The journey of flute events in Boswil has spanned an impressive 25 years, marking milestones in both the “New Flute Generation Switzerland” and “Flautando Boswil.” These events have become an integral part of Switzerland’s flute culture, offering a unique space for flutists from around the world to gather, learn, and celebrate the magic and diversity of the instrument.
A Beginning
At the close of the 20th century, three Swiss flute enthusiasts met at a German flute festival in Frankfurt. Inspired by the festival’s success, they discussed the possibility of organizing a similar but more intimate event in Switzerland. Rather than hosting a large-scale festival with multiple parallel activities, the vision was for a boutique event with a manageable format that would foster closer connections among attendees.
Boswil: A Historic Venue
The choice of venue was clear. Boswil, a small Swiss village, had already earned its reputation as a traditional flute hub. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was the site of Marcel Moyse’s legendary masterclasses, which attracted flutists from all over the world. Musicians from Europe, America, and Asia made the pilgrimage to Boswil for Moyse’s renowned two-week masterclass, which became known for both its musical insights and its rich social atmosphere. One of the most memorable events was a specially chartered aircraft that brought 150 Japanese flutists to Boswil for the masterclass.
A Perfect Setting for Music
Boswil’s Künstlerhaus, with its stunning concert church and modern facilities, provided the ideal location for this new flute event. Nestled on a hill, far from the distractions of everyday life, the venue offered a peaceful and inspiring setting for musicians. The Künstlerhaus Boswil is known for its prestigious musical programs and its award-winning location, making it the perfect place for a flute-focused gathering.
From “New Flute Generation” to “Flautando Boswil”
In 1999, the first flute event took place under the name “New Flute Generation Switzerland,” led by Elisabeth Kind, Jonas Lindenmann, and Stefan Keller. For the next decade, this event brought flutists from all over to Boswil, creating a community centered on musical growth and exploration.
After 10 years, “New Flute Generation Switzerland” was integrated into the further education academy of the Künstlerhaus Boswil and rebranded as “Flautando Boswil.” Over the years, the event has evolved into a tradition, held annually in late autumn, and has helped establish Boswil as a true “place of the flute.”
Flautando Boswil: A Flute Tradition
The annual Flautando events are now a staple in the flute community, offering masterclasses, ensemble courses, and pedagogical workshops. The event is known for its welcoming atmosphere, where flutists can engage in showcases, discussions, and roundtable talks. The highlight of the weekend is the traditional Saturday evening concert, which draws not only flute fans but a wide audience eager to experience the beauty of the instrument.
Participants often leave Flautando with new knowledge, new connections, and lasting memories. Reports in the German flute magazine Flöte Aktuell have regularly praised the diverse inputs and the impact the event has on flutists of all levels.
Looking Back to the Future
The upcoming anniversary event, titled “Looking Back to the Future,” celebrates 25 years of flute events in Boswil. It aims to provide new insights into the versatility and richness of the transverse flute, showcasing its endless possibilities in performance and education.
As Boswil continues to be a “place of the flute,” it remains a magical destination for flutists from around the world, offering a unique blend of history, music, and community.
A Place for the Flute
Boswil’s role in the world of flute music is undeniable, and events like “Flautando” continue to inspire and enrich the global flute community. As the legacy of these 25 years is celebrated, Boswil looks ahead to future generations of flutists who will continue to find inspiration in this remarkable venue.
Stefan Keller, project manager of FLAUTANDO, expresses great pride in the event’s success and invites flutists to experience the magic of Boswil for themselves.
Flautando 2025
Date: January 18, 2025, Saturday
Location: Künstlerhaus Boswil, Switzerland
For more details and registration visit www.flutetrends.ch
Artists
Stefan Keller
The special thing about Stefan Keller’s work with the flutes is his versatility. On the one hand stylistically, on the other hand in terms of the instruments. In addition to his great interest in baroque, classical and contemporary music, he works extensively with improvisation in all its forms. Keller likes to combine his instruments with live electronics and loops to explore completely new worlds of sound. Masterclasses with Sir James Galway, Aurèle Nicolet, Robert Dick and many others completed his training. As FLAUTANDO – Boswil project manager, he has been inviting international flute stars to Boswil, the place of the flute, for twenty-five years. Keller travels internationally as a low-flute and improv specialist and has been honoured as a “Pro Argovia Artist” with his trio “Keller & Friends”.www.flutetrends.ch
Quintessenz – Flute Quintet
What happens when five flautists from Preußen, Hungary, Bavaria and France meet in the glamorous Saxon music metropolis of Leipzig? The result is a lively, spirited, imaginative, high-calibre professional flute ensemble – QUINTESSENZ!
