The Alpina project – a cause célèbre - GstaadLife print edition

Photo made available
GSTAADLIFE
No. 7 18 Feb 2005
After heavy snowfall, Gstaad is once again firmly in winter’s grip.
The Alpina project – a cause célèbre
For ten years a fierce legal battle has been raging about the
SFr150 million Alpina project in Oberbort. The plan to build a
five-star hotel with three apartment chalets has been fought
twice in Canton Bern’s administrative court and once in the
Federal Supreme Court. Following the re-scaling of the project
and the second permission
to build, a further round
is currently in full swing.
Access road to the
Alpina: the narrow
Alpinastrasse.
How did it all start?
Ten years ago Marcel Bach and
Jean-Claude Mimran bought
the property with the old Alpina
hotel still standing, which was
later blown up and demolished.
In a widely noticed ruling of the
administrative court in 1996,
this action was declared unlawful. However, the new building project,
for a huge, 90-metre-long, 30-metre-high, five-star hotel and
chalets, started to take shape. The municipal council and the
Gemeinde assembly were in favour of the Alpina plans, as were the
relevant communal and cantonal authorities. These plans, though,
were strongly opposed by several groups. Following decisions of
the administrative court, in January 2002, and the federal court a
year later, the Alpina project was scaled down and the distance to
the neighbours and nearby forests was increased. In June 2004
building permission was granted for the second time, which was
again opposed by neighbouring chalet owners.
Having downsized the hotel to a length of 77 metres, which reduces
the number of rooms, and by scrapping the nightclub and some of
the apartments, the project has now shrunk from 158 beds to 120,
which is the smallest possible still commercially viable size,
according to Marcel Bach. To him it is regrettable that the opposition
is apparently trying to delay the project with ever more
appeals, putting their own interests before anybody else’s. He feels
that the wishes of the local people and the
Gemeinde, which at two assemblies with record
attendance approved of the project with a large
majority, are not being respected, and stresses
the economic importance of the project, which
would provide 100 jobs when finished. What he
cannot understand is that the opposing chalet
owners apparently bought their properties in full
knowledge of the Alpina project and are now
fighting it all the way.
The opposing chalet owners’ fears
Among the chalet owners, the feeling prevails
that they have been branded as a nucleus of
obstruction. The chalet owners insist that, except
in one case, they knew nothing of the Alpina project
when they bought their properties, which in
many cases was 20 or 30 years ago. Their concerns
are not only with regard to the size of the
project, but also its long-term effect. They fear
untamed building activity in Gstaad will ultimately
ruin the resort, and are worried about environmental,
pollution and noise issues. In a letter to
the Gemeinde, in November 2003, they
addressed these fears, but feel they were not
taken seriously.
A particularly sore point is the approach route for
motor vehicles. The promoters themselves originally
claimed that they would need two access
roads, one coming from the north and another
from the south. However, the northern access
road has been denied by the administrative court.
The promoters and the Gemeinde were called to
review the whole project in light of the fact that
only one single approach way, from the south via
the Palacestrasse and the Alpinastrasse, would
be available.
The chalet owners allege that the amended project
on the whole maintains the original capacity
of the hotel and the three massive apartment
chalets. By comparison, whereas the Palace Hotel
has a total of 82 parking spaces, 32 of which are
underground, the Alpina project proposes an
underground car park for more than 180 cars.
Without access from the north, which the promoters
had declared themselves to be indispensable,
the entire traffic to and from the hotel and its
three chalets would have to flow through the
Palacestrasse and the Alpinastrasse. The car, bus
and lorry traffic of hotel and chalet guests, of
restaurant and other visitors, of staff and suppliers,
would cause very significant noise, pollution
and CO 2-emissions along this access road. And,
especially in the winter, when the narrow and in
parts very steep Alpinastrasse is covered with
snow and ice, there would be a safety problem
that should not be neglected.
The chalet owners are very concerned about
these aspects and requested an independent
expert opinion on the noise and security problems.
They appealed to the justice department,
which ordered the expert opinion last October.
The future will show whether and to what extent
the promoters’ project will hold up, and whether
the opposing Oberbort chalet owners’ main fears
can be dissipated. Due to this ongoing dispute,
building is not expected for the time being.
