Corporate Responsibility Roche Commissions

Overview

Roche Commissions is a unique and pioneering collaboration between Roche, and the Lucerne Festival Academy. Since 2003, Roche has worked with these partners to award regular commissions for new orchestral works to some of the world’s most talented contemporary composers. Roche Commissions provides a natural continuation of our long-term commitment to supporting arts and culture, and stimulating innovation.

How does it work? Roche regularly commissions a new work A further expression of the partnership Key facts and figures from an outstanding contemporary composer between Roche and Lucerne Festival is the which is premiered two years later at the launch of Roche Young Commissions. Every • Seven composers have been awarded commissions through Lucerne Festival in Summer, performed by the two years, alternating with the ongoing Roche this programme, representing six Lucerne Festival Academy . When Commissions biannual cycle, two young com- countries identifying and selecting composers, we work posers will be commissioned to compose • The first six commissions were closely with our prestigious partners, Lucerne orchestral works. Working closely with two premiered by the Cleveland Festival and the Lucerne Festival Academy. young conductors and under the guidance of Orchestra at Lucerne Festival in Summer and at Carnegie Hall, Rather than commissioning works that will , the Roche Young Commissions New York City cater to mainstream fashions or focusing on awardees will have two years to complete their • The initial composition by Sir current popular appeal, Roche Commissions compositions, which will premiere at Lucerne Harrison Birtwistle, “Night’s Black aims to enable musical works which venture Festival in Summer, commencing in 2015. Bird”, was released as part of a CD by NMC Recordings in 2011 beyond the conventional and which provide a • Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Radu source of intellectual stimulation and challenge. Results Lupu, Christiane Oelze and John The interaction between Roche scientists, our The outstanding works of music produced by Mark Ainsley have been composers and their music, and the active Roche’s commissioned composers since 2003 among the world class musicians role we play in the partnership differentiates are an enduring expression and manifestation and singers performing the compositions at the premiere Roche Commissions from more conventional of our commitment to innovation, not only concerts philanthropic initiatives. The roots of this in science but also in the arts. Roche Commis- • Some Roche Commissions ground-breaking initiative stem from a partner- sions offers artists in contemporary music the compositions have subsequently ship between Roche, the Cleveland Orchestra challenge and opportunity to forge new frontiers been performed by such as Filarmonica Arturo and Carnegie Hall which is now continued in their special field, just as we encourage our Toscanini, London Sinfonietta, by the unique collaboration between Roche, scientists to pursue unconventional solutions in Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest Lucerne Festival and Lucerne Festival Academy. healthcare. This not only benefits music lovers and Junge Deutsche Philharmonie “The Roche Commissions initiative, an innovative Published by commitment to cultural patronage, takes us into new, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd unknown territory. It provides the composer with the Corporate Donations and opportunity, initiative and inspiration for a new work. This Philanthropy work is prepared by the performing artists and is ultimately 4070 Basel, Switzerland premiered in the concert hall. At that point, the concert ©2013 audience need to be prepared to explore this terra incognita.” All trademarks mentioned enjoy Michael Haefliger, Executive and Artistic Director of Lucerne Festival legal protection

For further information globally but also offers Roche scientists an Lucerne Festival in Summer please visit: opportunity to experience a multi-disciplinary Lucerne Festival, which held its first concert www.roche.com/music_arts_and_architecture approach to their pioneering spirit. series in 1938, has grown year on year and www.roche.com/roche_commissions now attracts over 120,000 visitors each year. www.lucernefestival.ch By working together, Roche and Lucerne Music lovers from around the world have the www.roche.com/society Festival also contribute to creating something opportunity to experience extraordinary music new and innovative which would not be possible created through the collaboration of world- by working in isolation. The partnership yields class orchestras, conductors, and performers. a commissioned work of orchestral music The philosophy of the Festival is centred that will, thereafter, be played several times at on integrating the music of contemporary important music centres by the most inspired composers into the programming and on interpreters. celebrating the creative energy of young artists, as well as on artistic exchange. Background Roche has been an active patron of contem- The Lucerne Festival Academy porary art and cultural projects since the The Lucerne Festival Academy was founded in company was founded in 1896. This is one of 2004. Since then, some 130 highly gifted young Roche’s hallmarks, setting us apart from other musicians from all corners of the globe have companies. We understand the close affinities gathered together every summer to study con- between creativity in the arts and in a research- temporary scores and modern masterpieces. based company like ours, and we are convinced Working together in daily rehearsals, work- of the value that contemporary culture brings shops, and lessons, the participants receive the to our enterprise, enriching both our day-to- essential skills for performing contemporary day work, and contributing to our culture of music. innovation.

Roche Commissions composers since 2003:

Composer Composition World premiere in Lucerne Sir Harrison Birtwistle Night’s Black Bird August 2004 Chen Yi Si Ji (Four Seasons) August 2005 Hanspeter Kyburz touché September 2006 George Benjamin “DUET” for piano and orchestra August 2008 Partner organisation Toshio Hosokawa Woven Dreams August 2010 Matthias Pintscher Chute d’Étoiles August 2012 To be announced 2014