Brilliant Musicians, Great Performances!
Free concerts and extra performances mean that there is even more chance for local people to enjoy the classical Southwell Music Festival taking place over the August Bank Holiday (22nd to 27th August).
Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth says: “We created the Festival to give people the chance to enjoy classical music performed to the highest professional standard and to raise the profile of Southwell itself.
“The Festival is organised by local volunteers but performances are given by some of the best professional singers and players from across the UK and further afield: more than 80 will visit this year.”
This will be the fifth annual festival and it has now acquired a national reputation, being included in The Sunday Times’ top ten ‘Hot Tickets for 2018’ alongside some of the UK’s leading performers and musical institutions.
The 2018 programme includes an informal Family Concert suitable for children of primary age which will introduce Vivaldi’s popular Four Seasons violin concertos. Tickets for people aged 12 and under are free.
Following his sell-out solo recital last year and now famous performance at the recent Royal Wedding, the brilliant Sheku Kanneh-Mason will be playing Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Tippett’s A Child of Our Time.
There is also a special performance of Bach’s B minor Mass, an Armistice commemoration concert, and recitals by two highly-regarded Nottingham pianists – Konya Kanneh-Mason and Clare Hammond.
Some people feel that so-called classical music is not for them so we encourage them to give it a try: our small venues such as the Old Theatre Deli and State Chamber are great places to see top musicians in action at close quarters.
In addition nearly half the events are free including a Friday lunchtime recital in the Minster, the Saturday morning masterclass, Monday’s organ recital and informal choral concert, and five fringe concerts around the town.
Marcus continued: “The Chief Music Critic of The Sunday Times Hugh Canning described the Southwell Music Festival as ‘ a community event of an astoundingly high standard’ and we could not present the Festival without the generous support of sponsors, Friends, hosts and volunteers to whom the organisers are most grateful.”
Full details can be found at www.southwellmusicfestival.com or in the printed brochure. Tickets can be obtained online via the website or at the Cathedral shop, Church street.
Photo © Nick Rutter