Issue 2/2026 - Focus on «Attitude»

SMZ (translation: AI) - 26 Mar 2026

Estelle Revaz being interviewed at the Federal Palace. Photo: Holger Jacob

Focus

«Artists have become the cultural patrons of society»
Interview with Estelle Revaz. She is the first professional musician in the National Council, politicizes for the Geneva Social Democrats and at the same time pursues her international career as a cellist.

The flirt between pop and populism
Politicians like to use catchy musical messages, sometimes against the will of the artists. It becomes populist when someone presents themselves as a rebel and floats on the mainstream.

Customs and politics
In central Valais, brass bands are not just about music. For a long time, they also referred to a certain party-political stance, which contributed to their success.

Music history with white spots
The political stance of the greats of Swiss musical life in the 20th century has by no means been fully investigated. Time and again, inglorious revelations are made, particularly about the years of the Nazi dictatorship. This also applies to Werner Reinhart, a leading patron of the arts.

Chat
Silke Gäng and Fiona Stevens chat about how a cultural institution can show attitude, both internally and externally.

(italics = summary in German of the original French article)

Critiques

New releases Books, Sound carrier, Websites, Notes, Movies

Echo

There is not enough space in the printed edition for all the texts, so they are listed here and linked to the corresponding online articles. Most of these were published before the printed edition appeared.

Opening a gateway to the world
Daniel Schnyder has always been fascinated by the interfaces between musical styles and traditions far beyond Europe. In the Hirschmann master classes, he shares his insights with the next generation.

100 years of Caspar Diethelm
To mark the anniversary, pianist Patrizio Mazzola is joining forces with other musicians to commemorate an outstanding artistic personality and his work.

Quand le classique décoiffe
Bouillonnant écosystème culturel, la série M Classics se montre plus audacieuse que jamais avec un virage à 180°. Entretien avec son directeur artistique, Mischa Damev.

Hommage musical aux victimes de Crans-Montana
It was at the Rosey Concert Hall in Rolle that a concert was held on January 29 to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy that occurred in Crans-Montana at the beginning of the year.

Curriculum fulfilled?
How are music lessons actually taught at primary level? Bernhard Suter, mentor and lecturer in music didactics at the Zurich University of Teacher Education, conducted a survey.

The energy of an orchestra
The Basel Chamber Orchestra sent a trio to the Tinguely Museum to reflect on sustainability. «Unter Strom» provided a speed run through music history, lots of questions and few answers.

Saving in the fog
At the meeting of the Parliamentary Group for Music on March 4, the possible effects of the «relief package 27» on the music industry were discussed. The package, which places a burden on music professionals, was put together in great haste with unclear consequences.

Focus on America at the Lucerne Festival
Sebastian Nordmann has presented his first summer program. The festival wants to become more relevant, but wants the controversial topic to be understood in purely musical terms.

Jerusalem in the center
The five-day Mizmorim chamber music festival in Basel at the end of January focused on intercultural encounters. Renowned artists and ensembles such as the Gringolts Quartet, clarinettist Reto Bieri and flautist Ariel Zuckermann provided musical excellence.

The desperate desire for the apocalypse
The Zurich Opera House shows Monster's Paradise. Together with Elfriede Jelinek, the Austrian Olga Neuwirth has created a highly topical opera in which she unleashes the monsters of the present on each other.

A festival is rebuilt
The new Ascona Music Festival was unveiled in Locarno at the end of January. No stone is left unturned: Francesco Piemontesi's artist festival Settimane musicali will become the cultural event «classicAscona».