festival focusmagazine of the newbury spring festival

no 29 autumn 2014

• BBC Symphony Orchestra Festival debut

• The Sheepdrove Piano Competition• 2015 Festival Preview

Reflecting on our 2014 Festival, which included a number of events to mark the centenary of the outbreak of The Great War, I was touched by the reaction of many of those who attended. The symposium by four of this country’s leading military historians, which was sponsored by The Friends, was both enlightening and thought provoking, and the impact of the concert by the English Chamber Orchestra is captured by this year’s Young Festival Critics winner. Turn to page 6 to read the evocative review written by 18-year-old James Chater.

Looking ahead now to 2015 I know Mark Eynon is enjoying bringing together the final pieces of his programme with a world class line up of orchestras, soloists and ensembles. A preview on the centre pages will whet your appetite!

There have been changes to the Festival team this year. In August we were sad to say farewell to Zoë Seenan who left to take up a new role, but were delighted to welcome Ashley Morris to pick up the baton of General Manager. We wish them both every success in their new positions.

Thank you, as ever, for your continuing support which allows the Festival to plan ahead with confidence and I very much look forward to seeing you again next Spring.

Jeanie, Countess of Carnarvon MBE – President

festival focus autumn 2014

welcome

Front cover: Ruby Hughes, the radiant young soprano, returns in recital with pianist Joseph Middleton. Ruby gave a stunning performance in the 2014 opening concert when she appeared with the English Chamber Orchestra and NSF Chorus and the Festival is delighted to welcome her back.© Sim Canetty Clarke

Pat’s involvement with the Festival goes back some 30 years when she started to build on a germ of an idea to launch a scheme to promote the work of local artists. From small beginnings in its inaugural year in 1988 Open Studios West Berkshire and North Hampshire has grown and flourished under Pat’s Chairmanship and now over 100 participants are included in its annual Directory of Artists and the flagship exhibition at New Greenham Arts. The Friends of Newbury Spring Festival support the Open Studios scheme with an annual grant and full details of the participating artists are printed in the Festival’s Souvenir Programme.

To quote Pat’s own words from our 2014 Festival Guide “Music and the visual arts combine to enhance our lives in May”.

Pat will be sadly missed, she was a remarkable woman whose commitment to both the local community and the arts in so many ways was recognised in 1998 with an MBE.

Pat Eastop MBE

We were all saddended to hear of the death of Pat Eastop in September.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Welcome to another edition of Festival Focus which comes to you with a huge thank you for all your invaluable support.

It also tells you of next year’s draft programme so get your diaries out and mark the important dates! Tenebrae are turning to Douai Abbey which will certainly be top of my list for 2015!

2014 provided time for reflection on the outbreak of war in 1914, starting with a moving performance of the Mozart Requiem with the amazing Ruby Hughes as soloist. The debates on the causes of war were fascinating and taught me much. It also included a wonderful academic put-down – if anyone can remember the exact words, please let me know and I will quote them in the next Newsletter! On the subject of WW1, the Watermill’s production of Journey’s End was brilliantly staged and acted and emphasised how young the soldiers were (as they still are, of course, today).

We are so lucky that in a relatively small town there is such a thriving cultural life of which the Newbury Spring Festival is a large part.

Thank you goes to Jane Pickering once again for all her hard work behind the scenes.

I look forward to seeing you at next year’s Festival. In the meantime, Happy Christmas!

a word from caroline holbrookchairman of the friends of newbury spring festival

© Newbury Weekly News

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moving in“I have been involved in music from an early age, singing in the local church choir, and many different groups and orchestras while at school. From school I went on to do a music degree at St. John’s College, Durham University. Highlights of my time at Durham included conducting the college choir and University Chamber Orchestra, whilst also finding time to join the college rowing club.

From university I embarked on a career in arts administration. I began work at the Musician’s Answering Service before working for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I was lucky enough to work on many projects with the orchestra from concerts to recording the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. I travelled widely with the orchestra on tour, from Carl Davis conducting in Eastbourne to the USA with Sarah Chang, and performing for New Year in Beijing.

More recently I’ve been working for the International Artist Managers’ Association – the trade association for Artist Managers. That work has given me insight to another side of the music business and the challenges faced by artist managers – which are as diverse as double taxation agreements to getting instruments on aircraft!

