Classical: Festival's a natural beauty

“The North York Moors National Park is one of the outstanding areas of national beauty in our land, and with the annual Chamber Music Festival we aim to combine concerts in an all encompassing experience,” says Jamie Walton, the festival’s artistic director, as he prepares the eighth event opening next month.

This year’s theme Schumann: A Genius Revealed marks the hundred and 60th year of his death with 16 works spread through the 13 concerts performed in 10 historic churches.

Into it is worked the friendship shared between the Schumann family and their supportive friend, Johannes Brahms, with five of his major works, togther with those who played an important part in the Germanic nineteenth century - Mendelssohn, Schubert and Mahler.

Coming to share the 14 days are a galaxy of outstanding instrumentalists who will combine in verious permutations to offer everyrthing from solo items to a chamber orchestra. Added to the established team that includes the pianists Katya Apekisheva and Adam Johnson, cellist Thomas Carroll, and the violin of Hugo Ticciati, we have the ‘residency’ of The Albion Quartet.

The festival will also be in memory of its patron, Sir Peter Maxwell Davis, who died in March this year, three of his works, including the Tenth Naxos String Quartet, were to be performed in his presence.

North York Moors Chamber Music Festival, August 14 – 27, tickets and information from [email protected] or 01751 417705