As part of the 20th anniversary of the Education Festival, we are hosting a major concert this year on Saturday evening at St. Maria Parish Church in Weggis. An evening that brings together music and research, poetry and insights. What is music—and what can music achieve?

For more than 45 years, Andreas Vollenweider has been captivating audiences around the world. Over 20 million albums sold featuring his distinctive sound, streaming figures on a similar scale, a Grammy Award, and numerous other accolades attest to his significance in the music world. To this day, his concerts at the world’s most prestigious venues sell out shortly after they are announced. The reason for this phenomenon is difficult to explain rationally. A review in The New York Times perhaps captures the essence of this fascination: “His music is like the folk music of an undiscovered tribe in an undiscovered country on an undiscovered continent.” It recognizes in his work a “profoundly positive otherworldliness—and perhaps therein lies the secret of its impact.”

Is music merely acoustic decoration?
Vollenweider says: “Music is usually perceived as acoustic decoration—as something beautiful, pleasant, and entertaining. Certainly, most of us have experienced how music can deeply move us and trigger strong emotions. But that is only the tip of a monumental iceberg. Sound—composed of vibration, resonance, and energy—is one of the most fundamental forces at work behind the creation of our reality: mentally, emotionally, and physically. This dimension remains hidden from most people.”

Our World and Us – A Cosmic Symphony
On this evening, Andreas Vollenweider, together with Isabel Gehweiler and Veronika Stalder, will share his insights not only through music but also through words: he will speak about the little-known background and findings of his sound research, his artistic work, and his medical and scientific projects that shed light on the connection between sound, humanity, and consciousness.

Music from the In-Between Worlds
The magic of delicate textures alternates with powerful sounds—at times, rhythms that surge forth like a storm. The trio’s unique instrumentation opens up a broad spectrum of previously unheard and otherworldly sounds. In this way, the music becomes a direct experience of Vollenweider’s interpretations.
Many pieces emerge from free improvisation, becoming a journey of discovery into the unpredictable—for the performers as well as for the audience.

Performers: Andreas Vollenweider (harps and ethnic wind instruments), Isabel Gehweiler (cello), and Veronika Stalder (vocals, nyckelharpa, and guitar)
https://www.vollenweider.com/

Link to the 20th Annual Education Festival
Admission is included in the Education Festival Pass.
Those who wish to attend only the concert can register here for this special evening event.
Seating is limited—concert tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets are available at the box office, provided the concert is not sold out—we recommend checking availability in advance. Seats are not numbered—first come, best seat.

Sponsered by Lucerne Tourism