Switzerland

It was a little over two years ago that i was introduced to the orchestral triptych Core – Turn – Boost by Swiss composer Dieter Ammann, on an album of live recordings by the Basel Sinfonietta conducted by Baldur Brönnimann. Recorded in May 2023 to celebrate the composer’s 60th birthday, …

Day 3 Drive along the valley and up the mountain to the Oberwald, viewing what remains of the receding Rhône glacier. On to the Grimselpass, already partially covered in snow, and further to the Grimselsee, site of the centuries old Hospiz hotel and the months old Spitallamm dam built right …

Day 2 Drinking cappuccino while watching the sun touch the tops of the mountains, i realise what i think are the heavily filtered sounds of doves making it through the triple glazing are actually UMS’s recorder, coming from the rehearsal directly below me. JIP’s voice joins in, gently cooing, and …

Prologue Tewkesbury to Birmingham to Geneva, then on one of the most beautiful train journeys i’ve known, round Lake Geneva and along the Rhône valley into the mountains. Going beyond Leuk, where i’ve always disembarked on my trips to Switzerland, feels weird and wrong. i acknowledge the Schloss on one …

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To view this content, you must be a member of Simon’s Patreon at £5 or more

To view this content, you must be a member of Simon’s Patreon at £5 or more

To view this content, you must be a member of Simon’s Patreon at £5 or more

To view this content, you must be a member of Simon’s Patreon at £5 or more

To view this content, you must be a member of Simon’s Patreon at £5 or more