Twenty years ago, a bold vision took shape: to create a professional chamber orchestra formed entirely of Verbier Festival Orchestra alumni. Today, the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra (VFCO) has become one of the world’s finest ensembles, carrying the Verbier spirit across concert halls on every continent.
This year marks a milestone like no other. As we celebrate two decades of musical excellence, the VFCO just opened a thrilling new chapter with the launch of the very first Shenzhen Verbier Festival in China — an overwhelming success that surpassed all expectations!
To mark this anniversary year, we are launching a series of newsletters giving a voice to the people who bring this extraordinary orchestra to life. We will share intimate conversations that take you to the heart of the music, the tours and the moments that make the VFCO unique.
For this first edition, we met flutist Martha Chan, who joined the VFCO in 2024 and took part in the first edition of the Shenzhen Verbier Festival.
Martha Chan
Flutist
My name is Martha Chan and I’m a flautist with the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra (VFCO). Originally from Hong Kong, I now call Los Angeles home – though you’ll find me travelling the world with the VFCO for much of the year.
The adventure doesn’t stop in the Swiss Alps. From concert halls in Asia to venues across Europe, we’re constantly on the move, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.
Interview excerpts
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REGISTER NOWWho inspired you along your journey?
There are so many artists who have inspired me deeply, but one incredible musician who instantly comes to mind is Daniil Trifonov. I had the privilege of accompanying him during my first year in the Verbier Festival Orchestra.
To this day, I remember so vividly when he played Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring as an encore. The tent fell absolutely silent, so quiet you could hear a needle drop. No one moved or dared to breathe too loudly, afraid to disturb the beauty unfolding…
What makes the VFCO so special?
We may come from different parts of the world and different chapters of our lives, but the moment we sit down and rehearse, it feels like coming home. We all share that Verbier Festival Orchestra experience, that same starting point, and there’s an unspoken understanding between us.
And then there’s Gábor Takács-Nagy, our beloved Music Director. He has this remarkable gift…
What’s life like during rehearsal and concert periods?
Intense and focused. We typically perform a completely different programme every few days, so it’s usually two days of double rehearsals, then the general rehearsal and concert on the third day. That pace keeps everyone incredibly sharp and pushes us to connect with the music, and with each other, very quickly.
The challenge is also the greatest strength: the incredibly high level of every musician. There’s a quiet pressure to always bring your absolute best, because you know everyone else is doing the same…
Which concert stands out most?
Performing Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony under Simon Rattle in 2024, with Klaus Mäkelä, Lahav Shani and Leonidas Kavakos playing alongside us in the orchestra. It felt surreal, and honestly, a concert like that could only happen in Verbier!