Photo by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
1

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Obituary
Major George Fielding DSO
The fascinating life of a perfect English gentleman
George Fielding was born on 3 July 1915 two
days after his father, a Company Commander with
the Sherwood Foresters, had sailed for Gallipoli
on the Dardenelles where he was killed three
weeks later. His mother brought George to the
Pays-d’Enhaut aged six years old and they joined
the English community
already established in
Château-d’Oex. George
loved the valley as much
as he disliked being sent
back to school in England
where he longed to return
to the mountains.
On leaving school, George
studied German at Freiburg
University and spent a year in
Canada working on trap lines
on the edge of the Arctic Circle.
George was determined to
avoid city life and sailed for
the Argentine where he worked
as assistant to the farm manager
on an estancia. He was
responsible for supervising the
gauchos, whose penchant for
resorting to their skinning knives
to settle a grievance was wellknown.
It was necessary for him
to carry a revolver and to let it be seen that he
could shoot accurately with it. This was a daunting
task for one aged twenty-two.
Later, whilst working in Rosario as a cattle buyer
for Swifts of Chicago, George saw that war with
Germany was inevitable and where his duty lay.
He sailed to England and joined the Army. He was
commissioned into The 3rd The King’s Own Hussars
and met Georgie Pope. They were married
shortly after but a few weeks later his squadron
sailed for Crete. They were not to see each other
for four years.
George was wounded in the Battle of Crete. After
the fall of the island, he succeeded in marching
those of his fellow wounded who were able to
walk to a rendezvous with the Royal Navy who
evacuated them to fight another day.
After service in the Western Desert, George volunteered
for the Secret Operations Executive. In
August 1944, he was dropped by parachute into
the Tramontei area of Italy, where he was tasked
with carrying out subversive operations and penetrating
Southern Austria. In spite of a shortage of
food, clothing and ammunition, George’s group of
Italian partisans continued to operate and George twice entered
Austria dressed in civilian clothes to assess the possibility of establishing
a resistance movement in the area. Determined to destroy
George’s partisans, the Germans brought 6,000 men into the area
and offered a reward of 800,000 lire for information leading to his
capture. Having been
slightly wounded in a
battle with German
troops, George was
ordered to walk out of
the area into Slovenia,
a distance of 300
miles (500 kilometres),
from where he
was airlifted. This
march through the
mountains was carried
out in December
with deep snow on
the ground and it
involved wading
rivers at night.
George’s band had
no food except for
what crops they
could dig out of
the fields and the
gruelling marches
lasted anything
up to 23 hours. Typically George never spoke of his
achievements, but he was immediately awarded the Distinguished
Service Order for, in the words of Field Marshal Lord Alexander, “his
outstanding leadership and courage”.
When the war ended George bought a mixed farm in the West of
Ireland which he ran successfully for eight years.
George returned to the Pays-d’Enhaut in 1956 with Georgie and
their two children, Martin and Sarah. He loved the valley as much
for the scenery, its people and the wildlife, as for the skiing. An
excellent skier, he sought challenges especially in the deep snow
and the couloirs.
George and Georgie entertained regularly until Georgie developed
the debilitating condition from which she ultimately died. Typically,
George taught himself to cook and became quite inventive. He was
determined to repay hospitality to the best of his abilities and held
small lunch parties in his flat in Rougemont.
Always the perfect English gentleman, George was a popular member
of the international community in the Pays-d’Enhaut where his
modest charm won him many friends. His natural friendliness to all
he met meant that he was as warmly received in the local shops
and post office as he was at the dinner table.
George was always interested in people. An avid reader of history
and follower of current affairs, he was ready to discuss with know-
ledge any topic that arose in conversation. This
combined with his charm made him a popular
dinner guest.
When Georgie died, George took up painting and
quickly became totally absorbed by it. It brought
him a new circle of friends and he was never
bored when unable to leave his flat during bad
weather. Encouraged by friends, his work developed
to such a standard that he sold a few paintings.
Passers-by even used to inquire where he
exhibited. The majority of his work however he
gave to anyone who admired it refusing any payment.
George died peacefully in Château-d’Oex hospital
on 23 January aged 89.
Featured Hotels in Gstaad
Masthead
by Martin Fielding
***** Palace Hotel Gstaad: La Grande Terrasse, Snack &
Barbecue, Le Grill, The Lobby, Beauty&Spa, 4 tennis courts,
Olympic outdoor pool, and squash.
Tel: 033 748 50 00, www.palace.ch
***** Grand Hotel Bellevue, Gstaad: GaultMillau Hotel of
Year 2003, 70 beds, 2,500 m 2 SPA, “Restaurant Prado”,
“Restaurant “Coelho” with sun-terrace, “Bellevue-Bar”,
“Porsche 911 Club”, “Carnotzet”.
