46 / 76
38
Over the years I’ve seen all sorts turn up
to concerts at St Nics Church, from pearls
and cravats to ‘sloppy Joes’ and piercings
(and that includes the musicians). There’s
something special about live music of
any genre, and the rumbling of organ
pipes, the boom of timpani that shake the
pews and vibrate through your torso, or a
plaintive string solo that brings tears to the
eyes, have made many a convert. There’s
nothing quite like a full-on orchestra,
especially one of international renown.
Once experienced, never forgotten.
Besides, the festival fortnight offers a feast
of alternative events featuring jazz, folk,
World Music, cabaret and musicals, as
well as concerts for young children.
From May 6 to 20, the festival returns for
its 39th year and, as always, world-class
artists comes to our town to perform at
venues in and around the area. There
are 45 concerts to choose from, all for a
fraction of London prices.
In the heart of town, the Corn Exchange
hosts a daily programme of diverse events
featuring established groups such as
Marlborough Jazz Dixieland favourites,
the Dutch Swing College Band, one of the
oldest and best-known brass ensembles
in the world, the Black Dyke Band, and
famous Welsh male voice choir, the
Morriston Orpheus – and now here’s a
point in question, I thought I wasn’t a fan
of the genre until I was engaged to look
after this big, bold bunch of Welshmen
before a London gig. That night their
sensitive and haunting rendition of
Cwm
Rhondda
reduced me to tears. They stir
your soul.
Alongside these acts are performers
like Kathryn Tickell – long-revered in
folk circles as the foremost player of the
Northumbrian smallpipes and an ace
fiddler – coming with her band, and one
of Africa’s leading traditional drumming
groups, Kakatsitsi from Ghana, who have
taken Glastonbury by storm. And destined
to get you on your feet is the Bollywood
Brass Band with their compulsive dance
rhythms – funky drummers and hot horns
play massive hits from Indian films, driven
by the punchy beat of the dhol drum.
Britain’s leading international concert
pianist Stephen Hough – hailed by
The
Economist
as one of 20 living polymaths,
a true renaissance man; writer, composer
and painter – has won global acclaim
for his outstanding interpretations of the
piano repertoire. He has played the top
venues, from the Festival Hall to Carnegie
Hall, where he was the first musician to
give a solo recital in 20 years, and now
comes to our town for a Sunday afternoon
performance at the Corn Exchange.
It’s great for children to experience the
thrill of live music, and the festival is
a lovely place to start. Families with
children of all ages, including toddlers
and babes-in-arms can go to Sound
Beginnings, where they will be introduced
to the wonderful world of Tchaikovsky’s
ballet music in an informal atmosphere,
as well as enjoying a wholesome lunch at
Sheepdrove Eco Centre, Lambourn. Or
there’s a family puppet show in the Corn
Exchange and Travelling by Tuba, a duo
who show that serious music-making
really can come with loads of fun and
laughter.
So Newbury Spring Festival’s all about classical music.
Too high-brow. Not my thing.
Right?
Wrong...
Stephen Hough
But this is all for starters
Visit
www.newburyspringfestival.org.ukand discover a whole
world of music right here on your doorstep from May 6 to 20.
You might even give classical music a go. Tickets are selling fast,
book online or in person at the Corn Exchange.
To win a pair of tickets to Voces8 at East
Woodhay Church, with a pre-show dinner
at The Crown and Garter Inkpen see p49