Bath Mozartfest

Bath Mozartfest 2012 – What The Papers Say

Just a small selection from many positive press quotes about Bath Mozartfest 2012:

Bath Mozartfest delivers small miracles in the City’s glorious surroundings. Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times 18.11.2012

The Nash Ensemble was founded 48 years ago by the artistic director of Mozartfest, Amelia Freedman, but I wonder if it has ever comprised such patrician players as it does today….The opening concert was so fine, I was sorry to miss the Nash’s large-scaled, Mostly French programme two nights later. Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times 18.11.2012

The annual Bath Mozartfest, by no means limited to the music of its inspired genius, has an imaginative remit. Fiona Maddocks, The Observer 18.11.2012

Purcell’s Welcome to all the pleasures was as uplifting as its title suggests, with singers coming forward from the body of the small chorus to take solo roles. Charles Daniels’ high tenor going up into falsetto range – as Purcell describes the deities’ approval of Cecilia’s bestowing of universal harmony – was just one example of conductor Paul McCreesh’s meticulous approach to authentic practice. Britten’s Hymn to St Cecilia, for unaccompanied voices and setting words by WH Auden, was delivered with cool precision, the three different settings of the refrain building to an ecstatic end. But it was the Gabrieli’s performance of Purcell’s Hail, Bright Cecilia! that was simply ravishing. McCreesh created a sense of momentum and energy, ensuring that every detail emerged with crystal clarity, and moments of intimacy contrasted with the joyous resonance of trumpets and drums. Rian Evans, The Guardian, 12.11.2012

A performance of high quality, scrupulously accurate and immaculately placed… Peter Lloyd Williams, The Bath Chronicle, 15.11.2012 on the Gabrieli Consort’s performance of Purcell’s Hail Bright Cecilia!

This same sense of enjoyment was present as she conducted herself into the opening of No 9, and on to the beautifully judged final passage. Once again in this concert Angela Hewitt showed a warmth within her playing that relaxed her audience from the first opening bars, and ensured an enjoyment of the work on offer right to the last note. Gerry Parker, Western Daily Press/www.thisissomerset.co.uk 14.11.2012 reviewing Angela Hewitt’s solo piano recital

Angela Hewitt’s bravura performance of the Mozart Piano Concerto No 24 gave us yet more movement, graceful and elegant, like her playing. Her partnership with Hannu Lintu produced a striking pas de deux, and the middle movement Larghetto was a study in fluid, melodic artistry. It was a felicitous combination of orchestra and solo piano, in one of Mozart’s most imaginatively orchestrated concertos, with plenty of interesting work for wind players, complementing the solo part, which is full of lively movement, exploring the full range of the keyboard in a virtuoso interpretation. Peter Lloyd Williams The Bath Chronicle, 19.11.2012 of the closing concert featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Hannu Lintu and featuring soloist Angela Hewitt

Without a penny of public subsidy the Mozartfest continues to work small miracles. Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times 18.11.2012

For more information, please contact Julie Peacock at Peacock Public Relations on 01225 448044 or julie@peacockpr.com