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7th September 2010
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| Breaking News |
7th September 2010 |
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For details of The Longslade Consort concerts, please click on The Longslade Consort Page. A Festival Appreciation Neil Crutchley Leicester Mercury Music Critic writes: We came to the end of an era last Saturday with the final event of this year’s festival, and it seemed entirely appropriate that it should include music, food, wine and historic surroundings; all things the Leicester Early Music Festival has combined with such success for the past twenty-one years. Inevitably there is a feeling of sadness about the festival coming to an end. It has been a big part of the city’s musical life. But then again, it has achieved what it set out to do and that was to make early music part of Leicester’s mainstream concert programme. The festival has raised the profile of early music and widened its appreciation to the extent that many local groups and venues regularly feature concerts of this type in their annual programmes. The festival has also given Leicester folk an opportunity to appreciate some of the city’s most ancient and beautiful buildings, not to mention high quality wine and “period” food. Over the years the festival has brought to Leicester many of the world’s leading performers including Emma Kirkby and Anthony Rooley, Michala Petri, The Sixteen, Peter Holman and the Parley of Instruments, Musica Antiqua of London, Florilegium, The Hilliard Ensemble, Fiori Musicali, the Carnival Band, Quadriga, Quintessential, Red Priest and the York Waites. It has also given a platform to local and regional groups such as the Longslade Consort, the Lachrimae Consort, Courtlye Music, Rostibolli, the Vallet Lute Quartet, the Vautour Ensemble and the Arden Consort. Many local organists and instrumentalists have also benefited from the festival’s wide-ranging aims. The mention of aims leads on to another very significant aspect of the past 21 years and that is the encouragement of children and young people to be part of the festival by creating enjoyable and educational workshops and special concerts. The festival director has always stressed the importance of encouraging young musicians by making sure they have a role to play and the confidence to play it. The children’s workshops and family concerts have provided some of the festival’s happiest moments. A wander round the Castle Park area of the city on Bank Holiday Monday when it is buzzing with special activities – all part of the festival programme – showed just how much Leicester folk took the Early music Festival to heart. Festival regulars have become rather like a family; meeting at the opening event each year and chatting, reminiscing and enjoying each other’s company. This is something very special, as the family extends to anyone who cares to join – no-one ever feels left out or “out of their depth” at a LEMF event. Of course, none of this would have happened with out the guidance and inspiration of the festival’s founder and artistic director, John Bence. A fine musician, teacher and craftsman, it was his vision twenty one years ago that has now brought early music to the mainstream of the city’s musical life. Leicester owes him a great debt of gratitude. John and his dedicated team intend to continue to stage early music concerts throughout the year, so happily, we can still look forward to their unique combination of stylish music making and warm hospitality. |
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