Bledington Music Festival 2008

5 June – Gloucestershire culture vultures will be in for a real treat this June, when the three-day Bledington Music Festival welcomes a host of acclaimed classical performers.

When acclaimed organist Thomas Trotter gave a recital at St Leonard’s Church in the pretty village of Bledington in 2000, little did he know that a three-day classical music festival would be born – growing over the years to welcome an international line-up of reputed artists.

With performances scheduled to take place on Thursday 3, Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June, the Bledington Music Festival 2008 is set to continue the standard, with audiences flocking from across Gloucestershire and beyond for performances by cellist Jessica Hayes, clarinettist Sarah Williamson and pianist Sasha Grynuk.

Tuesday 3 June 2008 – Jessica Hayes

Jessica Hayes started learning the cello at age four, winning a scholarship to Dean Close School in Cheltenham before winning yet another scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music – where she is currently about to embark on her final year.

Hayes will be accompanied on the piano by Christopher White, who graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2007, and is currently in the first year of his masters study.

Audiences can expect to hear performances including Rachmaniov’s ‘Sontata for ‘cello in G minus Opus 19’, Brahms’ ‘Sontata in F major Opus 99’ and Delius’ ‘Sontata for cello’, with these experienced performers expected to kick-start this year’s festival with aplomb.

Wednesday 4 June 2008 – Sarah Williamson

Clarinettist Sarah Williamson has won a whole host of scholarships and awards during her musical career, having also toured the world playing to audiences in everywhere from the USA to the UAE. Other achievements include appearances with Orchestra of the Swan, Orchestra of St John’s and the BBC Concert Orchestra – with her Bledington performance expected to be nothing short of superb.

Playing alongside Williamson on the night, pianist Catherine Milledge is also an award winning musician, having performed across the UK and Europe.

Scheduled pieces include Martinu’s ‘Sonatina’, Finzi’s ‘Five Bagatelles, Poulenc’s ‘Sonata Verdi’ and Horowitz’s ‘Sonatina Brahms’.

Thursday 5 June 2008 – Sasha Grynyuk

Completing the three-day line-up of concerts will be Sasha Grynyuk, a young pianist from Kiev who started his musical career at the aged of 11, having since performed in many Eastern European countries before being awarded a full scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Grynyuk has subsequently brought audiences around the world to their feets, with his Gloucestershire performance likely to be no exception.

Expect to hear the likes of Chopin’s ‘24 Preludes Opus 28’, Mozart’s ‘Fantasia in D minor K397’, Bach-Busoni’s ‘Chaconne’ and Debussy’s ‘L’isle Joyeuse’.

Event: Bledington Music Festival 2008
Venue: St Leonard’s Church, Bledington, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 6XN. Please note the church does lie within the borders of Gloucestershire, in despite of the Oxfordshire postal address.
Date: Tuesday 3 June to Thursday 5 June 2008
Times: All concerts start at 7.30pm
Tickets: Cost £16 for each of the evening’s concerts, or £45 for all-three. Telephone (01608) 658669 for more information and to book tickets in advance.

SoGlos.com
8 May 2008