Tel: 033 748 00 00, www.bellevue-gstaad.ch
***** Grand Hotel Park, Gstaad: 99 rooms, Spa/Fitness
Centre, Restaurants: “Le Greenhouse”, “Die Panoramaterrasse”,
“Le Grand Restaurant”, “Le Grill”, “Le Chalet
Waldhuus”. Tel: 033 748 98 00, www.grandhotelpark.ch
Editorial:
Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl anne.pfeiffer©gstaadlife.ch
Antoinette de Scheel antoinette.descheel@gstaadlife.ch
Diana Kiker-Oehrli diana.kiker©gstaadlife.ch
Xavier Ferguson xavier.ferguson@gstaadlife.ch
Frank Müller-Brand frank.mueller@gstaadlife.ch
Marc Rome (Arts column) mr.rome@ukonline.co.uk
Peter Kuntze-Schneider (Advertising)
peter.kuntze@gstaadlife.ch
Publishing, Conception, Printing:
Müller Marketing & Druck AG, Gstaad
Subscriptions: Tel. 033 748 88 74, Elsbeth Wyss
3

au rythme des
Sommets Musicaux
de Gstaad
ollectionneurs et grands mécènes autant que
négociants et financiers, les Rothschild ont toujours
cultivé le goût de l’excellence. Ils ont su, au fi l des
générations, préserver l’équilibre délicat entre la
tradition, gage de qualité et l’innovation, ouverture
nécessaire au monde d’aujourd’hui et de demain.
C’est dans cet esprit que la Banque Privée Edmond de
Rothschild apporte son soutien depuis la première heure
aux Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad, point d’orgue culturel
de la saison d’hiver de cette prestigieuse station.
L’ambition de ce festival, de réunir en son sein des
artistes confi rmés et de jeunes talents prometteurs, est
en parfait accord avec la philosophie du Groupe
Rothschild.
GENÈVE 18, rue de Hesse CH-1204 Genève Tél +41 22 818 91 11 www.lcf-rothschild.ch
FRIBOURG LAUSANNE LUGANO LUXEMBOURG LONDRES MONACO PARIS NASSAU
MONTEVIDEO SAOPAULO PAULO HONG KONG TAIPEH TEL AVIV
BPER_AnnGstaadLife2-05.indd 1 1.2.2005 14:48:45

On 8 February GSTAADLIFE
was invited to the opening
of an exhibition at the
Palace Hotel, called “Rainbow
for Beslan”.
Prince Cyrus and Zoran Marchetich
guided us through an
amazing collection of pictures.
It is difficult to forget the horrific
events of 2004 at the school
in Beslan, Russia, where terrorists
held children, teachers and
parents captive only to execute
them ultimately in a totally
inhuman fashion. Only a few
escaped with their lives.
Cyrus Pahlavi, great-nephew of
the last Shah of Persia, witnessed
the revolution in his own
country, now Iran, as a child. He
grew up in exile on a small
island in the Indian Ocean, and
made painting his raison d’être.
Deeply
shocked by
the events of
Beslan he and
a Bohemian friend, Zoran Marchetich, decided to
help rebuild the life of the surviving children and
set off for Beslan. After being arrested twice on
their way, they reached their destination. The idea
was to motivate the highly traumatized children to
put down the memories of their ordeal on paper.
Out of those pictures, Cyrus created a collage
measuring 6.5 by 2.1 metres and called it the
“Rainbow for Beslan”. The exhibition was open
until 14 February 2005. by Antoinette de Scheel
FYI / Letter
“Rainbow for Beslan” Reader’s letter re snowboarding
culture
Kirche Saanen
Zither concert with
Werner Frey
033 748 76 76
18 February 20:00H
Christiania, Gstaad
‘Modified style lives’
Last chance to see the
paintings of Polina Fridman.
Everyday objects in life, a
glass, a bottle, an apple -
then distorted to make you
look again.
+49 (221) 619 921
Until 19 February
S.B. Interiors -
Gstaad
These paintings of figures
skiing by Rio de Janeiro
born Erica Bannwart are
fantastic and very
desirable.
01 912 17 16
Until 10 March
Stockholm Art
‘Munch by Himself’
A comprehensive
exhibition of the
Norwegian Artist’s
self-portraits
+46 8 5195 5289
www.modernamuseet.se
Until 15 May 2005
Cyrus Pahlavi and
Zoran Marchetich.
