Justin Lee didn’t grow up in a particularly musical family but an early habit of singing on the loo led to singing in the local church choir, studying music at university, and spending nearly 19 years in the orchestra sector working variously with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music and the Southbank Sinfonia. When he took over as director of the Cambridge Music Festival in 2012, he had two aims in mind: to bring musicians of the highest calibre to Cambridge, and to programme a festival that does unusual things.
Cambridge Music Festival is back, with four concerts this June (2021). The line-up for the hour-long events at West Road Concert Hall features the Festival's trademark diverse programming and celebration of talented young artists.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason shot to fame after performing at Harry and Meghan's wedding. He features as soloist in Dvorak's Cello Concerto with the London Mozart Players (5 June) and alongside his equally talented pianist sister Isata in a recital of Rachmaninov, Bridge and Britten (28 June).
The celebrated Chineke! ensemble return to CMF on 21 June with Schubert's Trout Quintet and works by Florence Price.
The 12 Ensemble (pictured) – described as having "spunk, originality and class" by The Strad – combines Shostakovich with Dowland, Caroline Shaw and Thomas Ades in their concert on 25 June.
Matinee and evening performances plus a £8 ticket for under 18s will appeal to a broad audience; whilst a Covid-safe environment and ticket refund promise will give ticket-holders confidence to book for this mini 'pop-up' version of the annual Festival.
Justin describes himself as a relatively well-informed enthusiast, not a musical authority. What he wants to share is his passion for live music, how it makes you feel, whether it’s beautiful, moving or even disturbing. It’s not an academic exercise – music is visceral. The festival programme, and the musicians performing in it, truly reflect that vision.
Further information and bookings :https://cambridgemusicfestival.co.uk/
NB: West Road Concert Hall has strict measures in place for holding concerts in a Covid-secure way and the festival organisers will follow these measures for June events even if government guidelines are further relaxed.
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