“It is a great honour to take over the artistic direction of this festival,” commented Christoph. However it is not by chance that the Menuhin Festival Administrative Board decided in favour of the young cellist and Economics graduate. Since 1996 he has been the manager of the Basel Chamber Orchestra and in this role, achieved great things. “Thanks to a skillful combination of old and new we were able to considerably increase interest in the festival and thereby succeeded in bringing conductors and soloists of world renown to the orchestra,” states Müller.

A further high point was the introduction of a high quality series of concerts of the 'Lucerne Chamber Circle' in the Lucerne Business and Culture Centre, which he established with the team of 'Swiss Classics', the agency he founded. As a consequence of this concept he was also successful in offering high quality classical concerts outside the festival and thus attracting a wider public.

A renaissance for the spirit of Menuhin
“Taking up and extending Yehudi Menuhin’s artistic themes provides a constant challenge. The perpetual delight of which he took in new ideas intrigues me. Back to the roots here means moving forward to what is fresh, uncomplicated and creative. So we are working to transform this fundamental into a modern format.”

Müller is convinced that his ideas would have been in tune with those of Menuhin, who was the premier virtuoso violinist of the 20th Century. During the past seven years he has conferred a new image to the second oldest classical festival. The concept is based on three main strands: an intensive chamber music week with a renowned artist in residence; great symphony concerts and concert performances of operatic works and operettas in the festival tent; and the cycle 'TODAY’S MUSIC', including days of improvisation and projects where musicians of all styles, types and cultures meet.

The Menuhin Festival Gstaad begins on 25 July 2008 and runs until 7 September 2008.

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