LANA | MUSIC | FESTIVAL 2026 - Border Crossers

The parish church of Niederlana provides the setting for a concert that moves between musical worlds. Under the title “Grenzgänger” – literally “crossing boundaries” – the programme brings together different styles and traditions, from classical music to jazz and folk influences.

At the centre of the evening is the Cello Concerto by Friedrich Gulda, composed in 1980 for the renowned Austrian cellist Heinrich Schiff, who also performed its premiere. The work is considered one of the most unusual concertos of the 20th century. Gulda combines the structure of a classical concerto with elements of jazz, rock, folk music and improvisation. This stylistic openness reflects Gulda’s own artistic path as a pianist who was equally active in the classical and jazz worlds.

The soloist of the evening is Christian Bertoncello, a cellist born in Bolzano in 1989. He began his musical studies at the “Claudio Monteverdi” Conservatory in Bolzano and later continued his education in Italy and Germany, completing his master’s degree at the Leopold-Mozart-Zentrum of the University of Augsburg with highest distinction.

Bertoncello performs regularly in Italy and abroad and has appeared at festivals and concert series in several European countries. Alongside his work as a soloist and chamber musician, he collaborates with contemporary composers and performs as guest principal cellist with various orchestras.

He is joined by the woodwind players of the Bürgerkapelle Lana, conducted by Martin Knoll. The Bürgerkapelle Lana is a symphonic wind orchestra with around 80 musicians who share their passion for music in their free time. The ensemble is an important part of the cultural life of Lana and regularly performs concerts and participates in community celebrations.

A highlight of the orchestra’s musical year is the traditional spring concert in the Kursaal of Merano, held every year on the first Sunday of March. Rehearsals take place twice a week, and many members also perform in smaller chamber ensembles.

With “Grenzgänger”, different musical traditions come together in a lively dialogue. The result is a concert that explores the spaces between genres and invites the audience to discover new perspectives in sound.