A word from our President, David Joseph
“Music is the universal language of mankind…. It is an art that touches the depth of human existence; an art of sounds that crosses all borders”
Daniel Barenboim
Following the success of the first edition of the Chamonix Vallée Classics Festival, I am thrilled to introduce the second edition 30 July – 7 August 2025.
As many of you know, this project was originally conceived together with the wonderfully energetic and passionate late Bernard de Launoit, Executive President and CEO of the Queen Elizabeth Music Chapel (Chappelle de la Reine) in Waterloo, Belgium. Our inaugural festival was dedicated to his memory. I am absolutely delighted that his widow, Vanessa, has agreed to join us this year and has become a patron of the festival.
We continue to aim to strengthen Chamonix’s position as a premier cultural destination in the Alps. The festival is focused on classical music but will also be linked to Chamonix’s rich history in all of the major forms of artistic expression and culture. The festival is organised to appeal both to those already holidaying in the mountains and those wishing to make a special trip. Everyone can be sure to be excited by both the music and all that Chamonix has to offer and its unique way of life.
Once more we are really fortunate to welcome many of the world’s leading musicians including the celebrated Ébène Quartet, considered by many to be the top quartet in the world right now; Angela Hewitt will play the Bach Goldberg Variations, a work that she is rightly famous for playing around the world; and the incomparable Boris Giltburg will play Chopin’s 24 Preludes, which will be a real treat for those lucky enough to hear it. We are fortunate to welcome back the stunning and joyful Kleio Quartet as well as a wonderful piano trio of Kyril Zlotnikov, Alena Baeva and Vadym Kholodenko. The supremely talented French Soprano Axelle Fanyo, who was chosen to sing the Olympic anthem at the Opening of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, will close the festival accompanied by Kunal Lahiry (piano) with a beautiful evening of French song.
In 2025, the concerts will be held at the beautiful Eglise St Michel and the Espace Michel Croz 2 (EMC2). We are grateful once again to both for their continued encouragement for and engagement with this year’s festival. We very much appreciate also the financial and non-financial support of the Chamonix valley community for the second edition of the Chamonix Vallée Classics Festival.
We are hugely thankful for the exceptional financial support of our patrons, friends and brochure advertisers, including our principal sponsor, Barnes, our valued social partner, À Chacun Son Everest and our newest partner, Chamonix Ten80. I am immensely grateful to you all for your generosity and your encouragement in the creation of the Chamonix Vallée Classics as an annual festival.
As ever I recognise the extraordinary and tireless year-round work of the whole organising committee in putting together this second edition. Thank you for all your efforts.
We look forward to welcoming all to the second edition of the Chamonix Vallée Classics Festival.
Let the music begin!
David Joseph, President
Committee
David Joseph (President), Denise Joseph (Treasurer), Patricia Millett, Richard Millett, Jonathan Points, Natalie Points, Olivier Rosenberg, Kelly Hail, Sioban Healy, Debbie Beckerman, Anne Grafe-Buckens, Dina Liu, Emma Wibault and Laura Blake Vouilloz.
Making Chamonix the leading cultural resort in the Alps
Our aim is to strengthen Chamonix’s position as the premier cultural destination in the Alps. The festival is focused on classical music but will also be linked to Chamonix’s rich history in all of the major forms of artistic expression.
The festival is organised to appeal to people who live and work in the Chamonix valley, to those already holidaying in the mountains and those wishing to make a special trip. Everyone can be sure to be excited by both the music and all that Chamonix has to offer in its boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and its unique way of life. And all this at the foot of Mont-Blanc. In 2025, the concerts will be held at the beautiful Eglise St Michel and Espace Michel Croz 2.
Chamonix Vallée Classics supports the association À chacun son Everest !
Since 1994, A Chacun Son Everest! has been helping children with cancer or leukaemia and, since 2011, women in remission from breast cancer to “heal better” by climbing “their Everest”.