Concerto in D major op. 35, Béla Bartók – Concerto for Orchestra Sz. 116. - Friday, November 8, 2024, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Anastasia Voltchok (piano), Solistes de la Menuhin Academy, conductor Oleg Kaskiv (violin).
Program: Felix Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 9 « La Suisse », Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Orchestra in D minor MWV 04. - Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Julie Fuchs (soprano), Il Pomo d’Oro, conductor Francesco Corti.
Program: Excerpts from Vivaldi, Graun, Rinaldi, Giai, Leonardo, Manna, Galuppi, Araja, Zellbell. Replaced by « Amour profane, Amour sacré » – Vivaldi & Handel. - Sunday, December 15, 2024, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique:
Claire Huangci (piano, Géza Anda Prize), Brahms Ensemble Berlin.
Program: Johannes Brahms – Piano Quintet in F minor op. 34, Franz Schubert – String Quartet No. 12 « Quartettsatz », Robert Schumann – Piano Quintet in E-flat major op. 44. - Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Lucas Debargue (piano).
Program: Gabriel Fauré – 9 Preludes op. 103, Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor op. 90 and Sonata No. 14 « Moonlight Sonata », Frédéric Chopin – Scherzo No. 4 op. 54 and Ballade No. 3 op. 47. - Friday, February 7, 2025, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Regula Mühlemann (soprano), Basel Chamber Orchestra, conductor Michele Spotti.
Program: Excerpts from Rossini – Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Le Comte Ory, Il Turco in Italia, Bellini – Symphony in D, I Puritani, Delibes – Sylvie, Donizetti – La Fille du régiment, Lucia di Lammermoor, Verdi – Macbeth. - Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Vilde Frang (violin), Valeriy Sokolov (violin), Lawrence Power (viola).
Program: Eugène Ysaÿe – Sonata for Two Violins, Bjarne Brustad – Capriccio for Violin and Viola, Zoltán Kodály – Serenade for Two Violins and Viola op. 12. - Friday, March 14, 2025, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Gidon Kremer Trio, Gidon Kremer (violin), Giedre Dirvanauskaite (cello), Georgijs Osokins (piano).
Program: Franz Schubert – Notturno op. 148, Giya Kancheli – Middelheim, Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Trio No. 7 op. 97. - Friday, April 4, 2025, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Alexandre Tharaud (piano), Quatuor Arod.
Program: Felix Mendelssohn – String Quartet No. 3 op. 44, Béla Bartók – String Quartet No. 6 Sz. 114, Gabriel Fauré – Piano Quintet No. 1 in D minor op. 89. - Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Daniel Lozakovich (violin), Neuchâtel Symphonic Ensemble, conductor Victorien Vanoosten.
Program: Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 88, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 3 K. 216, Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 3 « Eroica ». - Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 7:30 PM, Salle de musique:
Michiaki Ueno (cello), Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, conductor Jonathan Nott.
Program: Dmitri Shostakovich – Cello Concerto No. 1, Igor Stravinsky – Petrushka (original version of 1911).
RTS New Talents Series 2024-2025
- Sunday, October 20, 2024, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique
Anna Egholm (violin), Sergei Redkin (piano).
Program: Maurice Ravel – Sonata No. 2 in G major, Gabriel Fauré – Sonata No. 2 in E minor op. 108, Lili Boulanger – 3 Pieces for Violin and Piano, César Franck – Sonata in A major. - Sunday, November 24, 2024, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique
Donatien Bachmann (bassoon), with violin, cello, percussion.
Program: Chick Corea – Armando’s Rhumba, Daniel Schnyder – Bassoon Concerto (world premiere), Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion, C.P.E. Bach – Sonata in A minor, Pierre-Max Dubois, Richard Galliano. - Sunday, December 8, 2024, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique
Julien Beautemps (accordion).
Program: J.S. Bach – Passacaglia and Fugue, Erwin Schulhoff – Symphony No. 2 (arrangement), Mozart – Requiem (excerpts), original compositions and other works. - Sunday, February 9, 2025, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique
Sophie Negoïta (soprano), Jansen Ryser (piano).
Program: Grieg, Sibelius, Saariaho, Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann – Liederkreis, Nocturnes, and others. - Sunday, March 9, 2025, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique
Amia Janicki (violin), Kojiro Okada (piano).
Program: Grieg – Sonata No. 2, Fauré – Sonata No. 1, Messiaen – Thèmes et Variations, Enescu – Impressions d’enfance. - Sunday, March 23, 2025, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique
Tjasha Gafner (harp), Aurore Grosclaude (piano).
Program: Marcel Tournier, Ravel – Ma mère l’Oye (arrangement), Renié, Flothuis, Rachmaninoff. - Sunday, May 4, 2025, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique
Héléna Macherel (flute), Jean-Sélim Abdelmoula (piano).
Program: Mozart – Sonata K. 304, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Richard Strauss – Sonata op. 18. - Sunday, May 18, 2025, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique
Iris Scialom (violin), Antonin Bonnet (piano).
Program: Fauré – Sonatas No. 1 and No. 2, Ravel – Posthumous Sonata, Enescu – Sonata No. 2.
Organ:
- Sunday, January 5, 2025, 5:00 PM, Salle de musique:
Jean-Luc Thellin (organ), Sara Gerber (piano).
Program: Bach – Concertos for Two Keyboards BWV 1060, 1052, 1062, 1061.
Collaborations:
- Saturday, November 2, 2024, 4:00 PM, Salle Faller:
Concert of the Neuchâtel Music Conservatory (CMNE) with young talents.
6:00 PM: Maurice Duruflé – Requiem op. 9, conductor Nicolas Farine.
8:00 PM: Solem Quartet, works by Janáček (String Quartet No. 2) and Schubert (String Quartet No. 14). - Thursday, April 3, 2025, Centre de culture ABC:
Screening of the documentary Ménage à quatre about the Arod Quartet and interview with Bruno Monsaingeon.
We look forward to seeing you! See you soon!
