Other Links
Editorial Board
-
Editor - Bill Kenny
-
Deputy Editor - Bob Briggs
Founder - Len Mullenger
Google Site Search
SEEN AND HEARD UK FESTIVAL PREVIEW
East Neuk Festival 2009:
Recognition and Reputation (BK)
Scotland's East Neuk Festival celebrates its fifth birthday in 2009 (1st-5th
July) with another inspired programme of classical music dominated by
some of the greatest quintets ever written (Brahms, Mozart,
Schumann and Weber) plus newly-commissioned, electronica and world
music performed in a range of atmospheric site-specific venues.
World class artists and ensembles taking up residence in this
captivating corner of Fife include pianist Christian Zacharias,
returning to the festival for the third time, Leopold String Trio,
Doric String Quartet, Leipzig String Quartet, Scottish Chamber
Orchestra, baritone Stephan Loges, harpist Catriona McKay, oud
player Ahmed Mukhtar, lute player Jacob Heringman and the poetical
Dr Richard Holloway.
Not yet five years old, the East Neuk Festival has been
nominated for its second Royal Philharmonic Society Award in
the Concert Series and Festivals category 2009. The winners
will be announced on 12th May at the Dorchester Hotel in
London at a ceremony hosted by
BBC Radio 3 presenters Sean Rafferty
and Catherine Bott. In 2007 the Festival won the RPS Award for
Audience Development.
Further good news arrived on Festival artistic director Svend
Brown’s desk recently with continued commitment (and increased
funds) from the Scottish Arts Council. Brown acknowledges the kudos of recognition that comes with such
nominations (the Festival was also short listed last year for a
prestigious Thistle Award from Visit Scotland in acknowledgement of
its contribution to tourism in the region):
“The very best way we can secure the future of our festival is to
spread the news far and wide and bring people to the beautiful East
Neuk of Fife to enjoy its world class music and literature events.
Word of mouth is definitely the best way to do it – and award
nominations like this are a little like turbo-powered word of
mouth!"
And whilst still on the subject of awards, the East Neuk Festival is
pleased to congratulate one of its distinguished 2009 performers,
Iraqi oud player Ahmed Mukhtar who won the Alhambra Award for
Arts at the ninth Muslim News Awards for Excellence held in
London
on 31st March. The awards are given to artistic, sporting and
political high achievers in the British Muslim community. Mukhtar’s
East Neuk oud recital is on the fourth of July at
10pm in the
intimate setting of St Monan’s Church as part of the festival’s
Strings By Candlelight series.
Bill Kenny
The East Neuk Festival Web Site is
www.eastneukfestival.com
The RPS Music Awards are give for the finest live music making and
are decided by independent panels comprised of members of the
profession. Since 1989 the awards have recognised not only the
calibre of today’s classical musicians but also those who push
creative boundaries to produce work which excites and engages
audiences. The 13 individual awards honour a broad sweep of
performers, composers, programmers, writers, broadcasters and
inspirational outreach work.
www.rpsmusicawards.com