Corsham Festival

I have just receive the programme for the Corsham Festival. I doubt that we will be able to make any of the events, which is a shame, as they have put together a remarkable group of musical events with an emphasis on contemporary music. Quite an achievement for a small festival.

Highlights include:

The orchestra of the Swan performing Bach (Cello Suite), Britten (Cello Suit) and Paul Patterson (Cello Suite and Allusions)
Errollyn Wallen performing a selection of songs from her new song book.

The CoMA London Ensemble giving a full day workshop followed by a concert at which people are invited to join in and perform with the group. They are performing music by Michael Nyman and Stephen Montague; Montague's piece being inspired by a visit to Auschwitz.

String Fever, 3 brothers and a cousin who play electric stringed instruments

Cellist Fran Bartlett and dancer Ana Eulate collaborating on a programme which includes Petyer Sculthorpe's Requiem for Cello Alone.

Opera Minima doing their piece Rainforest

And last but not least, Sarah Leonard (soprano) and Robin Michael (cello) doing a programme including music by Elena Firsova, Harrison Birtwistle and John Tavener.

This is a wonderfully varied and challenging programme which shows the excitement and innovation are not dead. More power to their elbow