One of the pictures painted by a
surviving child, who lost his mother
in the massacre of Beslan. The
father killed himself afterwards.
Andrew Grima
Pope Paul III who commissioned the first
ever piece by Michaelangelo, an uncle who
was an artist in Rome. Entertaining yet
somehow not surprising, are the family
links and rich history of Andrew Grima. As
early as 1935, he had sent a drawing of the
‘Bluebird’ to the then holder of the world
land speed record, Malcolm Campbell. Ten
years later he was employing art as a
means to rehabilitate soldiers returning to
civilian life from war. A series of fortuitous
connections then saw him marry into a
family jewellery business, acquire his first
cache of exotic semi-precious stones and
later when the business became his own,
tour Europe in an Aston Martin, to the plaudits
of all who saw his designs. It is
however Grima’s organic forms that make
him unique. A pioneer in the use of natural
elements to directly influence a form, a leaf
or lichen will be burned away to reveal its
essence, then cast in gold and set with one
of an astounding array of stones. Still
working every day, he can be found creating
new designs in the studio, at dinner or
even whilst on the telephone.
Andrew Grima +41 (0) 33 744 90 50
Events...contact: Marc Rome mr.rome@ukonline.co.uk
Photos by Antoinette de Scheel
I have read two articles in the
paper concerning snowboarding
(GSTAADLIFE 21 January and
4 February). One lady felt that
we should have different mountains,
one for skiing and one for
snowboarding. This may or may
not be a good thing.
I was a victim of a snowboard
accident. I was hit by a snowboarder,
who knocked me over
the side of the mountain. I was
badly injured and had to have
Church services
Château-d’Oex:
St. Peter’s English speaking
Anglican Church
Sunday 20 February
17:30H
Revd. Clive Atkinson
Holy Communion
Saturday 19 February until
Friday 25 February, 2005
an operation in a hospital in Bern. I was lucky not
to have been killed. I was really cross at the time
because had I been killed, it would have been put
down as misadventure, when in fact it would have
been manslaughter. Therefore I think we should
do as the French and the Americans do, which is
to have surveillance on the mountains. People not
observing the general rules, and who are going
too fast or not taking care of others, could,
depending on the degree of the offence lose their
passes or receive a severe warning. I think this is
a good idea and cannot see why it cannot be
applied here. I feel strongly about people’s safety.
Carol Beech, 1162 St-Prex
Meeting every Friday evening at
SAANEN HOSPITAL
in the café on the lower ground
floor, at 18:00H, in English.
Important Numbers
Medical emergency number 033 744 86 86
Saanen Hospital 033 748 02 00
Hospital in Château-d’Œx 026 924 75 93
Fire-brigade 118 · Police 117
Car accident service
7 days, 24 hours, Tel. 033 744 88 80
For additional useful numbers please
visit www.gstaadlife.ch/usefulnumbers
Saturday, 19 February
17:45H, Ice rink, Gstaad INFO: 033 748 81 81
Ice skating show, Ice Skating Club Thun
18:00H, Gondelbahn Rinderberg-Zweisimmen
Night skiing INFO: 033 748 83 37
19:30H, Restaurant Alpenland, Lauenen INFO: 033 765 34 34
Folklore evening
19:30H, Huble, Eggli, Saanen INFO: 033 748 47 48
Skiing with floodlights
20:15H, Grande Salle, Rougemont INFO: 026 925 11 66
Evening with Military Music Rougemont
20:30H, Restaurant Hüsy, Blankenburg INFO: 033 722 10 56
Zweisimmen Jazz presents: Vino Tonto
Wednesday, 23 February
17:00H, Rinderberg, Zweisimmen: INFO: 033 722 11 33
Fondue evening followed by torchlight skiing
20:00H, Gasthof Bären, Zweisimmen
Folklore evening with accordeon trio INFO: 033 722 18 16
Thursday, 24 February
18:45H, Wispile, Gstaad INFO: 033 748 96 32
Full moon tobogganing
19:00H, Eggli, Saanen INFO: 033 748 96 12
Full moon skiing
19:30H-22:00H, Skilift, Lauenen INFO: 033 765 91 81
Moonlight skiing
20:30H, Wispile, Gstaad INFO: 033 748 96 32
Snow-golf full moon tournament
Friday, 25 February
10:00H–17:00H, Kapälliplatz, Gstaad:
«Gstaad Märete» market INFO: 033 744 57 49
20:30H, Hotel Wildhorn, Lauenen: INFO: 033 765 30 12
Folklore evening with Heinz Annen Trio
events
5

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PRAISE FOR THE SERPENT AND THE MOON
“Princess Michael of Kent has written an absorbing account, centered
on the glamorous Diane de Poitiers, of a dramatic time in French history.
