Organisers of the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival, 2006, announce full details of this year’s programme.
From Sunday 2 July until Saturday 8 July, this free, annual classical music Festival taking place on the idyllic islands of Mull and Iona as well as the town of Oban, will feature concerts and recitals from composers Mozart, Shostakovich, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Onslow and Brahms.
Performed by some of the world’s most talented young professional musicians, audiences can experience rare pieces along with more well-known works set against the dramatic backdrops of the islands’ historic castles, churches as well as Iona Abbey and St John’s Cathedral, Oban.
Founded by celebrated violinist, the late Leonard Friedman in 1988, Mendelssohn on Mull Festival derives its name from Mendelssohn’s visit to the West Coast of Scotland in 1829, where he was inspired to write his Hebridean Overture. Having worked with some of Scotland's most talented young professional musicians, Friedman believed that their practical music skills could be further developed at an advanced level by working intensively with more experienced professionals in a natural environment which would simultaneously encourage their personal, spiritual and cultural development.
Continuing this ethos, celebrated international musician Levon Chilingirian, founder of the world-renowned Chilingirian Quartet and for the fourth year, Artistic Director of the Festival, Chilingirian has personally selected 14 talented young professional musicians including Scottish violinist Jessica Beeston to work with distinguished musicians such as Marcia Crayford and Susie Mészáros.
This year’s programme of ten works by six composers performed across fourteen venues features the following pieces: Mozart quintet in B flat, K174; Shostakovich quartet no. 8; Beethoven quintet in C major, opus 29; Mozart quartet in D major, K155; Beethoven quintet in C minor, opus 104; Mendelssohn quintet no.1 in A major opus 18; Mozart quartet in C, K157; Onslow 2 cello quintet; Brahms sextet opus 18; Mendelssohn Octet; Mozart Divertimento in D major, K136 and Mozart piano trio in B flat, K502.
Levon Chilingirian, Artistic Director, Mendelssohn on Mull Festival said: ‘By providing fellowship with musicians from other traditions and with artists from Scotland and across Europe, I hope that these talented, young musicians’ horizons will be broadened as they experience living and working alongside other talented young people in an island setting of such beauty.
‘We hope that this island experience will offer them the chance to refresh and enliven themselves and their work out-with their often intensive and sometimes lonely training.
‘And we look forward to offering audiences the unique combination of Mull’s outstanding natural beauty and music of the highest standards being performed in intimate settings, castles, churches and Iona Abbey.’
Violinist, Jessica Beeston said:
’It's always a joy to take part in the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival. The whole experience of travelling to Mull, often with some who have never been before and are astounded by the beauty, spending a week playing with wonderful musicians and giving concerts in incredible venues is quite simply brilliant. For me it is like taking a week out of normality, the daily stresses and preoccupations, and coming back to what is important in music and in life. A breath of fresh air, literally! ‘It is such a wonderful opportunity to be able to play with the Mentors who always manage to inspire, support and get the best out of people. With their help and encouragement the demanding programmes (which can seem daunting at the beginning of the week!) are not just played but enjoyed and savoured by the students.
‘I've gained so much from the festival over the years, inspiration and fun probably being the main elements, and can't wait to be back in Mull again.’
The Festival also hosts the Mull Children’s String Summer School. Now in its seventh year, the School offers local children the opportunity to learn to play instruments as well as participate in ensemble and orchestral playing. Each year the Festival works with 30 children aged between 6 and 15 at two centres, in Tobermory in the north and Bunessan in the south.
Full programme information and updates can be viewed at www.mullfest.org.uk / by contacting the Festival direct on Tel: +44(0)168 830 1108 / administrator@mullfest.org.uk
