Blackthorpe

PRESS - Feb 2009

International Summer Music at Blackthorpe Barn 10 to 19 July 2009

Each year in July the spectacular Blackthorpe Barn opens its doors to some of the world’s greatest classical musicians when it puts on its International Summer Music Festival. People come from far and wide to hear these fantastic players perform in this unique setting.

Above: Maxim Rysanov

This year for the first time International Summer Music welcomes the brilliant Welsh pianist Llyr Williams whose reputation has grown enormously since his first appearance at the Edinburgh Festival some years ago. He now performs to packed houses all over the world.

The Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanski was recently described as ‘a player destined for future glories’ by Classical Guitar Magazine. Over the last year he was selected as ‘one to watch’ by Gramophone Magazine and the BBC Music Magazine, was featured artist on the cover of Classical Guitar Magazine and was a finalist in the ‘2008 Outstanding Young Artist Award’ (MIDEM Classique/IAMA).

The Razumovsky Ensemble has become something of an institution at Blackthorpe Barn, returning year after year. This year they will perform the hugely popular sextet ‘Souvenir de Florence’ by Tchaikovsky. This will be on of the highlights of the festival. These musicians who each have major international solo careers come together to perform under the leadership of the Russian cellist Oleg Kogan.

Maxim Rysanov is quite possibly the best viola player in the world today. If you think that viola is a dull instrument, then listening to Maxim will change your mind forever! He combines hugely dramatic playing with extreme delicacy and profound musicianship. On Friday 17 July he performs with pianist Evgeny Samoyloff and the following night with three other players in a very popular programme of Brahms and Schumann. Tickets for this concert are selling like hotcakes.

The final evening features one of the world’s great string quartets, the Belcea Quartet, who will bring the festival to a superb finale with a performance of Schubert’s Death and the Maiden and Beethoven’s quartet Op59 No2. They have been wowing audiences all over the world for many years and return to Blackthorpe Barn by popular demand.

Full details of all concerts can be found at www.blackthorpebarn.com and a free brochure is available and can be ordered by calling 01359 270091 or emailing events@blacthorpebarn.com

ENDS