Vivid evocations of court life under Henri II accompany shrewd
analyses of the politics of royalty.” ARTHUR M. SCHLESINGER, JR.
“History as high adventure! A fascinating period of time brought to
life by a scholarly and masterful writer.” DANNY DANZIGER
coauthor of 1215 and The Year 1000
“I always knew that Diane de Poitiers was the mistress of a French king,
but I never knew her fascinating, three-in-a-marriage romantic history until
reading The Serpent and the Moon by Princess Michael of Kent.
The author, who knows a thing or two about palace intrigue herself, writes
with style and panache and serves up marvelous details of pageantry,
court fashion, furniture, and gossip worthy of the master of the genre,
the duc de Sanit-Simon.” DOMINICK DUNNE
Her Royal Princess Michael of Kent
THE SERPENT AND THE MOON
Intrigue, Love, and Rivalry
at the Court of Renaissance France
The true story of an extraordinary love triangle
that endured for 28 years and changed the face of
France—the three-sided marriage between
Henri II, his wife Catherine de Medici, and his
mistress Diane de Poitiers who was eighteen
years his senior.
The Serpent and the Moon is a saga of love, war,
intrigue, betrayal, and persecution, set during history’s
most important cultural and spiritual revolutions,
the Renaissance and the Reformation.
Her Royal Highness Princess
Michael of Kent has for the past
twelve years pursued a successful lecture
career. She lives with her
husband, Prince Michael of Kent, in
their apartment in Kensington Palace
and their house in Gloucestershire,
England.
CHF 48.–, $ 29.95 hardcover,
available at Cadonau’s Bookshop, Gstaad
352 pages, 16 pages of full-color photographs, 50
black-and-white photographs throughout
EAN: 978074325104452995
0-7432-5104-0

FYI
Girard-Perregaux boutique – the first 50 days
The new and exquisite Girard-Perregaux
watch boutique on Gstaad’s Promenade has
been open since mid-December. Admired by
many, it is a success. During the first fifty
days business has been good, says Doris
Schoch, manager.
A unique boutique
Contrary to usual watch boutiques displaying
many different makes and designs in often
cramped space, the unique Girard-Perregaux
store is a showcase for just one make, the exclusive
Girard-Perregaux brand, which for more than
200 years has been, and still is, produced in the
company’s own manufactory in La-Chaux-de-
Fonds. The courage of the owner, Luigi Macaluso
to open his own one-brand-shop has paid off. A
remarkable number of customers and watch connoisseurs
have already visited the boutique,
according to Doris Schoch, manager. Lured by the
extravagant yet functional interior, many archi-
tects and aficionados of all things beautiful and
elegant have also been inside to look around and
view the highly sophisticated handcrafted watches,
and have been supplied with the company’s
catalogue. The main aim of the shop, of showcasing
and making the brand more widely known, is
being fulfilled.
Highly sophisticated watches
The brand’s particular forte is highly technical
men’s watches, but it has also been noted for its
award-winning ladies’ timepieces. The boutique
stocks a wonderful range of Girard-Perregaux
watches, some of which are unique pieces that
have been produced just for Gstaad. For example
there is the pink lady’s “Cat’s Eye” watch, a oneoff
with a pink mother-of-pearl face and a pink
wristband, which is only available in Gstaad.
Thomas Gottschalk, a watch connoisseur himself,
was recently in Gstaad, and pursued by a gaggle
of school children photographing him with their
Donations thanks to a surfeit of
parked cars on Wasserngrat
For the last two years a
unique parking agreement
has generated donations for
charity and will continue to
do so for years to come.
Donations for charity are generated
by the unique parking
agreement between the five
Child’s drawing accompanying the
Bissen School’s thank-you letter.
Bissen chalet owners of Chalet Rico and Chalet
Benno, represented by Giampiero Dotti, and the
Wasserngrat 2000 ski lift company. 150 cars are
by law allowed to park at the same time in the
Wasserngrat car park, halfway up the mountain.
Every vehicle over the 150-car limit has to be
counted by the ski lift company, which pays SFr15
per extra car towards charity. The 2003/2004
winter season saw 317 vehicles more than the
limit parked on Wasserngrat.
