Justin Lee, Festival Director since 2012, is passionate that classical music does not have to be a specialist taste, and that anyone can enjoy it: “Like a fine wine, Cambridge Music Festival offers the very best vintage, but you don’t need to be an expert to know how good it tastes. We hope that everyone will find something in our rich programme to fascinate and excite them.”
Festival highlights:
- virtuoso violinist and Festival favourite Joshua Bell who returns after a sell-out concert in 2015
- the first Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic orchestra performing in King’s Chapel
- a much-loved piece of Mozart that can be rarely performed due to its weird and wonderful combination of instruments
- the harpsichord as you have never heard it before (guaranteed!) played by the global superstar of the keyboard, Mahan Esfahani.
The Festival also has global themes, taking you to Venice by way of Ghana and Senegal. And it features the very best of young, up-coming talent, including two very special Rush Hour concerts showcasing BBC New Generation artists.
Musical surprises
Think you don’t like the harpsichord? Then we bet you’ve not yet heard the award-winning Iranian performer Mahan Esfahani, whose passion for this neglected instrument shines through as he coaxes a huge range of emotions from its keys. Taking the harpsichord right up to the 21st century, he will perform the world premiere of a new piece from acclaimed South African composer Kevin Volans on Saturday 18 November, as well as some stunning work from contemporary composer Steve Reich, rarely performed by only one keyboardist, let alone on the harpsichord!
One of Mozart’s most beautiful serenades, “Gran Partita”, is hardly ever performed because of its peculiar combination of instruments – but is well known from films such as Bright Star (2009) and Amadeus (1984). Indeed Mozart’s great rival Salieri described it in the film as a piece “filled with unfulfillable longing – like hearing the voice of God”. Acclaimed clarinetist Michael Collins will be assembling the full cast for us in Trinity College Chapel on Tuesday 21 November from the cream of London’s top musicians. It is quite a sight to see two oboes, two clarinets, two basset horns, two bassoons, four horns and a double bass bring this haunting piece to life.
Chineke! is an orchestra with a difference – Europe’s new professional BAME (Black Asian & Minority Ethnic) orchestra is blazing a trail and making new converts wherever it goes. Chineke! (‘wonderful!’ in the Igbo language) sets out to change perceptions of what a classical orchestra looks like, which are on average 98% white (according to recent research by King’s College London). "I would love people to look at an orchestra of any colour and not see it as a novelty”, says Chineke!’s inspiring founder, double bassist Chi-Chi Nwanoku. Watch these vibrant musicians light up King’s College Chapel on Wednesday 22 November with a programme including pieces by Joseph Bologne (‘the black Mozart’) and Errolyn Wallen.
Global beats
The Festival is bursting at the seams with music that will transport you around the world, from Gabrieli Consort’s evocation of a 16th century Venetian Coronation (14 November), to the stunning rhythmic beats of percussion quartet Ensemble Bash, bringing Ghanaian and Senegalese arrangements to their free lunchtime concert at the Mumford Theatre (17 November).
Vibrant, youthful
The best in exciting new musical talent will also make its mark at this year’s festival. A new feature are the special Rush Hour concerts at 6pm on 16 and 21 November which feature the BBC’s New Generation artists. This is a sought-after title awarded only every two years to the most talented young musicians. And more astounding young talent will be on display at the Young Composers Network concert on 21 November, where brilliant young composers will have their works performed for the first time by professional musicians.
For the full programme and tickets go to www.cambridgemusicfestival.co.uk