Concert programme 2025
"About fear and hope"

Fear and hope, two contrasting but also complementary emotions, are the guiding themes of the SSWO Tour 2025. They are more relevant than ever in an age full of conflict, tension, upheaval and change. At the same time, the interplay of both emotions is essential to drive change. Fear, an unspecific, diffuse feeling that acts as a brake on development, stands in contrast to hope, which drives change and leads to progress.

Fear and hope traditionally play a major role in music too. Music as a projection surface for emotions can not only represent feelings, but also specifically reinforce their perception in the listener. In addition, music has also been shown to alleviate pain, anxiety and fear on a pathophysiological level.

Commissioned work 2025

This year's SSWO commission goes to the Ticino composer and conductor Franco Cesarini (*1961), whose works impress with their melodic beauty, technical sophistication and profound expressiveness. Cesarini manages to compose music that is both artistically sophisticated and accessible to a wide audience. He combines classical influences with modern sounds and often integrates elements from the wind music tradition, which makes his style unmistakable. For his SSWO composition, Cesarini draws inspiration from his home country and his many years of experience as a conductor and composer for wind orchestras. ‘Switzerland is where my musical journey began, but the many encounters with international orchestras and composers have always enriched my music,’ explains Cesarini.

«Winds of Hope» – an Overture for Wind Orchestra Op. 64

Premiere 2025
Franco Cesarini (*1961)

Suite from «Star Wars: The Force Awakens»

John Williams (*1932), arr. Paul Lavender

I. March of the Resistance

II. Rey’s Theme

III. Scherzo for X-Wings

IV. Jedi Steps and Finale

Break

Symphony No. 2 d-moll «Von der Angst unserer Zeit»

Thomas Trachsel (*1972)

Bettina Weder, Mezzosopran

I. Requiem aeternam

II. Dies irae

III. Klagelied einer Mutter

IV. Lux aeterna