Full strength!
THE Southwell Music Festival is back at full strength this year. Last year musicians and organisers performed miracles, considering the Covid restrictions. But now Southwell’s full potential can once more be unleashed.
There are no fewer than 40 events spread over six days, from August 24 to 29. And there seems to be more variety and enterprise than ever.
There are, of course, the showpiece classical events, such as Mendelssohn’s highly dramatic St Paul, the big event on the Saturday night. There is also a celebration of 150 years since the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams, as well as a celebrity recital by pianist Martin Roscoe. Opening night offers a concert which will use the minster to the full: Seven Last Words from the Cross by James Macmillan, with music for strings, including Peteris Vasks’ Lonely Angel and Serenade by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov.
There’s an organ recital from star organist Anna Lapwood, chamber music performances and Festival services (Eucharist, Evensong and Compline). All the music, in fact, that you’d expect from six days of music-making centred on the Minster. However, there’s much more than this – and some of it is quite surprising.
There’s jazz, folk music (with, among others, star Northumbrian piper Kathryn Tickell), the Carlton Male Voice Choir. And there are fringe concerts too alongside the main events.
Both early risers and night owls are catered for – and the welcoming arms of the festival also reach out to all ages. There’s a family concert inviting the youngest members of the audience to go on a musical adventure based on Ogden Nash’s poem The Tale Of Custard the Dragon.
There will be plenty of young performers, continuing the festival’s tradition of supporting the next generation of British musical talent. The Young Artist Series is back, featuring musicians from Chetham’s School of Music, the String Apprentices and the Notts Young Artists Showcase.
One of the festival’s most popular traditions returns on Bank Holiday Monday: Come and Sing. This year the theme is the Platinum Jubilee, so there should be plenty of full-throated singing of favourites such as Parry’s I Was Glad and Handel’s Zadok The Priest.
Wielding his baton at this event – and throughout the six days – will be artistic director Marcus Farnsworth, well known to Southwell audiences for his energy, ebullience and ability to get the very best from his performers.
He says: “We are so excited to welcome audiences to our festival this summer. With such a wide range of music on offer there is something for everyone in this programme. I can’t wait to experience the festival buzz again and to see the town brimming with music this August.”
■ Public booking is now open. Book at southwellmusicfestival.com/ onlinebooking, or at the box office on 01636 330014 (Monday-friday, 9am-7.30pm).