Working with a festival will be a new experience for me and I’m very much looking forward to the challenge. I’m particularly looking forward to getting more involved in live music once again. I’m delighted to be joining a festival with such a strong reputation as the Newbury Spring Festival and am very much looking forward to getting to meet everyone who works with, and supports, the festival.

Outside work I have a few different hobbies, including digital photography, hill walking and Volkswagen campervans. Although I seem to have less time for hobbies since the arrival of our daughter 6 months ago! My wife Claire and I are looking forward to a new family life together in Newbury.”

Ashley Morris, the Festival’s new General Manager

Dear Festival Friends

As some of you already know, I left the Festival at the end of August after 11 happy years here.

I joined in October 2003 as Marketing Manager and in 2007 I moved upstairs to take over as Festival Manager. I have been supported over the past 7 years by a wonderful team of people who work hard to bring this brilliant Festival to life each May.

Over the years I have experienced many memorable concerts and met fascinating and eminent people. Notable encounters include the regal Patricia Routledge, Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, John Lill, whose legendary status was matched by his charm and kindness, and the irascible Jeremy Paxman, who did not disappoint!

I have so many people to thank for making Newbury Spring Festival such a success, not least the ever-growing band of sponsors and supporters without whom it simply wouldn’t exist. Add to that the loyal team of volunteers and all those who give so freely of their time and the result is a Festival that is a jewel in Newbury’s crown.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, and the Festival, over the years and I hope you will extend your support to Ashley as he takes up his new role. With such a great team, I know the Festival is in good hands and wish it every success now and in the future

Zoë Seenan

moving on

© Antonia Schroeder

© Newbury Weekly News

St Nicolas Church

2015 preview

Sat 9th Sat 16thWarsaw Philharmonic Orchestra Newbury Spring Festival ChorusJacek Kaspszyk conductor Claire Maghnagi soprano Hannah Pedley mezzo Andrew Rees tenor Paul Carew Jones baritone

Schubert Symphony No 3 in D major

Beethoven Symphony No 9 in D minor Choral

BBC Symphony OrchestraEdward Gardner conductor Valeriy Sokolov violin

Wagner Overture, Tannhäuser

Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor Op 47

Elgar Symphony No 1 in A flat major Op 55

Sat 23rdPhilharmonia OrchestraMartyn Brabbins conductor Dinara Klinton piano

Vaughan Overture, The Wasps Williams

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 3 in D minor Op 30

Vaughan Symphony No 5 Williams in D major

Corn Exchange Outreach

Sun10th

Mon11th

Tue12th

Sat9th

Pasadena Roof Orchestra '20s, '30s and '40s early swing and hot jazz classics

Tippet Quartet Hitchcock, Hollywood & Herrmann Featuring Herrmann’s iconic Psycho SuiteFilm: Psycho Alfred Hitchcock’s powerful psychological thriller

Young Artists’ Lunchtime Recital 1

CrossHarbour A dynamic new band emerging from London’s thriving traditional Irish music scene

Young Artists’ Lunchtime Recital 2The Imperfect Pearl Musical play of 17C Italian composer Zipoli’s journey from Rome to the rainforests of South America

Sound Beginnings Cinderella Concert for babies and young children Sheepdrove Eco Centre, LambournHyeyoon Park violin Huw Watkins piano Outstanding duo perform World Première of Mark Bowden’s Five Memos and works by Schumann, Korngold and Franck Kintbury

Daniel Mulhall, The Ambassador of Ireland Marking the 150th Anniversary of the birth of WB Yeats, Mr Mulhall talks about the great Irish poet Shaw HouseClassical Opera Company New production exploring the colourful life and career of John Beard, Handel’s favourite tenor, with rising star Allan Clayton Hungerford

Mahan Esfahani harpsichord Adam Walker flute The thrilling harpsichordist and dazzling young flautist play French baroque Highclere Castle

Voces8 Multi-award winning a capella octet back by popular demand in a new programme East Woodhay

Wed13th

Ballet Central The return of this brilliant young company in their latest programme of ballet, contemporary, jazz and narrative dance

Edward Seckerson In conversation with a star from the world of musical theatre SydmontonCalefax Reed Quintet The world’s finest wind ensemble breathe new life into the music of Schumann, Corelli and Rameau Wash Common

Thu14th

A brief preview on these pages underlines the quality and diversity of our international Festival – look out for full details of the complete programme in your Festival Guide early next year.

