Two great musicians with whom I had the great privilege to perform made the following comments:
"Young players need to find a job in an orchestra, but they should play chamber music for the soul." Yehudi Menuhin
"Chamber music is the most sublime way of making music; it leaves no room for hiding; it calls for making a totality larger than the sum of its parts; it is a mind opener" Isaac Stern
Music is my passion, the flute is my passion and chamber music is my passion. A lot of passions! and all finding expression in a new international music festival this year at the beautiful venue of Charterhouse School in Surrey. Charterhouse School is buzzing with events all year round. Apart from the obvious role as one of Britain's top public schools, it offers conference facilities, accommodates film crews, runs summ er courses, has a superb gym and pool, one hears the familiar sound of cricket ball on bat, birdsong in the beautifully kept grounds in the Surrey countryside, and one loves the historic buildings, the chapel and for musicians, the Ralph Vaughan Williams Music Centre. There could not be a more idyllic place to realize a dream; to launch the Charterhouse International Music Festival.
Contrary to what I hear people sometimes say, I think Britain is a very musical country and a great supporter of chamber music. Since leaving a full time orchestral position, my musical life has centred on chamber music, regularly visiting some of the hundreds of music clubs, societies and festivals in Britain run on a "shoe string" by enthusiastic music lovers. Musicians young and old love the intimate experience of this fascinating art form, which is so special and quite different from the uniquely dynamic excitement of playing in a large orchestra. Menuhin was quite right, it is a "soul" experience.
The string repertoire has some of the most beautiful chamber music ever written. A string quartet can spend a lifetime working on the repertoire and nev er play all of it. There is also an enormous amount of beautiful chamber music for wind and strings, wind and piano, wind, strings and piano, strings and piano and wind, strings and harp. How marvellous to have the opportunity to create a festival in which we can explore and p erform this repertoire and to have the support and enthusiasm of Charterhouse School. For serious, gifted young players, and for the love of instrumental music and chamber music, the Charterhouse International Music Festival will be launched this year. Eminent teachers and performers will give master classes and coach chamber music. The emphasis of the festival will be on the experience of making music.
The Wind Faculty
Susan Milan Flute, David Theodore Oboe, Mark Van de Wiel Clarinet,
Michael Thompson Horn, Martin Gatt Bassoon
All are, or have been Principal players of London orchestras:
The String Faculty
Natalia Boyarsky Violin, Matthew Jones Viola, Alexander Boyarsky Cello
Yonty Solomon Piano Ieuan Jones Harp
The icing on the cake will be the concerts. Charterhouse School has magical facilities; two recital halls, a large hall in the historic part of the school and a chapel. All of these will make it possible to give those young musicians who attend the chance to perform almost every day in concerts. And this is my dream for the festival; creating the opportunity for young musicians to gain invaluable experience performing and listening in a non-competitive environment, where they can work with established professional musicians and musicians of their own age and level; where they can make music; and where they can make friends for life.
So if anyone reading this blog has a passion for chamber music like me, join me this year at Charterhouse August 1-8. www.cimf.org.uk
