High note: Andermatt Concert Hall

Now you can catch a world-class musical performance post-ski at the Swiss resort with the development of a new concert hall

Art and Design 17 Jun 2019

Andermatt Concert Hall
A sketch of the interior of Andermatt Concert Hall

The Swiss Alpine village of Andermatt is known for its picturesque scenery, off-piste slopes and growing luxury ski facilities, but from 16 June, the village will also boast a world-class music venue.

Designed by London’s Studio Seilern Architects, the 700-seater Andermatt Concert Hall features a flexible stage that can accommodate a 75-piece full symphony orchestra, and a glass façade so winter concertgoers can enjoy the added romance of a snowy view with your glühwein.

Kahle Acoustics and Ducks Scéno, the team behind the Philharmonie de Paris, were enlisted to create the acoustics and theatre design, while the Berliner Philharmoniker putting it through its paces on opening night. Andermatt’s opening season continues in the autumn and will include satellite performances from the Lucerne Festival. A trio of young Brits is behind the new hall’s programme. Maximilian Fane, Roger Granville and Frankie Parham co-founded Florence’s annual New Generation Festival, an event that showcases young musical talent from around the world, and they are now bringing talent to the slopes.

The Swiss town of Andermatt
The Swiss town of Andermatt

Samih Sawiris, chairman of Andermatt Swiss Alps, said: ‘All my life I have loved classical music. One of my fondest memories goes back to my student days in Berlin – where I lived 100 metres from the Philharmonie and sat in the back of hundreds of concerts by the Berliner Philharmoniker and Herbert von Karajan. Lately I have been concerned that, more than ever, this great art form needs encouragement. Our fantastic new concert hall, which adds enormous value to Andermatt as a destination, will hopefully make a real contribution to music in Europe and bring pleasure to visitors and local people alike.’