Fri15th

Sat16th

Sun17th

Mon18th

Tue19th

Wed20th

Thu21st

Fri22nd

Sat23rd

Please note these are draft programme details and may be subject to change

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Corn Exchange Outreach

Young Artists’ Lunchtime Recital 3Claire Martin’s Hollywood Romance One of our finest jazz vocalists joins Matt Skelton’s hand-picked band in music from the ‘50s and the Great American Songbook

The Sheepdrove Recital Recital by distinguished Russian pianist Mikhail Kazakevich Sheepdrove Eco Centre, LambournTenebrae Musica Dei Dominum Nigel Short’s outstanding choral ensemble perform some of the most beautiful choral works from the Renaissance to the modern day Douai Abbey

Masterclass with Julian Joseph Julian Joseph Trio The world-class jazz pianist, Julian Joseph, is the undisputed heir to the global house of jazz

Gilbert & Sullivan Charles Court Opera make a welcome return with a performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera Ruddigore, accompanied by the Eaton-Young Piano Duo

Sheepdrove Piano Competition Final Sheepdrove Eco Centre, LambournEndellion String Quartet Known worldwide for their remarkable rapport, one of this country’s senior quartets perform Mozart, Sibelius and Ravel Shaw

Young Artists’ Lunchtime Recital 4 Recital by the prize winner of the Sheepdrove Piano Competition

Gary Williams presents Sinatra at 100 The star of the West End’s ‘Rat Pack’ pays homage to the great man in his centenary year The Vineyard

Film: Vertigo Regarded as Hitchcock’s finest film with Herrmann’s greatest score, an intricate web of obsession and deceit

Festival Talk tbc Englefield HouseGoldberg Ensemble Leading Polish baroque ensemble include Handel’s Organ Concerti to celebrate the refurbishment of Ramsbury’s church organ Ramsbury

Young Artists’ Lunchtime Recital 5Peter Donohoe piano One of the foremost pianists of our time plays Ravel, Rachmaninov and Scriabin

Joe Stilgoe Pianist / singer / entertainer Joe Stilgoe, star of the Edinburgh Festival, pays tribute to 100 years of Hollywood cinema film music Donnington Priory

Concert Theatre The integration of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring for two pianists with Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet expressed through half masks, physical theatre and music

Festival Talk tbcRuby Hughes soprano Joseph Middleton piano Following her enormous success at the 2014 opening concert, one of Britain’s brightest young sopranos returns in recital with Joseph Middleton Englefield House

Young Artists’ Lunchtime Recital 6The Ronnie Scott’s Story James Pearson, Artistic Director of Ronnie Scott’s, presents the story of the Soho jazz legend with music of the era performed by the club’s resident band

Ex Cathedra In A Strange Land Jeffrey Skidmore’s celebrated choral company perform emotionally charged music from Latin America and Europe Douai AbbeyEvent tbc Audley Inglewood

Kit & McConnel Legendary cabaret artiste Kit Hesketh-Harvey and pianist James McConnel with their unique blend of wit and sophistication

A brief preview on these pages underlines the quality and diversity of our international Festival – look out for full details of the complete programme in your Festival Guide early next year.

festival focus autumn 2014

theme of war“The 2014 season of the Newbury Spring Festival began with a remarkable concert by the English Chamber Orchestra and the Festival’s Chorus. The concert fittingly took place in St Nicolas Church, in the heart of Newbury, a church adorned with the plaques of fallen soldiers, family and friends; a subtle reminder of the evening’s theme, World War I. In terms of this theme, the programme for the concert was its greatest asset.

All the works of the first half had an air of serenity, but similarly, a latent emotional intensity; an intensity fully realised in the drama and fervour of Mozart’s Requiem. The choir relished in performing this work, and kept the audience gripped, particularly in the stirring opening three movements. The orchestra had a rich and homogenous sonority; the leader, Stephanie Gonley, was outstanding. All four of the soloists were poised and assured, delivering beautiful and intelligent performances. Underpinning all of this, however, was the orchestra’s conductor, Stephen Barlow. He led with a quiet and understated authority, where no movement was extraneous. As the

The Sheepdrove Piano Competition was founded in 2009 by Festival Director Mark Eynon in association with Peter and Juliet Kindersley of The Sheepdrove Trust, under the patronage of Sir Roger Norrington.

The competition is open to candidates aged 26 and under from the 8 major UK music colleges. The Sheepdrove Eco Centre in Lambourn is the perfect setting for this inspiring competition which takes place over the middle weekend of the Festival. Tickets are available for the Final on the Sunday, a wonderful way to spend an afternoon listening to young pianists of the highest standard from around the world, and the opportunity to also cast your vote for your favourite artist to receive the Audience Prize. The Friends have supported this competition since its inception by donating the 3rd Prize of £500.

