October 2009

Divertimenti in Corfu Festival
This year's programme was the most stimulating we have ever had, with the brilliant Herold Quartet from Prague for five wonderful concerts in spectacular settings. We had a most interesting group of six nationalities, many had been before and a few new faces and very good amateur musicians. The two days in Albania in the first week were fascinating. Butrint, one of the most amazing archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, with stunning excavations from prehistoric times through the many civilizations, was the highlight. Our new hotel was a huge success, the delicious home cooked dinners with such fresh produce were very popular. Plans for 2010 are well underway for this, the most ambitious programme so far. Details soon. Bookings will open in late November so people who missed out this year can reserve a place well in advance.

Prague Christmas - 21 to 29 December
This is a really magical time of year in one of my favorite places. Superb concerts, opera, and ballet and a magical festive atmosphere with the world famous Christmas Market in the Old Town Square. This is now on the website it is wise to book immediately as tickets for the opera and ballet are sold out quickly. Do join us for a memorable Christmas season.

Rhine Valley, Germany - 12 to 19 May
This is one of the most beautiful parts of Germany, overlooking this great waterway. We stay in a friendly family run hotel, which welcomes amateur musicians. Meals in the hotel will be a highlight. With their own butchery and bakery their menus, with wonderful fresh produce, include typical food from this region and superb wines from their winery which we visit for tastings. Other meals will be in local gourmet restaurants. We visit the Beethoven city of Bonn, take two cruises on the Rhine, visit a winery with wine tastings and a guided walk with the vintner in the vineyards, explore historic towns such as St Goar and Bacharach, aswell as some of the stunning castles on the hills above this beautiful and historic area. Chamber music playing with coaching in the mornings and freelance playing on several evenings. Three rooms have already been booked!

Prague Spring Festival - 21 May to 2 June
The Prague Spring Festival is one of the most famous and prestigious in Europe. We have eight concerts and one opera during our stay. The atmosphere in this stunning city is very special at this time with music everywhere, lots of spring flowers and so many green areas and parks. The great Czech cellist, Michal Kanka will be celebrating his 50th birthday with us at a party in my apartment in the hotel on 21 May; a recital in the Prague Spring Festival on 24 May; and on 1 June a concert with the Prazak Quartet. These two concerts and six other concerts and one opera are included in our programme. Bookings are now open with a substantial discount for early payment. It would be advisable to book early as tickets for the opera sell quickly and I only make reservations once deposits are paid.

Budapest and Vienna - 4 to 14 June
Budapest is a superb city with much of musical interest. Our centrally located hotel, set in charming gardens in a tree lined street was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th century. The rooms have lovely antique furniture in the style of the building but with modern bathrooms, phone, TV, etc. These are ideal places for playing chamber music. We have a concert in the Palace of Arts - the fantastic new concert hall - and a performance at the State Opera House, as well as some special visits and excursions. Vienna is always interesting and enjoyable with so much musical history. Chamber music playing with coaching by the Aron Quartet, so popular with our participants as coaches and also for their wonderful concerts. A concert by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra will be on our last day, a great way to end a fantastic ten days. Our apartment hotel is so welcoming in the Alte Wein style - to stay there is an experience in itself.

Prague Summer Festival - 21 August to 2 September
This very popular Holiday has wonderful music and extensive sightseeing. Details by early November.

Asolo and Venice - 4 to 12 September
The Asolo International Music Festival will be a highlight, as will the world famous Human Chess Game in Marostica which is held every two years. There will be one day to visit Venice and another exploring the islands of Murano and Burano in the Venice lagoon. Other afternoon excursions will be to places nearby. Igor Polesitsky and Roger Low, two of Italy's leading chamber musicians, will be our coaches. Many of you will remember them coaching in Florence, also in Asolo. They are charismatic and highly experienced teachers, and very popular with our participants. The hilltop town of Asolo, in the foothills of the Dolomites is certainly one of the most beautiful and historic in the country and the lower part of the town has wonderful villas and superb gardens with spectacular views. This is the location for our hotel, a completely restored and refurbished old Venetian farmhouse, family run with just 24 rooms and opening in early November. Set in extensive gardens with mature shrubs and trees, terraces and lawns this is an ideal place to play music, socialise and to relax.

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 with 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. I hope to see you at Christmas in Prague or in 2010. If you have written an e-mail to me which has not been answered, please re-send it as I am still finding important emails and application forms in junk or spam filters.

All best wishes for the last months of this year, full of lots of music.
Vivienne E. Pittendrigh.

Previous Newsletters

September 2009
August 2009
June 2009
May 2009
February 2009
December 2008
October 2008