La via del suono — When music bridges distances

One summer evening, two locations, one shared sound: with La via del suono, The Living Circle (Hotel Storchen Zurich & Castello del Sole Ascona), the Geza Anda Foundation, Steinway & Sons and Musik Hug created an experience that transcended boundaries and left audiences and partners alike thoroughly enthralled. In Zurich, Giorgi Gigashvili played in the elegant setting of La Rôtisserie at the Hotel Storchen, while Ilya Shmukler performed at the Castello del Sole in Ascona at the same time — connected in a live broadcast dialogue via two Steinway & Sons Spirio | r B-211 grand pianos. The result: an evening full of emotion, precision and hospitality.

Two stages — one moment

Both concert evenings began at 6.30 p.m. with a stylish aperitif; from 7.30 p.m., the performances of the two exceptional pianists merged into a joint narrative — connected in real time via Spiriocast transmission. This created a musical ‘bridge’ between Zurich's old town on the Limmat and the southern evening sky above Ascona.

Culinary delights meet sound

In Zurich, chef Stefan Jäckel was responsible for a flying dinner with wines from Cantina alla Maggia; in Ascona, chef Mattias Roock spoiled the guests — also with selected wines from Cantina alla Maggia. The evening thus combined top-class cuisine, excellent wines and great piano artistry into a multi-sensory experience.

Technology that connects

At the heart of the concept were two Steinway & Sons B-211 Spirio | r pianos: the high-resolution reproduction technology transmits the pianist's playing so precisely that the touch, dynamics and pedal work can be experienced in real time on a second Steinway & Sons B-211 grand piano – the basis for the full-length dialogue between Zurich and Ascona.

Partners for culture at the highest level

With the Hotel Storchen in Zurich and the Castello del Sole in Ascona, The Living Circle provided two venues that stand for unparalleled hospitality and culinary excellence. Steinway & Sons and Musik Hug contributed the technical brilliance and instrument of choice to this experience with the Steinway & Sons B-211 Spirio | r . The Geza Anda Foundation added an extra artistic dimension to the evening, highlighting the importance of supporting young pianists — impressively embodied by Giorgi Gigashvili and Ilya Shmukler.

La via del suono showed how culture, technology and hospitality can merge into a total work of art: two venues, two pianists — and a shared sound that resonates beyond the evening.