Welcome to Festival 2013.
Celebrating music written during and after World War II our Festival reflects the new era which awoke in the late 20th century, when social orders changed, cultures merged, scientific advances produced new sounds and journey distances shrank. It brought freedom of speech and expression in its wake.
No one made it more his own than Britten whose centenary falls this year. Solo works, ensemble pieces and the relay of ‘Billy Budd’ from Glyndebourne at Fellinis bring Britten to the centre of the Festival. Works by his contemporary Tippett and the younger generation of James MacMillan, Michael Berkeley, John Casken, Ed Hughes, and Sally Beamish, express the new age as it crosses from the 20th to 21st century.
‘Beethoven at 40’ explores his solos, duos, trios and quartets written towards and around 1810. Follow this Festival thread with the Chilingirian and Henschel quartets and our distinguished soloists. We welcome the return of Trio di Parma, playing the Archduke Trio and also bringing their newly-commissioned ‘Trio’ by Italy’s leading young composer Silvia Colasanti. The acclaimed cellist Ursula Smith , at LDSM for the first time, not only plays Britten and Beethoven, but also her newly-commissioned piece by Sally Beamish.
Ex Cathedra’s beautifully designed programme opens the Festival in the 16th-century Bourbon Court and travels effortlessly to the 20th with Britten and MacMillan. With Re:Sound di and the new of Judith Weir intertwined in a dramatic Music Theatre production. The virtuoso percussion ensemble 4-MALITY thrill all with breathtaking rhythm and sound.
Profound and moving, Schubert and Brahms emerge as Festival favourites. We also look forward to the light and entertaining Counterpoise, welcome Margaret Phillips to both organs in Kendal Parish Church, and celebrate Dowland’s 450th anniversary with Fretwork and lutenist Elizabeth Kenny.
Bringing the Festival to an end Manchester Camerata, with Isabelle van Keulen, give us chamber music at its peak of creative inspiration… Britten, Wagner and Schubert.
We are deeply indebted to all our artists who engage so generously in Festival ideas, teach and coach our Academy Artists and above all perform exacting programmes.
Enjoy the days ahead and please join us in making music for all.
We look forward to welcoming you, your friends and families.
Renna Kellaway MBE,
Founder & Artistic Director
