June 2009

May was a memorable month starting with the Prague Spring Festival where we enjoyed eight wonderful concerts and The Marriage of Figaro in Mozart’s Estate Theatre. The city, always so green, was more beautiful than ever with lilacs, acacias, roses and more. The parties, BBQs and meals on the balcony of my apartment in the hotel seemed the best ever, with stunning views over the city and a relaxed atmosphere.  Here and in Vienna and Eszterhaza I had excellent help from David Jackson a friend from Australia, former principal violist of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Not only a wonderful violist but also a great barbeque chef and all round helper.

Then to Vienna and on to Eszterhaza on 27 May for the start of the Haydn Bicentenary celebrations.  Staying in Eszterhaza is always a wonderful experience and the concerts there were amazing. Perhaps the highlight was at noon on the actual Bicentenary day; in the Music Room, where Haydn first conducted so many symphonies and other music, we heard the Berlin Akademie fur Alte Musik - they left us speechless, absolutely superb in every way. The final concert ended with a champagne reception in the elegant Sala Terrena from where we could watch the fireworks. The present Prince, Anton Esterhazy, was a gracious host and an interesting person to chat to.

Other memories include the Mendelssohn Octet in the Bagatelle, a private concert by the Czech String Duo (Martin Sedlak and Lucy Hulova Sedlakova) and many wonderful playing sessions with coaching by Ronald Birks (Lindsay Quartet) and Martin Sedlak (Kinsky Trio Prague). We had fascinating guided tours and visits to the magnificent rooms of Eszterhaza, the Haydn house where he and his musicians lived on the edge of this extensive estate, the birthplace in the village of Rohrau, his house and burial place in Eisenstadt and the newly extended Haydn House in Vienna. In Vienna the highlight was a private concert by the Aron Quartet, superb playing of Haydn and  Ravel and Schostakovich which they have just recorded. 
  
One of our regular participants Ken Tange from Tokyo, Japan wrote; "Thank you very much, it was the most unforgettable holiday I have ever had. I felt myself to be so close to Papa Haydn, visiting five Haydn Houses, listening to eight concerts of Haydn’s compositions, and playing so many string quartets by him."

In 2010 Budapest, a superb city with much of musical interest, will be added to Vienna and Eszterhaza. Details by September.

Vienna and Eszterhaza - 25 August to 4 September
There are already several bookings and I am delighted to be able to offer this second event as the first Holiday there was booked up so quickly and many people were disappointed. I suggest you make reservations as early as possible. This year's Haydn Festival features four superb concerts including the world famous Age of Enlightenment Orchestra and Quatuor Mosaïques.

Corfu - 22 September to 5 October
Last week I visited Albania to check on details for our two day visit during the Corfu Chamber Music Holiday. The town of Saranda has expanded fast but in Butrint the world seems far away with the stunning excavations from prehistoric times through the many different civilizations. The programme for the Divertimenti in Corfu Festival this year is, I think, the most interesting yet, with the brilliant Herold Quartet and three wonderful new venues. This holiday is proving very popular and only a few places remain, so book soon. 

Prague Christmas - 21 to 29 December
This magical time of year in one of my favorite places. Superb concerts and a wonderful festive atmosphere. Bookings are now open with generous discounts for early payments as usual. It is wise to book early as tickets for the opera and ballet are sold out quickly.

News of our Musical Family
Michal Kanka will be celebrating his 50th birthday on 23 May with a recital in the Prague Spring Festival and on 31 May with the Prazak Quartet. Both of these concerts will be in our Prague Spring programme. 

Lucie Hulova Sedlakova and her husband Martin Sedlak (Kinsky Trio Prague) were with us in Eszterhaza with their son and daughter. Martin was one of the coaches while Lucie took four coaching sessions in Prague. They gave a most enjoyable concert as the Czech String Duo. They are very much part of the family. 

Jan Valta and Karel Untermuller (Herold Quartet) were popular coaches in Prague and with the rest of the  Quartet they will be in Corfu for six fantastic concerts and coaching. Karel is a spectacular cook and we look forward to the barbeque where he is the chief chef!  

Members of the Kocian and Stamic Quartets were at the party in Prague along with Martin, Lucie and family. We thoroughly enjoyed their concerts during the Prague Spring Festival.

More news next month. Once again thank you all for your interest and support and please forward this Newsletter to friends who may be interested. Do continue to send me contacts for people who may be interested in joining us. Thank you to everyone who has sent me their change of e-mail address, this is most helpful. If you have written an e-mail to me which has not been answered please resend it as I am still finding important emails and application forms in junk or spam filters. 

I hope to see you later this year or in 2010. All best wishes for a wonderful summer full of lots of music.
Vivienne E. Pittendrigh

Previous Newsletters

May 2009
February 2009
December 2008
October 2008