This year’s competition and Kindersley Prize of £2,000 donated by The Sheepdrove Trust was won by Chinese pianist Qiaojing Dai from Trinity Laban Conservatoire. In 2010 the competition was won by Ji Liu who has gone on to win many more awards, played on some of the world's most famous stages and appeared at many international festivals. In February this year Ji Liu’s outstanding debut album Piano Reflections immediately went to No.1 Classical Album on the Official UK Chart after its first week of release.

the keys to success

The Festival is delighted that last year’s winner, Russian pianist Dinara Klinton (above) from the Royal College of Music, will make her debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra in St Nicolas Church on the last night of next year’s Festival, and at the invitation of Mark Eynon and David Whelton, (the Managing Director of the Philharmonia and one of the Sheepdrove Piano Competition judges) will perform Rachmaninov’s monumental Piano Concerto No 3.

We are also delighted to announce that John Lill, the leading British pianist of his generation and former winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition who brought our 2014 Festival to such a stunning conclusion, will be joining the Jury. Make a date in your diary now for next year’s Sheepdrove Piano Competition Final on Sunday 17 May, and be astonished by the calibre of the finalists as they compete for your and the judges’ votes.

final chord came to a thunderous conclusion, he became the focus, as the audience were left in an absolute silence which lasted some ten seconds, waiting for the conductor to finally relax, and the work to end. Silences of that length at the end of a concert are rare, but in those ten seconds of complete quiet, ironically, the theme of war was encapsulated.”

James Chater, 18Winner of the 2014 Young Festival Critics

The Festival would like to extend its thanks to Greenham Common Trust for funding the Young Festival Critics scheme.

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education and community The Festival’s annual education programme offers an excellent opportunity for local school children to experience live music, dance and drama. Lunchtime recitals and special afternoon performances at the Corn Exchange, together with tailored workshops presented at a number of schools, benefit some 1,600 children every year. Taking music out into the community in 2014 has included the second year of the Festival’s Music in Care Homes scheme with recitals by Eleanor Turner harp and Lisa Nelson flute proving very popular with the residents at the seven centres they visited.

“The Fugata Quintet was fantastic. Thank you so much for the invite.” Theale Green School

“YolanDa was fantastic with the students and it was such an opportunity for them all! We loved the way the workshop worked rather than the formal Masterclass format which we have done previously.” Tracey Oldman, Berkshire Maestros

“The 30 pupils that attended the VOCES8 Workshop absolutely loved their wonderful opportunity to sing and develop their vocal skills. They have all gained so much more confidence in their own abilities as singers in our choir now, thanks to the experience.” Tracey Brennecke, Director of Music, The Clere School

“The children were entranced by Ballet Central and the Q&A with 'real' dancers was really useful.” Linden Ellicott School of Dancing

“Please congratulate Unexpected Opera on their ability to make the children feel like part of the show” St Nicolas School

“It made me feel warm and happy inside after listening to Ellie and Lisa playing. I wish they could come again!” Jess aged 9, Aldermaston Primary School

Mrs Edna Thorogood, a resident of Willows Edge Care Home,

with harpist Eleanor Turner

“Our children very much enjoyed all of the concerts and workshops they had the opportunity to attend

and this is much appreciated. Thanks very much again for all of your hard work, for the generous allocation of tickets and to all the

sponsors who keep supporting this wonderful initiative.”

Heidi Davies, Assistant Head teacher, St Nicolas Junior School

“Would you, on my behalf, please thank the sponsors for making the access for children possible to all the events over the fortnight. Without this sponsorship our children would be unable to peep into the world of the professional performer. For some of them, these opportunities might be life changing, leading them to greater commitment to their school work or hobbies; but also, having observed so many young performers, showing them that all things can be possible.” Mrs Jane Obin, Inkpen Primary School

The 2014 Education and Community programme was generously funded by Greenham Common Trust and The Headley Trust with additional support from Gordon Palmer Trust, Lionel Wigram Charitable Trust, Rivar Ltd and West Berkshire Council

Festival Focus is compiled and edited by Devina CameronPublished by the Friends of Newbury Spring Festival1 Bridge Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5BH Tel 01635 32421 www.newburyspringfestival.org.ukRegistered Charity No 1010030

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