2011 Festival Reviews
Event 1 15th September 2011 Evening Concert
A Spanish and French theme punctuates Leicester’s International Music Festival weekend this year, although as the opening work demonstrated, this theme was by no means exclusive.bIn fact the concert began with three preludes by George Gershwin, the first, admittedly known as the “Spanish”! Pianists Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen duetted, dazzling with their crisp interpretation of these jazz inspired pieces.
The titles Café 1930 and Nightclub 1960 may not immediately appeal as classical pieces, but with the Tango inspiration of composer Astor Piazzola and the incredible skills of guitarist Craig Ogden and oboist Nicholas Daniel, these atmospheric and beautiful pieces more than deserved their place in this concert.
Maurice Ravel’s thoughtful Pièce en Forme de Habenera saw Apekisheva join forces with violinist Priya Mitchell; both performers producing rich and gentle tones which suited this short piece to perfection. Messiaen’s Louange a l’Eternite de Jésus was given an intense performance by Owen and cellist Natalie Clein.
The evening concluded wth Fauré’s swirling piano Quartet No.2 in G minor, which saw Mitchell, Owen and Clein joined by viola player Nathan Braude: Four musicians utterly absorbed in the emotional turbulence of this beautiful piece.
An ideal length, the concert left the listener wanting more. Music lovers can be assured of a weekend of classical music of unrivalled quality
Peter Collett Leicester Mercury
Event 2 Friday 16th September Lunchtime Concert
This superbly planned programme provided ideal lunchtime fare. Most of the items were arrangements, so there were some familiar tunes in unfamiliar guises such as the opening item: the Spanish Dances No.4, Villanesca and No.12 Arabesca by Enrique Granados.
These haunting pieces (originally for piano) were so persuasively played by guitarist Craig Ogden that they sounded as though they had always been intended for guitar. His sense of rhythm, phrasing, and subtle use of rubato were totally idiomatic.
Manuel de Falla’s Seven Spanish Folk Songs for soprano and piano, is one of his most popular and colourful works; each short song is a tiny gem of captivating rhythm and melody. It was surprisingly effective in the arrangement for oboe, violin (both of which have a suitably “singing” tone) and piano. The beautifully balanced performances from Priya Mitchell, Nicholas Daniel and Katya Apekisheva were full of expressive detail.
The programme note aptly described Astor Piazolla’s compositional style as “moody lyricism” and this was certainly true of his brief and brooding Oblivion, written for the film Enrico 1V and exquisitely realised here in Dominic Kelly’s arrangement for viola oboe and piano.
Turina’s Piano Trio No.2 in B minor provided the delectable finale. This charming, unpretentious work is a delight from beginning to end. It flows with attractive melody and is seasoned with lush and sometimes piquant harmonies. The performance was characteristically committed and warm-hearted with the players: Priya Mitchell, Natalie Clein and Charles Owen sounding as if they played it every day.
Neil Crutchley Leicester Mercury
Event 3 Friday 16th September Evening Concert
Three relatively substantial pieces formed the backbone of this third festival concert: Debussy’s Rhapsodie for cor anglais and piano, Ravel’s Sonata for violin and piano and Turina’s Piano Quartet Op. 67.
The Debussy is a transcription of his Rhapsodie for saxophone and orchestra. It’s a rather diffuse piece, but typically inventive nonetheless and the performance was, as expected, sensitive and totally idiomatic, Daniel’s sinuous, expressive playing was a delight and Charles Owen (piano) worked wonders in imitating the colour and shimmer of the orchestral textures.
Ravel’s Sonata for violin and cello is an uncharacteristically brittle and edgy work emphasising counterpoint and melody rather than harmony. Its spare, contrapuntal textures give a strong a feeling of line and space between the instruments. It had an almost hypnotic effect in the hands of Priya Mitchell (violin) and Natalie Clein (cello) who combined masterly playing with exemplary balance.
Turina’s quartet, written in 1933, is equally uncharacteristic of this sunny composer; being rather dark and intense, with a feeling of looking backwards to Cesar Franck and late19th century Paris in its cyclical form and rich harmonies. It was given a fervent, passionate performance by Priya Mitchell, Nathan Braude, Natalie Clein and Katya Apekisheva.
