Beginning with the 81st edition in 2026, Basel-based cultural manager Christoph Müller (54) will take over as artistic director of the Ascona Music Weeks. Müller, who will leave his post as Artistic Director of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival after 24 years in the fall of 2025, was unanimously elected by the SMA Foundation Board as Francesco Piemontesi‘s successor.
In addition to his role as Artistic Director, Müller will also serve as a consultant for the continued development and repositioning of this historic festival. It will begin operations in the fall of 2025 and present its first program in early 2026.
Statements on the nomination
“We are delighted to have Christoph Müller, an experienced and successful producer and promoter of music and cultural events as well as conductor, to lead the SMA into its 9th decade. We are confident that his innovative ideas, exciting artistic approaches, extensive experience with complementary initiatives, and wide network of contacts will significantly advance the SMA!“
– Francesco Ressiga Vacchini, Chairman of the Foundation Board
“It is an honor for me to assume the artistic direction of such a prestigious and important festival in Ticino. I have many ideas and plans in mind to enhance its diversity and broad appeal, while consolidating the excellent national and international reputation it has already acquired. My intention is to attract new audiences to Ticino and to exploit the existing potential.“
– Christoph Müller, Artistic Director-designate
Vision and new orientation
Müller describes the new beginning with great respect for the festival’s history. With care and humility he approached the task of carrying on a tradition that has lasted more than eighty years. The new festival consciously relates to this legacy and combines a selection of concerts with internationally renowned artists with a determined openness to the younger generation.
classicAscona wants to promote cultural tourism, reach new audiences and strengthen international visibility, without losing sight of the close connection with the region and important musical and educational institutions. Audiences are already today invited to walk this path together and experience the concerts live.
Biography of Christoph Müller
Born in 1970, Christoph Müller is a Basel-based cultural manager and cellist by training. Since 1996 he has been involved with theBasel Chamber Orchestra in various capacities, including as cellist and general manager. In 2011 he assumed the role of “artistic delegate” and Concert Manager of this renowned orchestra.
At the end of the festival season, Müller will leave his position as Artistic Director of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy, a role he held for 24 years. During his tenure, he transformed the festival from a purely musical event into a diverse institution with a strong focus on promoting young talent, a conducting academy and its own festival orchestra. Under his leadership, the number of spectators has grown from 14,000 to more than 27,000.
Since the 1999/2000 season, Müller and the Swiss Classics agency have developed the Lucerne Chamber Circle at the KKL in Lucerne. In Basel, he has initiated several successful musical projects over the past decade, including the long-term project Haydn2032, the Basel Composition Competition, the interdisciplinary festival “Erasmus klingt,” and the Classical Stars A-Cappella. He also promoted the transformation of the “Musik- und Kulturzentrum Don Bosco Basel,” which opened in 2020.
In 2006, Müller co-founded the Solsberg Festival together with cellist Sol Gabetta. The festival will celebrate its 20th edition next year.
Read more about Christoph Müller: www.artisticmanagement.ch
Press release dated 02.07.2024