The resulting SFr4,755 were
divided between the Bissen
School and the Chinderhuus
Drawing made available
Ebnit. Both institutions were
extremely happy to receive the
donations and sent thank-you
letters to Mr. Dotti. The agreement
and the donations for
charity are to be kept up in the
years to come. It is not easy to
keep track of all the excess
cars. Giampiero Dotti intends to
suggest that an automatic camera
be installed that would take
a photograph of the car park
everyday at the same time, for
example at 13:30H, which
would simplify the process and
ensure the accurate counting of
the cars. by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
mobile phones, he fled into the Girard-Perregaux boutique and was
fascinated by the watches on display. It is possible to buy watches
off the shelf, but if a personalised version is desired, delivery can
take up to three to four years. by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
The interior of the new Girard-Perregaux
boutique. Of particular note is the “floating”
titanium table – it is attached by its
narrow end to the wall.
Sales exhibition of stools, side tables
by Fritz Baumann 9.2.–5.3.2005
Opening hours first floor gallery
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11.00–12.30/15.00–18.00
Saturday 11.00–12.30/15.00–17.00
or by appointment
URS VON UNGER
HOME
Kleines Landhaus (opposite Hotel «Grosses Landhaus»)
Hauptstrasse·Saanen/Gstaad·Telefon 033/744 44 11
7
Photo made available

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“Sommets Musicaux” masterminded by Thierry Scherz
The 5 th annual “Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad” will be held
from 25 February until 5 March 2005. The afternoon concerts
in Gstaad chapel are dedicated to up-and-coming harpists.
As always stars of the international music scene have been
engaged for the evening concerts in Saanen Church and
there will also be a few late night offerings. GSTAADLIFE met
Thierry Scherz at the Palace Hotel to find out more.
GSTAADLIFE: Mr. Scherz, what exactly are the “Sommets
Musicaux”?
Thierry Scherz: The “Sommets Musicaux” are really three things.
We have the church concerts in Saanen in the evenings, for which
we engage star artists. Following these concerts are reasonably
priced gala dinners at the Palace Hotel, which are very popular.
Then there are the afternoon concerts in the chapel in Gstaad,
where up-and-coming artists are given a chance to perform. Lastly
there are a few late night concerts, where basically anything we
fancy is possible from classical music to jazz and world music.
GL: What is particular about the “Sommets Musicaux”?
Mr. S: The concerts are deliberately short, 60 to 75 minutes with no
break, to allow skiers to get back, go to a concert and then still
have ample time for dinner. Many guests and chalet owners do not
have the opportunity to go to concerts when they are at home, so
when they come to Gstaad they can do some catching up. But we
GSTAAD – ROUGEMONT
CHÂTEAU-D’OEX – GRUYERE
CHALETS & APARTMENTS
FOR SALE
Compagnie Foncière SA
1659 Rougemont
Tél. +41 (0)26 925 10 00
Fax. +41 (0)26 925 10 05
www.gstaadrealestate.com
Interview
also aim to please the local residents. Ticket
prices are kept affordable.
GL: Where did the idea for a winter music
festival come from?
Mr. S: It all started when I was in my last year at
university in Freiburg, where I was reading law.
Sitting together with friends we were musing
about all the things Gstaad has to offer in winter
and came to the conclusion that everything
except classical music was available. So we
decided to do something about that by creating a
winter counterpart to the Menuhin Festival. We
are not in competition with this summer festival,
but complement it and enjoy a very good rapport
with its organizers.
GL: How did the “Sommets Musicaux” actually
get started?
Mr. S: In 2000 the “Sommets Musicaux” were
founded as an association, of which I am the
president. The first thing was to secure the
finances, then I and my colleague and co-manager,
Mrs. Ombretta Ravessoud, proceeded to put
together the first programme, which took a year.
2001 saw the very first “Sommets
Musicaux”, which were
dedicated to the piano. Every
year the focus is on another
instrument. In 2002 it was the
violin, followed in 2003 by the
human voice and in 2004 by
the cello. 2005 is the year of
the harp.
GL: Who supports the “Sommets
Musicaux” financially?
Mr. S: Very early on we gained
the unwavering support of our
main sponsor, the Banque
Privée Edmond de Rothschild
S.A., who five years down the
road continues to sustain us.
Incidentally, this involvement
led to me working for the same
bank as an investment advisor.
There are other partners as well
of course. We generate only
22% of our budget through
ticket sales, the rest is financed
through sponsorship and our
“Association des Amis”, our
patrons. So far we have managed
quite well, incurring no
major losses, which is good.
