With over 40 events, we welcome and greet many artists, some of whom are appearing at LDSM for the fist time, not least the young musicians giving nine Festival Début Concerts. A veritable banquet of works from 87 different composers is spread through the programmes. Follow the rich threads in our festival tapestry which link centuries, nations and mirror the ever-evolving power of music in our civilisation. Commemorating the Peace Treaty of WW1 in 1918, we turn to composers who were inspired by the events in their own lifetimes to express peace, joy, and celebration.
With music from the 16th to 21st centuries, an overall arch of orchestral music frames the festival programme. Opening with the Northern Chamber Orchestra, Handel’s wonderfully jovial ‘Water Music’ is closely followed by Mozart’s exquisite ‘Exsultate jubilate’ with the distinguished soprano Ailish Tynan, and ends with Mozart’s vivacious Symphony No.29. 44 events later we are delighted to welcome the National Youth String Orchestra, conductor Damian Iorio, whose programme ends with Tchaikovsky’s captivating Serenade to close Festival 2018.
Commissions and Artist Collaborations expand and add repertoire choice: nota bene! LDSM’s commission to Toby Young for bassoon quintet.
Important genres, jazz, music theatre, opera, other cultures, their traditional instruments, music for film, choal concerts bring diversity and new experiences.
Soundscape colours: welcome Magnard Wind Ensemble; Simone Rebello, percussion.
Mid-festival special, Saturday 4th, In the footsteps of Beethoven brings Austria to Ambleside for the day. Colin Beeson sets the scene in 1800s Vienna when Beethoven strode its streets. Baritone Nicholas Mogg’s noon recital includes ‘An die ferne Geliebte’. Enjoy today’s matinée, Fidelio, from Zurich. A pre-concert talk explores the genius of the quartets before the Chilingirian String Quartet end the day with early, middle and late works. The Sunday midday recital given by Carole Presland and Levon Chilingirian includes the great Eb piano sonata, bagatelles and the beautiful piano and violin duo, the Spring Sonata.
LDSM is proud of its valuable partnerships forged with fellow organisations. All feature in our festival programme. Blackwell Arts & Crafts House, Bowness is our delightful venue for four concerts; in Ambleside, Fellinis Arts Cinema hosts our opera film stand from world opera houses; Zeffellis’s lively studio for jazz and lighter music.
Welcoming LDSM alumni to perform or teach is a growing pleasure. Welcoming both the Navarra Quartet and cellist brother Guy Johnston arriving with Melvyn Tan to give the penultimate recital of the festival, doubles the pleasure.
This brings our deep appreciation to our artists whose programmes illuminate Festival days, and our heartfelt thanks to our Benefactors, Patrons and wonderful volunteers, whose multiple skills are invaluable in the many diferent areas of LDSM’s activities.
We look forward to meeting you all.
Renna Kellaway MBE,
Founder & Artistic Director
