Festival
Carducci Festival Highnam 18-20th May 2018
2018 is the Quartet’s 21st birthday year and we hope you’ll join us to celebrate! We’ll be marking the anniversary throughout the year, culminating in a Gala Concert in Cheltenham on 9th November.
We’re delighted to be bringing a huge variety of music to this year’s Festival, and particularly to include music by British composers with a link to this part of the world. We’ll be performing Elgar’s Piano Quintet, composed 100 years ago in 1918, as well as Howells Rhapsodic Quintet for Clarinet and Strings. Alongside some well-loved favourites by Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert, we’ll also be performing more modern works for string quartet by Shostakovich and Arvo Pärt.
Cellist Benedict Kloeckner, pianist Danny Driver and clarinettist Michael Collins need no introduction as world class musicians, and we can’t wait to make music with them in Holy Innocents Church – especially as 2018 marks 100 years since the death of Sir Hubert Parry, the composer most closely associated with this beautiful place.
Booking opens to the general public on Monday 26th February, following priority booking for Patrons and Friends.
FREE tickets are available for 8-25 year olds inclusive for the concerts in Highnam Church, sponsored by the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust. To reserve these tickets please contact carduccitrust@gmail.com
Friday 18th May 2018
‘Love and Loss’
7.30pm, Highnam Church
With Benedict Kloeckner, cello
Mendelssohn String Quartet No 6 in F Minor Op 80
Bach Suite for Solo Cello No 2 in D minor BWV 1008
Giovanni Sollima Lamentatio for Solo Cello
Schubert Quintet for Strings in C major D956
We’re opening the 2018 Festival with beautiful romantic works by Mendelssohn and Schubert. Mendelssohn’s Op 80 quartet was the last major piece he completed before his death in 1847, and was subtitled ‘Requiem for Fanny’ in memory of his sister. Schubert’s string quintet was also among his final works, written in 1828 at the same time as several of the songs from his Schwanengesang, and both are deeply reflective and poignant works.
Saturday 19th May
‘War and Humanity’
7.30pm, Highnam Church
With Danny Driver, piano
Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8 in C minor Op 110
Brahms Four Pieces for Solo Piano Op 11
Elgar Quintet in A minor for Piano and String Quartet Op 84
Our Saturday evening concert showcases two major works written at seminal moments of the 20th century – Elgar’s Piano Quintet, written during the final summer of the First World War in 1918 and premiered the following year, and Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 which he dedicated to ‘the victims of fascism and the war’.
Sunday 20th May 2018
‘Classics at The Court’
11.00am, Highnam Court Orangery
Haydn String Quartet No. 4 in D major Op 20 No. 4
Beethoven String Quartet No. 8 in E minor Op 59 No. 2
The intimate setting of Highnam Court’s beautiful Orangery provides a perfect backdrop for these two classic quartets by Haydn and Beethoven. Both ground-breaking works of their day, these quartets capture the exuberance and energy of a musical form which was newly developing.
Tickets price includes a glass of coffee, sherry or juice and access to Highnam Court Gardens after the concert
£4 from every ticket will be donated to the Pied Piper Appeal
(SOLD OUT)
‘Celebrating the Clarinet’
4.30pm, Highnam Church
With Michael Collins, clarinet
Howells Rhapsodic Quintet for Clarinet and Strings Op 31
Arvo Pärt Summa
Mozart Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A major K581
We round off the 2018 Festival with a feast of music for clarinet and strings – both Mozart’s iconic clarinet quintet and a less familiar gem by Herbert Howells, his song-like Rhapsodic Quintet, first published in 1919. This work is complemented by Arvo Pärt’s 1992 work Summa, which also evokes the patterns of song. Please join us for tea and cake before the concert, from 3.30pm.
FREE EVENTS
Saturday 19th May 2018
Festival Masterclasses
10.30 – 12.00pm, Highnam Church
FREE EVENT – a chance to watch talented young musicians take part in a masterclass with acclaimed pianist Danny Driver.
Gloucestershire Young Musician Showcase
1.00pm, Highnam Church
FREE EVENT – A half hour showcase by the winner of the ‘Carducci Audience Prize’ at the Gloucestershire Young Musician Competition 2018
Family Concert
2.00pm, Highnam Parish Rooms
FREE EVENT – come and discover five different wind instruments in an hour of musical fun and games with the Camarilla Ensemble. This concert is suitable for all ages.
Sponsored by the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust. CAVATINA brings young people to chamber music and chamber music to young people.
Directions
For the Gambier Parry Hall and Highnam Church: From Gloucester take the A40 (signposted ‘Ross-on-Wye’). Then 1km from Over roundabout, turn right at the traffic lights onto B4215 (sign-posted ‘Newent’). 250 metres on the left turn left into car park.
For Highnam Court: From Gloucester take the A40 (signposted ‘Ross-on-Wye’). At Highnam roundabout take third exit (un-signposted). Continue up the drive to carpark.
Use google maps for directions to Highnam Court and Church Or use Multimap Map Other useful sites (inc. accommodation) Bed and Breakfasts Gloucester Tourist Information Centre