UBP Zurich recently hosted the first edition of UBP Classical Nights, an intimate concert series celebrating young classical music talent, inspiring performances, and meaningful conversations.
A new cultural experience in Zurich
As summer began, UBP Zurich welcomed guests to the first edition of UBP Classical Nights, a new cultural initiative bringing together classical music, emerging talent and meaningful dialogue in an exceptional setting overlooking Lake Zurich.
Hosted at UBP’s Zurich office on the city’s Bahnhofstrasse, the series featured three private piano recitals performed by young, prize-winning artists in an elegant and intimate atmosphere. Each evening opened with a warm welcome by Adrian Künzi, CEO of UBP Zurich and Head of Wealth Management European Markets, followed by a short Q&A with that evening’s pianist, giving guests the opportunity to learn more about the artist’s inspirations, background and future ambitions.
From a shared passion to a distinctive format
The concept was born out of a shared passion for classical music and a desire to create a different kind of client experience. Adrian Künzi, a dedicated classical music enthusiast, discussed the idea with one of the heads of a family office working with UBP Zurich, who is also connected to a foundation supporting young talents.
From this exchange, and through collaborative brainstorming, the UBP Classical Nights concept took shape: a format designed to combine artistic excellence with genuine conversation and relationship-building.
A memorable first note
This first UBP Classical Nights also created one particularly memorable image before a single note had even been played: a piano being raised from the street to the rooftop of UBP’s Zurich office. This ‘flying piano’ became a striking visual highlight of the initiative and reflected the creativity and attention to detail behind the event.
Three pianists, three musical worlds
Across the series, guests were introduced to three pianists, each with a distinctive artistic voice and programme.
The opening recital featured Ilya Shmukler, whose programme, Landscapes of the Heart, included Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14, widely known as the ‘Moonlight’ Sonata, as well as selected movements from Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor. A graduate of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, Shmukler rose to international prominence after winning First Prize and four additional awards at the 2024 Concours Géza Anda in Zurich.
For Shmukler, the setting added a special dimension to the performance:
‘Playing by the lake at UBP Zurich was a truly special experience. The proximity of the audience created an immediate connection, making every note feel authentic and deeply expressive.’
The second evening introduced guests to Laura Mota Pello, a young Spanish pianist currently studying at the Musik-Akademie Basel with Claudio Martínez Mehner. Her programme, Romantic Visions: From German Fantasy to Spanish Memory, brought together works by Schumann, Albéniz and Granados, creating a musical journey from German Romanticism to Spanish lyricism. Mota Pello has earned numerous distinctions, including First Prize at the Rahn Musikpreis 2024 in Zurich.
She described the atmosphere as both freeing and intimate: ‘The openness of the setting gave the music a remarkable sense of freedom. Unlike the formality of a concert hall, it invited an intimacy and lightness that made the performance especially inspiring.’
The series concluded with Shih-Wei Huang, whose programme, Poetry, Pulse, and Paraphrase, combined Chopin’s dramatic Ballade No. 1, Liszt’s Rigoletto paraphrase, and Entendo, Huang’s own contemporary work presented as a world premiere. Born in Taipei, Huang has performed across Europe, the United States and Asia since the age of 12, and has appeared with major orchestras including the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra and the Warsaw Symphony Orchestra. For Huang, the experience was equally memorable: ‘With such a wonderful atmosphere and warm audience, performing in this intimate setting was a great joy.’
Music as a catalyst for conversation
Reflecting on the initiative, Adrian Künzi commented:
‘The evenings felt effortless and inspiring – a reminder that great music creates meaningful conversations. Thank you to our guests for sharing these moments with us.’
With UBP Classical Nights, UBP Zurich offered a cultural experience where music, talent and conversation came together naturally, and where an unforgettable setting helped turn each performance into a shared moment of inspiration.
