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Thaxted Festival
THE MUSIC OF DANCE
2011 saw the 25th anniversary of the relaunch of the Thaxted Festival in 1986 and the centenary of the Thaxted Morris Men. Our theme for 2011, The Music of Dance, celebrated both.
We commissioned Paul Patterson to compose a string quartet, Dances for Thaxted , which the Sacconi Quartet premièred during the first weekend Some familiar Morris dance melodies provided a starting point but were unexpectedly developed. Those who know his setting of Roald Dahl’s Little Miss Riding Hood could hardly wait!
The Festival’s opening concert, by the Brandenburg Sinfonia, was strongly dance-oriented. It also included Holst’s Fugal Concerto, one of his most attractive shorter works. The Southbank Sinfonia picked up the dance theme, but also featured Vaughan Williams’ Oboe Concerto. These two composers, close friends, were often together in Thaxted Church; it’s fitting that works by both graced our anniversary!
As usual our Festival theme had counter-melodies! We were delighted, as always, to welcome John Lill, President of the Festival since its re-launch. He played Liszt’s Sonata in B minor, as well as the last sonatas of Haydn and Beethoven.
Michael Kibblewhite directed Great Choral Classics; our soloist, Faryl Smith, a finalist in Britain’s Got Talent in 2008, was a few days short of her 16th birthday. The chorus, led by Amici Cantate, included Year 6 pupils from Thaxted School; their school education project helped them prepare for this event. The School also presented their own Festival concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund - one of only 50 schools invited to mark this event.
Tim Kliphuis, whose Thaxted debut last year was much acclaimed, returned with Scottish companions; we can expect jazzed-up Scottish dances! The Oxford Concert Party, gave also the Family Concert on the last Saturday, incorporated music from all over Europe and from Latin America. The latter also featured, together with a wide selection of classical favourites, in the recital by Ashu, the exceptionally talented young saxophonist and pianist Kuang-Hao Huang .
Monteverdi’s Vespers, by the Hertfordshire Chorus and a team of soloists led by Emma Kirkby, gave the final concert of the Festival.
We commissioned Paul Patterson to compose a string quartet, Dances for Thaxted , which the Sacconi Quartet premièred during the first weekend Some familiar Morris dance melodies provided a starting point but were unexpectedly developed. Those who know his setting of Roald Dahl’s Little Miss Riding Hood could hardly wait!
The Festival’s opening concert, by the Brandenburg Sinfonia, was strongly dance-
As usual our Festival theme had counter-
Michael Kibblewhite directed Great Choral Classics; our soloist, Faryl Smith, a finalist in Britain’s Got Talent in 2008, was a few days short of her 16th birthday. The chorus, led by Amici Cantate, included Year 6 pupils from Thaxted School; their school education project helped them prepare for this event. The School also presented their own Festival concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund -
Tim Kliphuis, whose Thaxted debut last year was much acclaimed, returned with Scottish companions; we can expect jazzed-
Monteverdi’s Vespers, by the Hertfordshire Chorus and a team of soloists led by Emma Kirkby, gave the final concert of the Festival.