The Collegiate Church of Moutier

1400 years of culture

The origine of the Collegiate Church of Moutier dates back to a time when Europe just began to grow as a cultural area. Founded as early as 640, the ancient Abbey of Moutier-Gradval belongs to the oldest places of Christian culture in Switzerland. From 9th to 11th century its network reached over the whole continent, students and scholars coming from near and far. The crozier of Saint Germanus ( 7th century ) the „Bible of Moutier ( 9th century ) and last but not least the Collegiate Church ( 11th century ) bear witness to its former glory.

Aesthetic harmony

The romance architecture, the interior decor and the windows of 1962 make up a convincing entity. The great organ, likewise of 1960, contributes as an architectural element to this aesthetic harmony. The Zen-like severity is carried on in the sound of the organ, unfolding in the wonderful acoustics of this medieval basilica.

Living cultural asset

Apart from the protestant service every second Sunday, assisted by a dozen faithful, this beautiful place stands empty most of the time. We want to make it accessible for culturally interested people regardless of their denomination. We want to establish Collegiate Church of Moutier as a center of culture and spirituality.

The organ

First of all the sound resources of the Kuhn organ shall be enhanced to make it fit for the 21st century, by consistently adhering to its own principles ( „transcend and include“ )

Flagship projects

Then we propose important productions such as IN DIE SANCTI GERMANI ABBATIS, a multimedia operatic liturgy, written especially for the Collegiate Church of Moutier; SANCTUS, a sound sculpture for 42 sopranos, 3 sound icons and organ; or TRANCE for MIDI-enabled organ and lighting which will continue the series of compositions of contemporary spiritual music, commissioned by the festival religio musica nova, such as CINERUM by Horatiu Radulescu or IMMACULATA by Sir John Tavener.

Positioning

« The Collegiate Church of Moutier - a place for music and spirituality » will be complementary to the nearby Abbatiale de Bellelay. While Bellelay lives from the contrast between baroque architecture, organ and music on one side, and modern art on the other, we will concentrate on music and multimedia productions of the 20th and 21st century.

Introduction

The organ
In Die Sancti Germani Abbatis
Symposium
Philosophical Concert
L’Orgue mystique
Sanctus
Trance
Ligne des Orgues

Concept