Solent Music Festival returns to Lymington for the 7th year
Inspired by romantic tradition, the 2019 festival at the beautiful St Thomas Church will run from 16th to 22nd September
The Solent Music Festival was founded in 2013 with the aim of attracting the highest possible calibre of classical music performances to the beautiful sailing town of Lymington. Concerts take place in the beautiful St Thomas Church.
Inspired by the romantic tradition, each year different ensembles feature within the programme - echoing past customs. In Schumann’s time, for example, it was common to programme individual movements of symphonies along with piano solos, string quartets, singers – even poetry readings.
2019 Solent Music Festival Programme
This year's festival will open on Monday 16 September with Tenebrae, sponsored by Global Telecommunications. Described as “phenomenal” (The Times) and “devastatingly beautiful” (Gramophone Magazine), this award-winning choir, under the direction of Nigel Short, is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles. Their 'Hymn of Heavenly Beauty' programme will include works from the Renaissance to the present day, ranging from Allegri's 'Miserere mei, Deus' to Whitacre's 'I thank You God'.
In a special concert honouring women composers on Tuesday 17 September, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn and others will feature alongside Australian composer Hollis Taylor's 'Absolute Bird' for clarinet and recorded birdsong.
Since its formation in 2002, the Navarra Quartet has built an international reputation as one of the most dynamic and poetic string quartets of today. They return to the Solent Music Festival on Wednesday 18 September with three different chamber music formations: Schubert's Quartetsatz, Schumann's Piano Quintet and Brahms' Sextet in G major.
On Friday 20 September, SMF Artistic Director Sam Haywood will present a solo piano programme of Mozart, Bartók and Liszt's B minor Sonata, which he is currently performing in Germany and South America. He will be using the beautiful Steinway Concert Grand piano the festival hires every year.
The evening concert on Saturday 21 September, sponsored by Rathbones, will feature the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Marta Gardolińska. They will perform Beethoven's Fourth Symphony, Haydn's Sixth Symphony and Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream Suite.
And bringing the festival to a close on the afternoon of Sunday 22 September, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra Nonet, consisting of the very best past and present members of the the NYJO and a showcase for some of the most talented young jazz musicians working in the UK.
Book your tickets online or purchase from The Solent Cellar, Lymington.
Tickets are available online and from The Solent Cellar. Early booking is advised. Find links to tickets below:
Monday 16th September, 7.30pm: Tenebrae - A Hymn of Heavenly Beauty
Tuesday 17th September, 7,30pm: Great Women Composers
Wednesday 18th September, 7.30pm: The Navarra String Quartet and Friends.
Friday 20th September, 7.30pm: Sam Haywood in Recital
Saturday 21st September, 7.30pm: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Marta Gardolińska
Sunday 22nd September, 4pm: National Youth Jazz Orchestra Nonet
Rover tickets are available, allowing entry to all festival events and saving £30! Book your Rover ticket here!
Thank you to all who have supported the festival
Over the years many local people have kindly offered to help in whatever way they can, contributing to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere which pervades the festival. The Solent Music Festival is a registered charity and relies on the generous support of individuals and local businesses. Less than half of the costs are covered by ticket sales. If you would like to support the Solent Music Festival, find more details here.
