BACKSTAGE WITH…
Pianist Tim Horton
The Plush Festival, which you are guest curating this year, is renowned for its diverse programme. How do you pair the traditional and the contemporary?
I’ve made Beethoven’s cello sonatas the centrepiece of this year’s festival, because there is nothing more modern-sounding than late Beethoven, particularly when placed side-by-side with contemporary music. It opens up one’s ears and makes challenging contemporary music more accessible. Equally, we’re trying to make audiences not think of older music as comfortable – they all influenced one another and we’re exploring those influenced by Beethoven througout the festival.
You have been involved with the festival as a performer since 2000. Are you performing again this year?
I am performing in just as many concerts as I ever have been, but fortunately it’s music I know well so hopefully it shouldn’t be too taxing. I’m playing with people I know, but have only ever played with individually, so it’ll be great to bring new ideas to these pieces with a group of such exceptional musicians.
Which concerts are you particularly looking forward to?
András Schiff returning to the festival to do the second half of Bach’s Well-tempered Clavier is very exciting. He’s always been a huge influence on me, both pianistically and musically. It’s a real privilege to have him here, and is one of the rare concerts I’m not playing in! All the programmes are close to my heart, and there’s a great balance of music throughout the festival.