These pieces were punctuated by Craig Ogden’s impeccable account of Sevilla and Asturias by Albeniz and Four delicious Classic Spanish Songs by Obrados, lovingly played by Nicholas Daniel and Katya Apekisheva and Rodrigo’s Sonatina for Two Dolls in a lively reading by Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen.
Neil Crutchley Leicester Mercury
Event 4 Saturday 17th September 2011 Morning Coffee Concert
Situated in the lovely art gallery room, the concert began with Bach's Trio Sonata no. 3 for Oboe, Cello, Harpsichord and Viola. The steady opening movement was a joy, the passion of the piece very effectively demonstrated by each musician as was the case throughout the concert. The second movement adagio, was thus slower, almost serene in character which was later used by Bach in his A Minor concerto for flute, violin, harpsichord and strings. The last section was faster with some complex passages to behold.
The Spanish and French theme of the festival then continued. Saint Saens' Fantasie in four parts, began with a gentle then dark melody on the violin, Priya Mitchell's interpretation wonderfully intense with Lucy Wakeford (harp) equally attentive. This theme returned at the end after two bright and more cheerful inner sections were played. Rodrigo's Impromptu for Harp which followed was delightful and full of contrasts with brilliant glissandos featured at various points.
The highlight of the morning, difficult to decide, was Pablo de Sarasate's demanding and glittering Navarra for two virtuoso violins and piano. Very fast moving throughout to its dramatic end, with some delicate inner passages and following the rhythms of the dance jota, both violins playing the same music, this required perfection which was exactly what the audience witnessed. The relief by the violinists at its conclusion was clear to see!
Showcasing some of the best talent within classical music, this was excellent in its entirety, a truly enriching experience.
Qyan Arnachellum Leicester Mercury
Event 7 Saturday 17th September 2011 Evening Concert
One of the joys of this festival is the construction of the concerts, seemingly unlikely combinations of works which coalesce into an inspired whole.
Praise be to the superb choices of the director Nicholas Daniel.
In the first half the chordal instrument was Maggie Cole's harpsichord, in the second the harp of Lucy Wakeford.
Each half ended with what was in effect a chamber concerto. The flute of Emer McDonough and the clarinets of Joy Farrall were also added to the mix.
The concert was conjured into life: Debussy's Syrinx for solo flute, echoing hauntingly from a distant gallery.
Next, two works for oboe and harpsichord: Couperin, and Ranki who pictured Spain's most famous fictional characters Don Quijote y Dulcinea.
Two Spanish Dances by Granados on the harp, and then Satie's three hieratic Gymnopédies performed on harp and – a movement apiece – flute, clarinet and oboe.
The concert concluded with a ravishing performance, perhaps the masterpiece of the entire festival, of Ravel's Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet.
Malcolm Warner Leicester Mercury
Event 8 Sunday 18th September 2011 Family Concert
Crash, Bang, Wallop! O Duo Percussionists
An audience mainly consisting of young families were greeted by an array of percussion instruments including drums, cymbals, two marimbas and a vibraphone, as virtuoso percussionists Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox presented a fun, family concert as part of the Leicester International Music Festival.
O Duo know how to put on a show – an opening fanfare; Bongo Fury simply took over from the applause and utilised the floor as percussion as well as the bongos and cymbals. They immediately built up a lively rapport, testing the audience’ rhythmic ability and introducing two huge marimbas with a short piece by Albéniz.
Questions to the enthusiastic audience introduced the vibraphone and Dave Brubeck’s Take 5, with three young volunteers on stage playing tambourine, cowbell and bongos in a mesmerising rendition. Monti’s Csárdás introduced the glockenspiel and was followed by a developing rhythmic composition involving eight willing volunteers playing marimba and vibraphone. Introduction of the West African Djembe drum demonstrated considerable audience knowledge before a frenetic Brazilian folk rhythm delighted them.
A superheroes medley demonstrated the duo’s versatility both in choice of music and use of instruments. Their trademark Marimba Spiritual proved that the roof of the building was well and truly secured, in a stunning performance before an almost acrobatic version of Chopin’s Minute Waltz closed the concert.
A fantastic and enthralling introduction to the world of percussion; O Duo produce a compelling performance and display superb musicianship.