Quintessenz has been playing together since 1996 – and in this line-up since 2020! The enthusiasm for the sound of the flute unites them as it did on the first day, and the diversity of their line-up constantly fuels their creativity and joy of playing.
The five flautists are professionally at home in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the MDR Symphony Orchestra Leipzig, the Staatskapelle Halle/Saale, the Lower Saxony State Orchestra Hanover and at the Leipzig University of Music and Theatre. Here you will find inspiration for playing together and have already incorporated a number of ‘favourite pieces’ from your daily work into the Quintessenz repertoire.
Jérémie Abergel was born in Paris. He completed his studies in Germany in various cities such as Berlin, Freiburg and Frankfurt. He soon made a name for himself as a chamber musician and orchestral substitute in orchestras such as the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra and the MDR Symphony Orchestra. He had a temporary contract at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. After a brief engagement in Chemnitz, he has been under contract as a solo piccoloist at the Hanover State Opera since 2019. He has also been a member of the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra and the Leipzig flute ensemble Quintessenz since 2019.
Anna Garzuly was born in Szombathely, Hungary. She studied in Budapest, Munich and New York. From 1995 – 2008 she was deputy principal flute and from 2008 – 2017 principal flute in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. University of Music in Leipzig. In 2019, she was also appointed professor of flute at the University of Music in Weimar. She has been a professor of flute in Leipzig exclusively since 2024. She has won prizes at renowned international competitions such as Scheveningen, Kobe, Budapest and Geneva. She has performed as a soloist with various orchestras, in Leipzig with the GWH Orchestra under Herbert Blomstedt and Riccardo Chailly. She is a member of various chamber music ensembles and a much sought-after chamber music partner (Linos and Sabine Meyer ensembles).
Manfred Ludwig was born in Erding. He first completed his studies as a junior student at the R. Strauss Conservatory with Philippe Boucly and from 2004 at the Hanover University of Music and Theatre with Andrea Lieberknecht and Gudrun Hinze. From 2008 he was an academy member of the Bavarian State Orchestra at the Munich State Opera. After several years of temporary contracts at the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig in the position of deputy principal flautist, he was appointed there permanently as second flautist in January 2013. He has been a member of ‘Quintessenz’ since 2016.
Bettine Keyßer was born in Potsdam and studied flute in Berlin and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She is deputy principal flute of the Staatskapelle Halle. She has performed as a soloist with her orchestra and plays in chamber ensembles in a variety of genres, including jazz. She is a co-founder of the Halle Wind Quintet and has been a member of the Leipzig flute ensemble Quintessenz since 2000.
Christian Sprenger received his first engagement in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra while still studying in his native city of Berlin. In 1995 he became principal flute in the symphony orchestra of the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk. He is also a sought-after chamber musician in various renowned ensembles and chamber orchestras (Leipzig String Quartet, Gewandhaus Wind Quintet and String Quartet, Camerata Salzburg, etc.) As a soloist, he has also performed concertos for flute and bass flute under conductors such as Fabio Luisi, Michael Sanderling, Kritjan Järvi, Marcello Viotti and others.
Tonino Riolo
Tonino Riolo graduated with the highest honours in piano and chamber music. Among his teachers were Maria Ioppolo, Roberto Bianco, Bruno Mezzena and Michele Marvulli. After winning 1st prize at the “Carlo Maria Soliva” International Competition, he took part in various famous festivals in Italy, Germany and Belgium, both as a soloist and chamber musician. In 1996 he was presented as “Artist of the Year of the New Generation” at the Koblenz International Music Festival. Tonino Riolo works as a répétiteur at the Hochschule für Musik Basel in Felix Renggli’s flute class.
