James Dillon Portrait Concerts

The Musikfestival Bern is a central platform for the independent contemporary music scene in Switzerland. It sees itself as a laboratory for innovative concert formats and musical-theatrical experiments. The festival takes place annually over five days at various venues in Bern.

Under the motto Blitz, the Musikfestival Bern 2026 will present around 20 world premieres as well as selected existing works by Swiss and international artists. The program is complemented by installations, a wide-ranging educational program, and comprehensive inclusive initiatives.

James Dillon is the festival’s composer-in-residence. The composer created his flute concerto Blitzschlag in 1996. This technically and musically demanding work is exemplary of Dillon’s compositional oeuvre. Born in Glasgow in 1950, the composer has been one of the most significant figures in British contemporary music for decades; his works have been performed at leading international festivals and interpreted by renowned ensembles such as the Arditti Quartet, Ensemble Ictus, and the London Sinfonietta.

In addition to Blitzschlag, the Ensemble Proton, together with the Schola Heidelberg, will present the world premiere of Dillon’s new Lamentations, a work exploring the Passion narrative. Furthermore, pianist Noriko Kawai will perform three of the composer’s recent piano works. A moderated conversation with James Dillon about his music will round out his residency at the festival.

The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation is making the James Dillon portrait concerts at the Bern Music Festival 2026 possible.

Further information:
musikfestivalbern.ch

Dates

September 2–6, 2026
Various locations, Bern