Composer Oliver Waespi is enjoying a series of high-profile performances of his works to kick-start 2026.
His latest symphonic wind composition, 'One Sound to All', commissioned by the Symphonisches Blasorchester Feldmusik Sarnen was recently performed by them under the baton of Sandro Blank.
The piece, closely connected to the orchestra, features different sets of bells from the Lake Sarnen area, and form the basis of the work's harmonic structure.
Bells
Speaking about it, Oliver told 4BR: "Beyond their rich harmonic spectra, what is particularly fascinating about the sound of bells is their universality. Although church bells in particular emerged from a relatively well-defined spiritual culture, for centuries they have served as audible and tangible sound symbols for all people in their surroundings, regardless of status, spiritual belief, or worldview.
The title alludes to this — One Sound to All — taken from the Longfellow poem 'The Bells of San Blas', which reflects on the relentless passage of time, of which bells are a powerful symbol."
EBBC Conductor winner
Next month, his 40-minute 'Out of Earth', commissioned for the Aulos Wind Symphony, will be performed by the renowned Banda Sinfonica Municipal de Barcelona under Jose R. Pascual-Vilaplana at the Emergents Festival at L'Auditori Barcelona.
There is a brass band connection with the performance, as the conductor was the first-ever winner of the European Conductors Competition title in Birmingham in 2000, and has since become one of the most renowned wind band conductors in Europe.
Oliver added: "This three-movement symphonic poem explores creation mythology as depicted in Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', focusing in particular on the 'Ages': Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Iron Ages, followed by the 'Deluge' and the re-creation of humankind from earth."
The Barcelona concert will also feature Pantagruelic by Victor Visuerte and Martin Ellerby's Euphonium Concerto, with Adria Cisneros as soloist.
There is a brass band connection with the performance, as the conductor was the first-ever winner of the European Conductors Competition title in Birmingham in 20004BR
Championship work
Oliver has also been busy working on his latest brass band contesting work which will be performed in the Championship Section of the Eidgenossisches Musikfest 2026 (Swiss Music Convention) in Biel will be premiered in May 2026.
"The title has yet to be announced, but I am really looking forward to the event which is arguably the largest wind and brass band festival in the world.
There are no fewer than 550 bands competing over four days and which will also feature works for brass band by Olivier Marquis, Stephan Hodel, Manuel Renggli, and Mario Burki."
