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Description

An ending that inspires new beginnings – the closing concert of the 2026 GAIA Music Festival centres on hope, peace, and light. Following the emergence of life from darkness, the musical settings of the Nunc dimittis by Amy Beach and Arvo Pärt turn their gaze towards a peaceful farewell, while Pärt’s Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten honours the 50th anniversary of Britten’s death. Works by Peter Sculthorpe and Wojciech Kilar trace a path from death to life and toward the eternity of nature. Finally, the new also finds its place as the festival presents the world premiere of a commissioned work by Swiss composer Xavier Dayer. And so, the festival draws to a close with joyful hymns “to (new) life”. The concert is conceived as a composite work: Upon entering the Burgerratssaal, the audience is immersed in a soundscape of improvised textures and sounds. The evening opens with a poem by Gwendolyn Masin, flowing seamlessly into the first musical work. Throughout the programme, the musicians create bridging passages, guiding the audience organically from one composition to the next. Concert with interval Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes Refreshments available for purchase during the interval Reception (apéritif) afterwards Musicians Vocal Ensemble: tempo d’affetto Violin: Daniel Dodds, Eoin Ducrot, Joanne Green, Miriam Helms Ålien, Paulina Tomczuk, Gwendolyn Masin Viola: Martin Moriarty, Julia Wawrowska Cello: Nil Kocamangil, Alfredo Ferre Martínez, Chiara Samatanga Double Bass: Lina Humbel Percussion: Zoi Argyriou GAIA Musicfestival 2026 TO LIFE! And the Stories Between its Beginning and End https://www. gaia-festival. com/das-festival-2026/programm info@gaia-festival. com

Highlights

• Closing concert of the 2026 GAIA Music Festival
• World premiere of a commissioned work by Xavier Dayer
• Features compositions by Amy Beach, Arvo Pärt, and others

General Information

The concert takes place at the Casino Bern and focuses on themes of hope, peace, and new beginnings. It includes a mix of classical works and a unique soundscape, culminating in a joyful celebration of life.

Location

Casinoplatz 1, 3011 Bern, Switzerland

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