GL: How did your interest in
music begin? What are your
personal favourites?
Mr. S: When I was fourteen,
Thierry Scherz has made his boy’s
dream come true by being involved
professionally with music through
the “Sommets Musicaux”.
I decided I wanted to learn to play the piano.
Every day I would practice for five to six hours.
From that time on, music has meant a great deal
to me. I have made my boy’s dream come true by
being involved professionally with music through
the “Sommets Musicaux”. My personal favourites
depend very much on my mood. I have a wideranging
taste, but the one composer I keep
returning to is Johann Sebastian Bach, who this
year for the first time features in the “Sommets
Musicaux”. I find his divine music very inspiring
and uplifting. As a pianist I love Brahms, Chopin,
Rachmaninov, and the piano concertos by Mozart,
to mention just a few.
GL: Who puts together the programme for
the “Sommets Musicaux”? What is the concept?
Mr. S: I put it together myself. On the one hand we
want to further the careers of young artists. The
afternoon concerts are reserved for them. Each
year one of these up-and-coming musicians is
chosen by an informal jury, and is given the
chance of a sponsored recording produced by the
Swiss Claves company. On the other hand are the
evening concerts, for which there is no concept
but to give pleasure and listen to beautiful music.
At the late-night concerts anything enjoyable, and
not necessarily classical, is possible.
GL: Mr. Scherz, thank you very much for
talking to us. We wish you, your staff and
the artists all the best and look forward to
some great concerts. by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
9
Photo made available

hot food till 2 a.m.
LATE HOURS
DINING
&
PHONE 033 748 49 50
DANCING
orient-antiquariat ag
Manuscript
Al-Jazûlî, Abu Abd Allah Muhammad Ibn Sulaymân: Dalâ'il al-Khayrât.
A magnificent, richly illuminated Ottoman Rococo handwriting in many colours
and genuine gold. Written before 1840. Measures: 202 x 132 x 13 mm.
In style and execution our copy can be compared with the number 61 from the
Khalili collection (see: J.M. Rogers; L'empire des Sultans, 1995).
Ref. to author and work: GAL II, 253; J.B. Pearson, Guide to Happiness,
A Manual of Prayer, translated by J.B. Pearson, with a life of al-Jazûlî,
and directions for using the book from the Arabic by A.G. Ellis; Oxford 1907.
CHF 70 000.–
orient-antiquariat ag marc-edouard enay
chalet auerhahn · CH-3778 schönried/gstaad
phone +41 (0)33 744 01 01 · fax +41 (0)33 744 01 02
mail@orient-antiquariat.com · www.orient-antiquariat.com
Müller · Gstaad
Come and see our new collection
of fine jewellery!
Opening hours first floor gallery
Saturday 19th and 26th of February, Saturday 5th of March 2005
15.00–18.00
or by appointment
Bruno Inauen
Zürich
at Urs von Unger
Kleines Landhaus (opposite Hotel «Grosses Landhaus»)
Hauptstrasse • Saanen/Gstaad • Telefon 033/744 44 11

Gstaad and “The Serpent and the Moon”
HRH Princess Michael of Kent, author of
“The Serpent and the Moon”, is currently
visiting Gstaad. In her new book she tells
the fascinating story of the love triangle
between 16 th century French King Henri II,
his wife Catherine de’ Medici and his mistress,
Diane de Poitiers.
HRH Princess Michael with her new book.
HRH Princess Michael is herself a descendant of
both Catherine de’ Medici and Diane de Poitiers.
Her interest in Diane was awakened early on.
When HRH Princess Michael was twenty-one,
having moved from Vienna to London to study
there, she styled her complete life in black and
white, beginning with her apartment and continuing
with her Mini car, clothes and pet cat. Apart
from thinking this monochrome lifestyle to be chic
and different, she had no reason for it. Then she
learnt from her late mother that her ancestor
Diane de Poitiers had famously styled her own life
– and her country – in black and white.
This prompted HRH Princess Michael to carry the
monochrome theme further, creating a black and
white garden in honour of her ancestor, using irises,
tulips and violas for the black flowers. From
this time on HRH Princess Michael read everything
she could find about her heroine. After
opening her own design company, writing two
books and conducting years of research, she
wrote the engrossing story of the beautiful, cultured
and fascinating Diane de Poitiers, and of
the ménage à trois she lived in and her time, the
Renaissance. The choice of title for the book,
“The Serpent and the Moon”, stems, according to
Charity Gala at the Gstaad Yacht Club
in aid of the Lionel Perrier Foundation
Founded in October 2000, the
Lionel Perrier Foundation
encourages medical and scientific
research into brain
tumours. It also provides support
and help to patients and
their families. The organisation
finances research posts in several
international laboratories.