Peter Collett Leicester Mercury
The four day festival came to an epic end with O Duo performing their family-friendly percussion show Crash, Bang, Wallop! The two musicians opened their account, with Bongo Fury, a loud, fast-paced performance, the two musicians quickly moved through jazz standard Take Five on two marimbas and Brazilian music on the djembes.
The best piece by far was O Duo's rendition of Philip Glass's Mad Rush. Granted it was greatly condensed but still evoked just as much emotion, thanks to Oliver Cox and Owen Gunnell's phenomenal energy. They went on to perform a miss-mash of movie themes, from Batman to Indiana Jones to Ben 10 and The Incredibles and ended with a one-and-half minute waltz, which increased the tempo to as fast as they could play.
The Leicester International Music Festival is undoubtedly one of the biggest events of the year for any classical music lover. Listed as one of the 20 unmissable events of September 2011 by BBC Music Magazine, it's blindingly obvious why people from across England (and Europe) flocked to New Walk Museum.
This year the theme was France and Spain. “It's all about Picasso” artistic director, Nicholas Daniel explained, ‘because of this incredible exhibition of Picasso ceramics, which is the greatest collection of Picasso ceramics in the world.
‘Picasso was such a musical composer in so many ways, and when I look at his work I always hear music. There is a Spanish flavour to it, yet he had an enormous influence, and was enormously influenced by France.
‘The French have this extraordinarily cultivated music, and the Spanish have this wonderful earthiness.’
The festival recorded one of its biggest turnouts. Nicholas said: "The musicians loved the Leicester audiences."
Omar Mohamed Leicester Wave
Event 9 18th September 2011 Evening Concert
Full of swirling phrases Joaquín Turina’s La Oracion del Torero is reminiscent of his contemporary Frederick Delius. Violinists Priya Mitchell and Alexander Sitkovetsky, Nathan Braude on viola and cellist Natalie Clein performed with a beautiful lyricism and a balance which allowed melodic lines to sing gloriously.
In Poulenc’s Oboe Sonata, Charles Owen’s rolling piano chords set against Nicholas Daniel’s soothing oboe parts were simply a delight. A darting Scherzo portrayed a frustration, calming moments leading to a gentle Déploration.
Transcribed for piano duet by Lucien Garban, Maurice Ravel’s La Valse was written as a tribute to Johann Strauss. Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen conveyed the glorious finery and the darker society undercurrents in a compelling performance which was full of energy.
Based on themes from Bizet’s Carmen, Pablo de Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasie for Violin and Piano was played by Priya Mitchell and Charles Owen. Sarasate demonstrates the full tonal range of the violin, from the barely audible scratchiness at the top of the range, to the richness of the lower ranges. Mitchell gave a lively performance, capturing the flamboyance of the Spanish rhythms.
Drama and emotional intensity characterize Ravel’s Piano Trio. It was performed by Sitkovetsky, Clein and Apekisheva in an exquisite interpretation. The smooth transitions as the violin took over a melody from the cello were a particular delight.
A fine choice of music to end the Festival, with some outstanding musicianship!
Peter Collett Leicester Mercury
From Music Round Up:
I’ve said it a dozen times, but it’s worth repeating: we are very fortunate in Leicester to have so many outstanding musical events. It makes the city the envy of many another, as I’m often told by visitors to our concerts and festivals.
In fact we have just enjoyed the Leicester international Music Festival. This four-day feast of world-class music making from international artists attracted consistently large and enthusiastic audiences and its theme of musical delights from France and Spain proved a real winner.
This festival is acknowledged in the national press as being “unmissable”. It’s a marvellous success story and a credit to Leicester. The artistic director, organisers and sponsors deserved our thanks and congratulations and we look forward to the Museum Lunchtime Concerts, organised by the same team, that begin on October 6th with a song recital from Emma Bell (soprano) and Anna Tillbrook (piano). There’s more information on the series at www.musicfestival.co.uk
Neil Crutchley Leicester Mercury
From Facebook:
Julian Haslam Fantastic opening concert!!! Absolutely blown away by the music making. Best of luck for the rest of the festival.
Jo N Rich We came to the family concert yesterday - it was FANTASTIC - well done.
From Twitter:
mhamlin1 Mike Hamlin @leicsmusicfest Superb first concert. Outstanding programme selection - accessible yet profound. World class performances. Well done.
Word of mouth:
One lady came up to me after the concert and said, "That was the best musical
experience I have ever had".
