Those who know Müller understand he never stages a festival for his own ego. As he explains, when planning and programming, he thinks first of the audience—and of the festival itself. “Still, for my final edition, I’ve fulfilled a few long-held wishes—ones I hope the audience will love too,” he says. Chief among them: two opening concerts featuring Handel’s oratorio “Israel in Egypt” a Baroque masterpiece. “If you can bring in an ensemble as legendary and acclaimed as “Les Arts Florissants” with William Christie, it’s guaranteed to be a musical feast,” Müller adds.

Where music meets poetry
If he had to single out one event, Müller would choose the evening of Shostakovich's chamber music paired with texts by Franz Hohler on 3 August. Why? “Because this concert brings together music and poetry—two genres that have always mattered deeply to me,” he explains. The line-up includes artists personally meaningful to him: Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Sol Gabetta, Francesco Piemontesi, and Franz Hohler. “They are without doubt the leading Swiss musicians in their field—or musicians who have made Switzerland their home. I also have a personal connection to Franz Hohler, so I’m especially glad to have this great thinker and poet on board.”

Asked how he leaves a final artistic imprint, Müller is clear: “Certainly through a bolder programming approach than in previous years—offering programmes with strong contours and artistic ambition, yet still based on a model people associate with me: part tried and true, part fresh and experimental.”

Venues across the region
This year’s edition spans 14 venues, including the return of two concerts in Abländschen. “That’s particularly meaningful to me, as it symbolises our intention to bring music to the entire Saanenland,” Müller says. He’s long argued that setting is “half the experience” of a memorable concert. One such setting: at the Eggli mountain lodge, which hosts performances for the second consecutive year.

Looking for surprises? Mark 26 July for an electronic event—a “DJ-Show”—on the Eggli in combination with an ensemble led by violinist Nemanja Radulovic. Or 23 August for a George Bizet Gala with “Les Musiciens du Louvre”, mixing beloved favourites with lesser-known works by the French Romantic.

Debuts also shape this year’s festival. Among the first-time guests: the magnetic countertenor Jakub Orlinski, celebrated Bach-and-Beethoven interpreter Vikingur Olafsson, and mezzo-soprano Elina Garança, admired for her warm, dark-hued voice.

Easy entrées for newcomers
Winning over new classical listeners remains a key topic across the music world. Which programmes would Müller recommend to first-timers—something welcoming, not overwhelming?

“The Bizet programme on 23 August will warm the hearts of the audience,” he says. And: “Dvořák’s “New World Symphony”, performed by the Gstaad Festival Orchestra on 9 August, is the ultimate beginner’s piece.” Also on his starter list: Khatia Buniatishvili’s 10 August piano recital of “Hits” by Schubert, Chopin, and Liszt. Or: “Why not simply give Shostakovich’s 2nd Cello Concerto with Sol Gabetta on 29 August a try? I think it will resonate with many!”

Based on AvS | Kerem Maurer