September 2009

The second Haydn Festival in Eszterhaza last month was unforgettable. To hear a great orchestra and quartets playing instruments of Haydn's time in the room for which Haydn wrote this music is a unique experience. In 2010 the Palace will be closed as they have been awarded a large grant to complete the restoration and refurbishment so we look forward to 2011 to see this wonderful place in its full glory. 

Divertimenti in Corfu Festival - 27 September to 4 October.
This year's programme is the most interesting we have ever had, with the brilliant Herold Quartet from Prague for wonderful concerts and inspiring coaching. This is proving very popular with an interesting group of six nationalities. The two days in Albania in the first week are packed with interest, and Butrint, one of the most amazing archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, with stunning excavations from prehistoric times through the many civilizations, will be a highlight. Plans for 2010 promise to be even more interesting and will be published soon.

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 and the world famous Christmas Market in the Old Town Square. Bookings are mow open with generous discounts for payments before 23 September. 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.

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 with the Prazak Quartet. Both these concerts will be in our Prague Spring Programme. Michal has a highly successful career worldwide as a soloist, as well as being cellist of the Prazak Quartet and the Kanka family are very much part of our "musical family". There are six other concerts and two operas: Don Giovanni at the Estates theatre where Mozart conducted the first performance is always memorable, and the other at the National Theatre is always a superb performance. Bookings are now open with a substantial discount for early payment. It would be advisable to book early as tickets for the operas sell quickly and I only make reservations once deposits are paid.

Budapest will be added to Vienna  in early June immediately after the 2010 Prague Spring Festival. A superb city with much of musical interest. I visited Budapest last week and found a charming hotel, ideal for us. Centrally located at the foot of the Gellert Hill with beautiful trees and gardens and built at the turn of the century, the rooms have lovely antique furniture in the style of the building but with modern bathrooms, phone, TV etc. I have some friends who have excellent contacts in the music world in Budapest and I am sure we will have some very special visits and excursions, in addition to concerts and opera. Vienna is always interesting and enjoyable with so much musical history. Our apartment hotel is so welcoming and in the Alte Wien style - to stay there is an experience in itself. 

I am writing this in the Veneto, one of the most beautiful, historic and interesting areas of Italy. I am staying with a friend who I have known since my childhood in Australia and together we have planned the Chamber Music Holiday in Asolo and Venice from 4 to 12 September 2010. The last Chamber Music Holiday here was in 2004 with two previous ones, all highly successful. The Asolo International Music Festival will be during our stay and a highlight will be the world famous Human Chess Game in Marostica held every two years. There will be one day to visit Venice and another exploring ths islands of Murano and Burano in the Venice lagoon. 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 which will open in October. All rooms and bathrooms are completely new and beautifully furnished with all modern conveniences including Wifi internet connection. Set in an extensive garden with terraces, lawns and mature shrubs and trees this is an ideal place to relax. 

I am thinking of including 6 or 7 days on the Rhine, one of the most beautiful parts of Germany. I have stayed in a delightful family-run hotel set on the banks of this magnificent river for several years on my way to and from England. Last month I was there twice and started thinking about a Chamber Music Holiday in this area with the opportunity to visit the Beethoven city of Bonn, take a cruise on the Rhine and see other parts of this beautiful and historic area. The hotel would welcome us playing music (many hotels will not allow this!) and in the next Newsletter there will be more information about this. At present I think the best time would be in May just before Prague or August, again just before Prague Summer Festival. Do write and let me know what you think.

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 and 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

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