In terms of culture, Lake Geneva has inspired a wide variety of artistic representations. From postcards to paintings on canvas, music has also been influenced by Western Europe's largest Alpine lake: from classical to rock, there's something for everyone!
Deep Purple's famous hard rock hit "Smoke on the Water" is directly linked to the tragic story of the Montreux Casino fire in 1971. Taking refuge in the nearby Grand Hotel, the band's bassist (Roger Glover) saw the thick black smoke billowing out and covering Lake Geneva. He began to write in his notebook: "Smoke on the water..." and the song was released the following year.
On the classical side, Piotr Illich Tchaikovsky made several stopovers on the shores of Lake Geneva. Between 1877 and 1879, when he was going through one of the most tormented phases of his life, he stayed at the Pension Richelieu in Clarens for several months at a time. In this haven of peace, he reconnected with his passion for composing, which enabled him to rediscover his serenity. In a letter to a friend, he wrote:
"Outside Russia, I know of no place where the soul can find such tranquillity as in Clarens. After the hectic life of Florence, this quiet spot on the shores of the majestic lake, facing the gigantic mountains covered in eternal snow, gives me somewhat melancholy feelings."
It's impossible to list all the artists who have drawn inspiration from this fabulous setting, but the list is long...
