74th Aldeburgh Festival
A moment to celebrate the remarkable 74th Aldeburgh Festival.
With around 70 concerts squeezed into 17 days, there were over 35 world premieres, including 21 Britten Pears Arts commissions. The chance to experience the joy of our resident artists repeatedly during the two weeks was commented on by many, as we had the opportunity to see so many different facets of their talents. In Roderick Williams’ case, this ranged from premiering Sally Beamish’s orchestral arrangement of Four Songs from Hamesh (a Britten Pears Arts commission), to appearing barefoot in shorts in amongst the Concerteenies the following morning.
Pavel Kolesnikov dazzled us with his Celestial Navigation before he and Samson Tsoy transformed the Jubilee Hall into an exquisitely intimate piano playground full of Bach, Kurtag and Shostakovich. Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s music felt made to measure for the Concert Hall, while Cassandra Miller shared the fruits of her evident long-term, close collaboration with the Bozzini Quartet and Juliet Fraser.
Fiona Maddocks summed it up nicely in the Observer (one of so many 4 and 5-star reviews):
Aldeburgh has evolved since Britten’s death, but its essence remains. Dedication to new generations is fierce, as it always was, but the atmosphere is more open… Across a fortnight of concerts, 45 premieres will have been performed. (The BBC Proms 2023, over eight weeks and 71 concerts, is doing well with 23.) To hear so much, of such high quality and variety, marked this as a standout year for Aldeburgh.The Observer
The Festival wouldn’t happen without the hard work of all Britten Pears Arts colleagues. Read on for interviews, a reminder of the Festival podcasts and more.
With only 31% of the Aldeburgh Festival funded through ticket sales, we would like to renew our thanks to each of you for your support, which makes it possible.
Aldeburgh Festival
Find everything about the fantastic two weeks of Festival at the Aldeburgh Festival Hub.
With a selection of great reviews and links to the programme notes.
Festival highlights video
Watch the incredible highlights from this year's Festival.
Festival interview
Camille De Rijck talks to Aldeburgh Festival featured musician Pavel Kolesnikov about his fascination with American artist Joseph Cornell – creator of ‘magic boxes’.
Festival podcasts
Catch up with all our Festival podcasts hosted by BBC Radio 3's Tom McKinney and Dr Lucy Walker.
