Corbridge Chamber Music Festival

It's that time of year again. The four days of the festival are sacrosanct, so that I can attend all the concerts. It hasn't worked this year, because David and Debbie are having their Golden Wedding Celebrations in Southampton this weekend. I am flying south on Saturday and Joan will be here to wait on the cats. (They will love that.)

Here are my friends, Maureen and Tim. They do a lot of quiet organisational things for the festival. Having their photo taken is not a favourite activity, but they humoured me.

The church was nearly full and we were treated to a lovely programme:

Fanny Mendelssohn - Piano Trio in D minor, Op.11 
Bernard Herrmann - Souvenirs de Voyage (28’)
Dvořák - String Quintet in G major, Op.77 

I found the Mendelssohn a bit predictable, although the Gould piano trio played it beautifully.

I loved the Herrmann suite. It was a huge surprise. The first movement was inspired by Vaughan Williams and Housman's Shropshire Lad. The second, a lullaby, evokes the waters around the Aran Islands off County Galway. The third is inspired by Turner's watercolours of Venice.

The new visiting bass player, Enno Senft, reminded me of the actor, Bill Nighy! 

Then we had a reception and a chance to chat to more people.

My car went for its service, MOT and regassing of the air conditioning unit. I had apparently forgotten to mention the service, so that will be done next week.