Celebrating 50 years - Harrogate International Festivals

Jack Liebeck

Harrogate International Festivals is 50 this year, and celebrating the fact with a whole range of events in the town from 1 to 31 July 2016. To mark the 50th anniversary there is a commission from composer Howard Skempton to be played by the Brodsky String Quartet, who also celebrate the anniversary with Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 11, written 50 years ago and Golijov’s Tenebrae, written 25 years ago. Sir Willard White is giving a recital with Julius Drake, as well as giving a masterclass, and there will be a BBC New Generation Showcase with Narek Hakhnazaryan (cello), Pavel Kolesnikov (piano), and Annelien Van Wauwe (clarinet) for a BBC Radio 3 broadcast. A series of lunchtime young musician showcase recitals includes baritone Benedict Nelson, the Aurora Trio, pianist Galina Averina and clarinettist Anna Hashimoto.

Other visitors include the Los Angeles-based Angel City Chorale, a multicultural ensemble, performing a new work by Grammy Award winning composer, Christopher Tin. Whilst Einstein’s Universe combines a lecture by Professor Brian Foster, with musical sketches by violinist Jack Liebeck, followed by an evening recital by Liebeck and pianist Katya Apekisheva. I Fagiolini, will present their recent recording project, Amuse-Bouche in an atmospheric Concert by Candlelight. The festival finale is the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, with violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky and conductor Libor Pesek performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

The orchestra in residence is the John Wilson Orchestra, who will perform a number of events including a tea dance. There is also the chance to have a wine tasting with Oz Clarke, pairing wine with Baroque music from the Armonico Consort. Harrogate Music Festivals’ 2016 theme is ‘Discover, Explore and Experiment’, with a number of events that will cross-over to Harrogate International Festivals literature events.

Full information from the festival website.