Five doctors, specialists in the
brain cancer domaine, will be
present at the event, and a
press conference will be held at
19:15H.
This prestigious Gala will take
place at the Gstaad Yacht
Club / Grand Hotel Bellevue on
Saturday, February 26, 2005
20:00H Cocktail
21:00H Dinner
During the evening, GYC member
Taki Theodoracopulos will,
for the benefit of the foundation,
auction off rare objects
Book / Charity Gala / Letter
Photo made available
with his inimitable flair. The list of fifteen items is
quite impressive: shirt signed by Roger Federer,
embroidered chale by Valentino Garavani, one
week’s sailing on the “Diotima” Yacht for four
persons, and to top it all, the possibility to participate
in the “Mille Miglia” 2005 race, in the
navigator seat of a Mercedes Benz Compressor
1927, with hotel, food, drinks provided and
the opportunity to meet many interesting people!
This is just to mention a few things... It is hoped
that this evening and auction will bring considerable
benefit to the Lionel Perrier Foundation.
Thank you for joining us to
fight this disease and to give
hope again!
by Susy Wolf, Comité d’Organisation
Gala FLP/Gstaad.
For information and reservations,
call Paul-Robert Martin,
on 026 925 89 00 or the
Reception of the Grand Hotel
Bellevue on 033 748 00 00.
Participation in the “Mille Miglia” 2005 race:
one of the items in the auction.
HRH Princess Michael, from the
fact that the French Renaissance
was an era of symbols,
devices, coats of arms and family
colours, since only the educated
few could read. Grandees
adopted symbols or personal
devices to represent themselves.
Diane primarily chose
the crescent moon, as it is the
primary symbol of her alter ego,
Diana goddess of the Moon and
the Chase. Catherine had a
number of symbols, primarily the rainbow, while
her husband lived, but she had one device, where
a serpent, the sign of sagacity, and also, to modern
thinking, of duplicity and danger, made a circle
biting its own tail. Both symbols seemed an
apt way of describing the two women: Catherine
– still, veiled and dangerous, Diane – brilliant,
shining silver and risen high.
HRH Princess Michael partly worked on the layout
of the book on a previous visit to Gstaad. Truly,
this is a story not to be missed. In Gstaad the
book is available from the Cadonau Bookshop.
Photo made available
HRH Princess Michael
skiing with friends
on the slopes of
Saanenland.
by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
Reader’s Letter
re ice in Promenade
Reading the plea by Ninetta Fix for greater diligence
in removing ice from the streets of Gstaad
(cf. GSTAADLIFE 4 February, page 5), perhaps
closer observations of the general population of
Gstaad would show there are more individuals
closer to eighty than eighteen years old. Healthy
eighty-year-olds are denied daily walks because
of ice underfoot. Is there any hope for ice removal
before spring? Miss Christoph, 3778 Schönried
Avalanche danger high
After heavy snowfall earlier this
week, the avalanche alarm has been
raised to “high” by experts.
In the whole area from Zweisimmen to Gstaad
and also in Lenk, and indeed the whole Bernese
Oberland, the avalanche danger level has been
raised to “high”. It is advisable to stay on marked
pistes and not to venture beyond. At time of
going to press this information is accurate. For
more up-to-date information please visit
www.slf.ch or call 187.
11
Photo by Antoinette de Scheel

Keith Haring (1958–1990) «Untitled (Curling Dog)» 1987, bemaltes Aluminium
Künstler der Galerie • les Artistes de la Galerie • the Artists of the Gallery
Balthus • Philipp Bauknecht • Sam Francis • Alberto Giacometti • Julio González • Alexandra Exter • Keith Haring • Le Corbusier •
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner • Fernand Léger • Niki de Saint Phalle • Andy Warhol • Tom Wesselmann • Hans Erni • Carl Walter Liner •
Robert B. Käppeli • Francis Bacon • André Lanskoy • Emil Nolde • Pablo Picasso • Nicola de Maria
GALERIE LOVERS OF FINE ART GSTAAD • Hauptstrasse • Dubikreisel • 3780 Gstaad • Tel. 033 744 00 44 • galerie@loversoffineart.ch