Countdown to 2007 Lake District Summer Music Festival Begins
Thursday, 12 July 2007
The countdown is underway for the 2007 Lake District Summer Music Festival, taking place over 17 days between August 3-19, in some of the most stunning settings imaginable and available to musicians from across the globe.
Ticket sales for the Festival, which has an ethos of offering thrilling concerts in inspiring settings, are up 40 per cent on last year, thanks to the continuing quality and reputation of both the Festival and its performers. The calibre of the musicians arriving in Cumbria, for this year’s Festival is undisputed, comprising some of the hottest names in the world of classical music, as well as rising stars.
The 2007's Festival theme of Early Music has inspired performers to create programmes that not only accentuate their own virtuosity, but which also engage the audience and convert more people to the genre of classical music.
Fittingly, an important venue, the charming Church of St Mary’s, in Ambleside, has choir stall carvings depicting 14 Northern saints known for converting ancient Britons to Christianity. As it swings open its doors to welcome performers including The Royal Quartet, acclaimed pianists Steven Osborne and Arnaldo Cohen, swashbuckling Red Priest, Patrick Demenga, Morgan Szymanski, Garfield Jackson and the exciting Škampa Quartet, the massive wow factor should allow classical music to win even more hearts and minds.
An international flavour pervades a Festival comprising 54 events, performed against a canvas of shimmering lakes and rugged fells, awe-inspiring light and shade and quintessentially English, rural towns and villages. With performers from India, Japan, Brazil, Eastern Europe, to name but a few, the cream of international and British classical music talent will be on show at the LDSM Festival.
Rather than appearing in grand concert venues, the performances will, as always, be given in grass-roots establishments – churches, parish buildings and town halls and, occasionally, a theatre. The acoustic advantages, not to mention the impact on the atmosphere, is unsurpassed, making this Festival one of the favourite stops on the schedule of many classical musicians.
The Festival will provide the platform for the World Premiere of Red Priest’s new Bach programme, Johann, I’m Only Dancing, as this flamboyant ensemble continue to put the rock into Baroque and explode the myth that classical music is for fuddy-duddies and men in grey suits.
Leading actor, Timothy West, will be making his first appearance at the Festival, reading from the spicy memoirs of the infamous Casanova, to the accompaniment of the harpsichord. This will be played by the talented Sophie Yates, covering a repertoire of works by Vivaldi, Couperin, Rameau and Handel - music from Casanova's era. This not-to-be-missed event, staged on beautiful Derwentwater, within the Theatre by the Lake, is selling fast.
Highly acclaimed vocal group, The Sixteen, will be conducted by Eamonn Dougann, making his debut in this role. The 2007 Festival is also providing the vehicle for collaborations. The Royal and Škampa Quartets will combine in a performance of a programme that includes Mendelssohn’s Octet, as well as works by Mozart and Janacek, to bring audiences an insight into the very best Eastern European classical music talent.
The Škampa will also collaborate with viola player, Garfield Jackson, and cellist, Patrick Demenga, in one of Brahm’s greatest chamber music works, whilst leading British quartet, The Chilingrian, will be joined by Garfield Jackson and cello player, Alasdair Tait, in Dvorak’s wonderful sextet.
New names such as Mark Simpson, the 2006 BBC Young Musician of the Year, and those studying at this year’s Lake District Summer Music International Summer School, will be injecting a verve and energy into the event so often lacking at Festivals at which only established musicians play.
This year’s LDSM International Summer School graduates will follow in the footsteps of previous LDSM alumni, including artists such as Nicola Benedetti, Nikolaj Znaider, The Belcea Quartet and, in fact, every string winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year contest over the past 15 years.
Some are coming back to perform at the 2007 Festival, including pianists, Carole Presland and Steven Osborne, and Kate Gould, cellist of The Leopold String Quartet. All of these artists used the LDSM International Summer School experience to help them get their foot on the first rung of a professional career and are testimony to the calibre of students at the LDSM school.
The Young String Venture will also be able to demonstrate the results of hard work over the course of a week of intense tuition and encouragement in the Lake District, by showcasing their talent in both solos and ensemble performances that help give the Festival its unique personality and feel.
With 54 events to choose from, there is something to appeal to everyone’s ear, whether their passion is the violin, organ, trumpet, guitar, or sitar. Visitors will also delight in the visual excellence of the performances, which include drama, movement, film, colourful story-telling and even trapeze! A touch of Bollywood will also be available thanks to an evening of Asian music, performed by the talented Tarang ensemble.
With venues in locations from Rydal and Windermere in the South Lakes, to Keswick, Penrith and Carlisle in Western and Northern Cumbria, there is an abundance of choice, with every setting offering a glorious vista and insight into the beautiful Cumbrian landscape and the culture of the county.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the events on offer can visit the festival programme pages or contact the box office on 08456 442144. Tickets can be bought online, or over the phone, and vary in price. Festival Saver options apply for anyone wishing to book four, eight or twelve concerts at the same time, from the box office, or via the LDSM Festival Diary booklet only.
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