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“Jidl mitn Fidl” explores the rich and multifaceted relationship between Jewish musical culture and the violin. From Klezmer to modernism and contemporary music, the festival spans eras, genres and cultures, featuring works by Achron, Mendelssohn, Joachim, Schoenberg, Ligeti, Kurtág, Czernowin, Nemtsov and Saariaho, alongside two newly commissioned works by Hana Ajiashvili.

With 17 Swiss premières, the programme offers an abundance of musical discoveries. Talks, lectures and guided tours explore the violin’s cultural history, while the Paul Sacher Foundation presents treasures from its archives. A musical salon brings together Jewish salon music, jazz, Klezmer and classical traditions.

Featuring Tabea Zimmermann, Ilya Gringolts, the Gringolts Quartet and many other distinguished artists.

SAVE THE DATE 27–31 January 2027 “Jidl mitn Fidl”

Few musical traditions are as closely associated with the violin as Jewish music. The violin was the principal instrument of the klezmorim, who played at weddings and celebrations. At the same time, it was the ideal instrument for a people constantly on the move: light enough to carry from one place to the next, from one shtetl to another, from one city to the next, and into exile.

The Programme
Through a rich programme of concerts, conversations, lectures, a guided tour and film, Mizmorim traces the journey of the violin across eras, countries and cultural traditions. At its heart are musical encounters between Jewish musical traditions, classical modernism and contemporary musical languages.
The programme ranges from Joseph Achron, legendary co-founder of the Society for Jewish Folk Music in St Petersburg, to Felix Mendelssohn, Joseph Joachim, Arnold Schoenberg, György Ligeti and György Kurtág, and on to Chaya Czernowin, Sarah Nemtsov and Kaija Saariaho. Georgian-Israeli composer-in-residence Hana Ajiashvili contributes two newly commissioned works, while 17 Swiss premières add further opportunities for musical discovery.

“Jidl mitn Fidl” – The Festival Title
Jidl mitn Fidl is more than a poetic festival title. Mizmorim also explores the cultural and historical dimensions behind this enduring image. Musicologist Eckhard John examines the significance of the violin and Yiddish music for Jewish identity and cultures of remembrance. Heidy Zimmermann joins Ilya Gringolts and Felix Meyer for a discussion of the violin’s formative role in music history. The Paul Sacher Foundation opens its archives, presenting precious manuscripts and archival materials.
A particular highlight is an imaginary musical salon in which Jewish salon music, early jazz, Klezmer and classical traditions meet and enter into dialogue. The festival cinema programme also explores the special relationship between Jewish culture and the violin. Beginning with the legendary 1936 film Jidl mitn Fidl, a subsequent discussion will introduce some of the great violinists, including Jascha Heifetz, David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin and Itzhak Perlman.

Artists and Ensembles
The artists and ensembles taking part are no less compelling. They include violist Tabea Zimmermann, violinist Ilya Gringolts, the Gringolts Quartet, and many other distinguished soloists and chamber ensembles. Together, they make Mizmorim a place of musical discovery, dialogue and encounter.