Bern's annual light spectacle, "Rendez-vous Bundesplatz," will debut live musical accompaniment for the first time this year. The 15th edition of the popular show, projected onto the Federal Palace, begins Saturday, October 18, and promises a global journey for its audience. This new element introduces a complex challenge for the musicians, who must synchronize their performance with the visual display down to the hundredth of a second.
Key Takeaways
- The 15th "Rendez-vous Bundesplatz" light show starts October 18.
- For the first time, live music by the collective Take This will accompany the projections.
- The show, titled "Voyage," takes audiences on a trip around the world.
- Performances are daily at 7 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM until November 22.
- Last year's event attracted over 600,000 visitors.
Live Music Enhances "Voyage" Experience
The addition of live music marks a significant change for the long-running event. The Bern-based music collective Take This will provide acoustic support during specific segments of the 30-minute show. Eight musicians, including a singer and a saxophonist, will rotate through three daily performances. Their stage is two stacked containers positioned on Bundesplatz.
Brigitte Roux, the initiator of "Rendez-vous Bundesplatz," described this year's show as particularly challenging due to the live elements. The timing must be precise, requiring the musicians to play in perfect sync with the projected images. This level of synchronization adds a new layer of complexity to the technical execution.
Event Details
- Dates: October 18 to November 22
- Showtimes: Daily at 7 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM
- Duration: Approximately 30 minutes per show
- Location: Bundesplatz, Bern
The Take This Collective
Take This is a 50-member music collective founded in 2001 by Christoph Fluri. Fluri, a 50-year-old Bernese musician, describes the group as a "service provider for music." Members of Take This participate in up to 80 performances annually. They often perform cover songs at private events or support well-known musicians. Past collaborations include artists like Lo & Leduc, Polo Hofer, and Francine Jordi. The collective has also played at the Bern City Festival and YB championship celebrations.
For the "Rendez-vous" project, Christoph Fluri collaborated with Andreas Renggli to compose or arrange music for six different scenes. They received still images and general stylistic guidelines before working with the moving visuals. This iterative process ensured the music complemented the visual narrative effectively.
"We are, so to speak, a service operation for music," explained Christoph Fluri, founder of Take This, regarding his unique band model.
A Global Journey Projected on the Federal Palace
This year's light show is titled "Voyage," taking spectators on a journey around the world. Brigitte Roux and her team began writing the script early in the year. Projection artist Tim Schmelzer was responsible for the technical implementation of the spectacle, ensuring the visuals are stunning and immersive.
The journey begins in Switzerland, with a hot air balloon flight over the Alps to Paris. From there, the adventure continues to various international destinations, including Egypt, India, and Thailand. According to Roux, the visual language, special effects, and music each account for approximately one-third of the show's overall impact.
Behind the Scenes: Brigitte Roux's Vision
Brigitte Roux, the driving force behind "Rendez-vous Bundesplatz," has overseen the event for 15 years. Her initial inspiration came in 2006 after admiring Christmas lights in Funchal, Madeira. She presented her idea to then-Mayor Alexander Tschäppät in Erlacherhof. Tschäppät was immediately convinced, leading to a four-year process to secure approvals.
Challenges and Evolution of the Show
Introducing live music adds a new layer of complexity. Previously, the interplay of images, effects, and music was triggered by a single button press. With live musicians, the timing must be precise, down to the hundredth of a second. Roux admitted initial skepticism about the feasibility of this experiment.
The decision to incorporate live elements was partly influenced by sponsors, including Migros, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Hans Traffelet, Head of Kulturprozent at Migros Aare, stated, "For the anniversary, we wanted to do something that would make the show noticeable." This desire for innovation pushed the boundaries of the traditional light show format.
The first "Rendez-vous" in 2011 attracted around 500 people to its premiere. Back then, the street was still open to traffic. Roux recalls drivers stopping their cars and even standing on top of them to watch the show. Over the years, security measures have become more extensive, requiring significantly more effort. Last year's show drew an impressive 621,000 visitors throughout its run, highlighting its continued popularity.
The "Rendez-vous Bundesplatz" has become a significant cultural event for Bern, attracting both locals and tourists. The blend of stunning visuals, historical context, and now live music, continues to evolve, offering a unique experience against the backdrop of the Federal Palace.