Four-and-a-half weeks of world class music: experience the legendary conductors, the solo virtuosos, and of course the matchless "parade" of top international orchestras.
2026 Lucerne Festival Summer: Complete list of concertsSummer 2026
Summertime! With “American Dreams” as its theme, the summer of music in Lucerne in 2026 – the first under the leadership of Executive and Artistic Director Sebastian Nordmann –explores diverse musical expressions of dreams from across the United States. Among the season’s highlights are the 50th anniversary of Anne-Sophie Mutter’s first appearance on a Lucerne stage, Augustin Hadelich as “artiste étoile,” Mark Andre as composer-in-residence, and Jörg Widmann as the new Artistic Director of the Lucerne Festival Academy.
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Sebastian Nordmann on Lucerne Festival Summer 2026
A warm welcome!
“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy”: it rings true for our Festival as well, which turns Lucerne into a musical dreamland for nearly five weeks each summer, drawing listeners from far and wide. Yet behind the famous song from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess lies a longing to escape into a better world and to follow a path of one’s own choosing. American musical history reflects this yearning in its own distinctive way, shaped by many cultures and rich in an extraordinary variety of styles and forms of expression. In contrast to the European tradition, it defines “classical music” more generously and welcomes such genres as musical theater and film music, jazz, folk traditions, and Minimalism into its orbit. In 2026 we will explore this richness under the theme “American Dreams.” We will present works by George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Charles Ives, Steve Reich, and Frank Zappa; feature our “artiste étoile” Augustin Hadelich; and welcome many guests from the “New World,” from the young poet Amanda Gorman to the members of the Met Orchestra.
Leonard Bernstein expressed a timeless maxim with his remark, “ Let’s make music as friends.” Today’s great orchestras unite musicians from many nations — people shaped by different cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. Yet the wish to make music together binds them, fosters exchange, and opens the door to new understanding. Amanda Gorman reminds us of this spirit: “We turn our attention not to what stands between us, but to what lies ahead.” Having a shared goal is the key — and how wonderful that she will bring this thought to Lucerne in person this summer!
I, too, see myself as a bridge-builder between worlds, and I am convinced that at Lucerne Festival dreams can truly come to life.
In eager anticipation of an eventful 2026 season!
Yours,
Sebastian Nordmann -
Go West! «American Dreams» from A (for John Adams) to Z (for Frank Zappa)
America dreams on . . . It began 250 years ago, when the United States formally declared its independence on 4 July 1776. And the dream carried forward as American composers carved out new musical worlds: jazz and film scores, folk and Minimalism came into their own, while composers like Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and Korngold found a haven there and reshaped the growing musical landscape. With its “American Dreams” theme, Lucerne Festival Summer 2026 showcases the richly varied forms of expression in which musical dreams take shape.
America from A (for John Adams) to Z (for Frank Zappa)
- Adams Doctor Atomic Symphony | 29.08.
- Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine | 04.09.
- Adams The Chairman Dances | 31.08.
- Antheil Allegro from the Serenade No. 1 for String Orchestra | 06.09.
- Barber Adagio for brass ensemble | 19.08.
- Barber excerpts from Excursions, Op. 20 | 27.08.
- Barber Piano Concerto, Op. 38 | 09.09.
- Barber Mutations from Bach | 09.09.
- Barber Violin Concerto, Op. 14 | 15.08.
- Beach Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, Op. 67 | 19.08.
- Beach Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23 | 24.08.
- Bernstein Mambo from West Side Story | 13.08.
- Bernstein Suite from West Side Story | 19.08.
- Bernstein Waltz from the Divertimento for Orchestra | 06.09.
- Buck Concert Variations on “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Op. 23 | 12.09.
- Carter Asko Concerto | 30.08.
- Copland Appalachian Spring (Suite) | 09.09.
- Copland Hoe-Down from Rodeo | 06.09.
- Corigliano Voyage | 06.09.
- Dvořák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 From the New World | 04.09.
- Eisler excerpts from the Hollywooder Liederbuch | 01.09.
- Gershwin Concerto in F | 14.08.
- Gershwin Cuban Overture | 13. & 14.08.
- Gershwin/Wild Embraceable You | 27.08.
- Gershwin Lullaby | 06.09.
- Gershwin Porgy and Bess | 13.09.
- Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue | 20.08.
- Gershwin Strike Up the Band | 19.08.
- Gordon Trance | 11.09.
- Ives Symphony No. 1 in D minor | 14.08.
- Ives Variations on “America” | 12.09.
- Korngold Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 | 22.08.
- Mazzoli Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) | 30.08.
- Nelson Endangered Dreams (world premiere) | 30.08.
- Perkinson String Quartet Calvary | 10.09.
- Previn Violin Concerto No. 2 | 25.08.
- Price Andante cantabile | 06.09.
- Reich Clapping Music | 25.08.
- Reich Drumming, Part One | 25.08.
- Reich Mallet Quartet | 25. & 30.08.
- Reich Music for Pieces of Wood | 25.08.
- Reich New York Counterpoint | 13. & 14.08.
- Riley In C | 07.09. (40min)
- Tate Pisachi | 10.09.
- Thomas excerpts from Abracadabra (Suncatchers) | 30.08.
- Waxman Carmen Fantasie | 03.09.
- Zappa The Yellow Shark | 22.08.
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What’s new?
The 2026 Summer Festival is the first under the leadership of Sebastian Nordmann as Lucerne Festival’s Executive and Artistic Director. Welcoming the world’s finest orchestras and top classical artists — and presenting music at the highest level — remains the core principle. Yet new ideas are part of the mix as well.
Essentials 2026
There’s More to Lucerne Festival
Lucerne Festival is more than just the symphony concerts in the evening. A major open-air concert for everyone, the popular live broadcast of the Opening Concert in Inseli Park, and “In the Streets: City Stage” give the entire city a Festival atmosphere. Lectures and, of course, the brief concerts in the 40min series enrich and deepen your musical experience.
