Special Events-Special Editions – International Competition for Musical Performers, Geneva – The First 40 Years (SE 2/1982)

MUSICA HELVETICA (SE 2/1982) International Competition for Musical Performers, Geneva - The First 40 Years. swissmusic

Since its innovation in 1939, the Geneva Competition has become one of the most important annual events on the international music calendar.

This special edition offers a musical retrospective featuring some of the first-prize winners in excerpts from their original competition performances.

Musical content

1. 1939 – Maria Stader (Soprano), Switzerland
2. 1939 – Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano), Italy
3. 1942 – Aurèle Nicolet (flute), Switzerland
4. 1946 – Friedrich Gulda (piano), Austria
5. 1947 – Victoria de los Angeles (Soprano), Spain
6. 1955 – Maurice André (trumpet), France
7. 1957 – Martha Argerich (piano), Argentina
8. 1959 – Heinz Holliger (oboe), Switzerland
9. 1964 – Susanna Mildonian (harp), Belgium
10. 1972 – Sumire Yoshihara (percussion), Japan
11. 1975 – Dusan Bogdanovic (guitar), Yugoslavia
12. 1977 – Ana Bela Chaves (viola), Portugal
13. 1980 – New York Vocal Arts Quartet, U.S.A.

Production information

Musica Helvetica. Special Events-Special Editions MH-SE 2. International Competition for Musical Performers, Geneva – The First 40 Years. Produced 1982 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen.

Background information

Switzerland is a small alpine nation shaped and influenced by great cultural cross-currents that have swept through Europe over centuries. Out of elements of diversity, the people of this country have forged a distinctly Swiss identity. And music is one of its most eloquent expressions. “Musica Helvetica” explores different facets of music in Switzerland from its earliest beginnings to the latest works of modern Swiss composers, from folk music to rock and jazz. This historical series span the years 1973 to 1998. These recordings are not available.