LDSM whets the appetite of audiences with two Festival Prelude events in July
Friday, 17 June 2011
Lake District Summer Music launches two special Festival Prelude events at the beginning of July in partnership with artists, schools, sponsors, funders and other promoters. Both events bring fresh experiences to audiences in South Lakeland, and thanks to funding from Gilbert, Gilkes & Gordon and PRS for Music Foundation many people will be able to access both events for free.
The first of the events sees the welcome return of Chetham's Symphony Orchestra to the Westmorland Hall at Lakes Leisure Kendal on Thursday 7 July, starting at 7.30pm. The group, from the internationally-renowned Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, has a reputation for being one of the finest young orchestras in the world.
The event has been made possible thanks to partnership with the school and sponsorship from international engineering firm Gilkes. Charles Crewdson, Chairman of the Kendal-based company, says: "I am delighted that that Gilkes can contribute to this important event. Our theme is to ensure local children get as much extracurricular development as possible. Investing in our local and extremely talented youth is the top priority for the Company."
Their concert in partnership with Lake District Summer Music brings one of the best-loved symphonies of the classical repertoire to Kendal - the 1st Symphony of Johannes Brahms. With the lyrical Berg Violin Concerto - one of his best-known and most-performed works - and Richard Strauss's Introduction to his opera Capriccio, this annual visit is a wonderful way to celebrate the talents of young musicians and look forward to the International Festival ahead.
Tickets for the concert are only £12 for adults, but are free to all South Lakeland schoolchildren thanks to the sponsorship deal with Gilkes.
LDSM already has a reputation for being the "widest spread music festival in the UK". The weekend following the Chetham's Symphony Orchestra concert sees LDSM moving outside the confines of the traditional concert hall as they host the world premiere tour of 'Organ of Corti', winner of PRS for Music Foundation's 'New Music Award'.
Taking its name from the organ of hearing in the inner ear the four-metre high, visually transparent sonic crystal is at the cutting edge of both science and arts. Organ of Corti allows you to become both composer and audience as you step inside and move around this pioneering, experimental instrument. Inspiring you to explore new ways of listening by re-engaging with the sonic world around you, Organ of Corti compels you to ask, "What defines a piece of music?"
Imagined and built by liminal, comprising architect Frances Crow and sound artist and composer David Prior, the installation is being brought to Cumbria on Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 July through a partnership with PRS for Music Foundation, LDSM, VistaProjects, Friends of the Lake District and Westmorland Services Ltd.
Overlooking the Tebay Gorge, Organ of Corti recycles the sounds of the award-winning stretch of M6 motorway which is destined to become the new interface between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Attendance is free, but must be booked in advance through Lake District Summer Music as access to the site is limited. A Park & Ride scheme will be in operation over the weekend. Coaches depart every 30 minutes and audiences will spend about 45 minutes at the installation.
The Friends of the Lake District are supporting a 'sound walk' with 'liminal' into the adjacent Borrowdale Valley on Saturday 9 July at 10:00am. The half day event is open to anyone but places are limited. This is an opportunity to meet the artists and to consider the soundscapes of the Tebay Gorge and Borrowdale Valley from a landscape conservation perspective.
A special visit to Organ of Corti for schools in South Lakeland and Eden is also planned for Monday 11 July. For further details of how to attend either the sounds walk or schools event, please contact Christian Barnes on 07584 251448 or Christian@vistaprojects.co.uk
LDSM Founder & Artistic Director, Renna Kellaway MBE, says: "Heralding the advent of our annual festival we have two exciting preludes. The generous support by Gilbert, Gilkes & Gordon for the Chetham's Symphony Orchestra is a cause for real celebration which is the true spirit of all festivals. The Symphony Orchestra brings to LDSM their end of year closing concert in a rich, varied and demanding programme. With their talent, exuberant energy and enthusiasm, the young musicians of Chetham's leave us in eager anticipation for the opening of exciting festival days ahead.
But don't overlook the experience of new sounds when science and music meet overlooking the Tebay Gorge. LDSM is indebted to liminal, PRS for Music Foundation, and our other partners, for making this remarkable project possible."
The July events are a special prelude to Lake District Summer Music's International Festival which runs from 29 July - 14 August. Highlights include Vivaldi's Four Seasons, a special 40th birthday series of concerts by the Chilingirian Quartet, a performance of Brahms's German Requiem by LDSM's Festival Chorus conducted by Professor Denis McCaldin, world premieres of works by Sally Beamish and Philip Cooke, plus festival appearances by leading international musicians and ensembles such as soprano Joan Rodgers, cellist Robert Cohen, pianist Steven Osborne, vocal ensemble The Clerks, and much much more.
Full details and online booking are available on LDSM's new website at www.ldsm.org.uk and copy of the Festival Diary can also be obtained by calling the LDSM Box Office at Stricklandgate House in Kendal on 08456 44 21 44.
