Yehudi Menuhin and family moved to the luxury lifestyle village Gstaad in 1957, where he found his inspiration among one of the most beautiful of places with a commanding view of the mountains; he would frequently take walks with his children. This is where there would eventually be an annual tribute to the excellent Lord Yehudi Menuhin.

The very roots of the Menuhin Festival Gstaad date back to 1956 when the director of tourism in Gstaad asked Menuhin if he would grace fans with a season of concerts in the summer, which he welcomed. From this moment on, luxury summer concerts were held in Gstaad and were known as "Yehudi-Menuhin-Musiksommer". The superb concerts grew from two events to nine and in 1958; the "Zurich Chamber Orchestra" took part.

The luxury lifestyle Festival gradually became more complex and in 1976, a committee became established to take care of the administrative tasks. In 1989, acquisition of the Alpengala AG took place, which made it possible for large symphony orchestras to be brought to Gstaad. This saw the festival transformed from a celebration of chamber music to one of Switzerland’s very best and largest luxury music festivals.

The Menuhin Festival Gstaad was founded by Christopher Muller as a tribute to Lord Menuhin in 2002; he successfully promoted the superb festival with a creative philosophy program that was to set the trend for projects and development in the long term for specific artistic spheres. The Gstaad Chamber Festival" features some of the very best artists such as Joshua Bell, Afred Brendel and Helene Grimaud, who all make music in a very relaxed atmosphere.The Festival Tent holds "Symphony Orchestra Concerts", which bring symphonic brilliance back to Gstaad along with a close partnership with The London Symphony Orchestra.

Some of the finest artists have made appearances including Nigel Kennedy and Swiss legend of jazz George Gruntz. Even the children of Saanenland take part in the "Musical Project for Children" featuring 30 to 50 children from the region. Many famous works such as "Pollicino" from Hans-Werner Henze and "Carnival of Animals" by Camille Saint-Saens have performed.

In 2008, the "Orchestra Week for Amateur Musicians" was established giving amateurs the chance to perform alongside leading musicians from established orchestras. This was supplemented with the "Youth Orchestra Week" in 2009 allowing over 130 amateurs the opportunity to participate in the Menuhin Festival Gstaad.

The title for the 54th Menuhin Festival Gstaad 2010 held 16th July to 5th September is "Between Heaven and Earth". Christopher Muller believes the title signifies the home of the lifestyle event in the finest region of Saanenland in the very heart of the Swiss Alps, a luxury place that is as close to heaven on earth as you can possibly get.

The "Chamber Music Festival" is the opening concert with Andras Schiff and the "Anniversary Concert 40 Years Music School Saanenland, Obersimmental Msso" closes in the Gstaad Festival Tent.

Editorial | Image Courtesy Of Menuhin Festival