This summer’s festival begins on Sunday 4 July with a piano recital given by Havilland Willshire in the
Columba Centre, Bowmore.  A cleverly designed programme features two anniversaries – Chopin and Schumann, plus works by Beethoven and Cesar Frank.  Havilland’s recital in 2009 produced an encore, much to the surprise of the pianist – such is his inate modesty.

The rest of the week’s programme emphasise the larger string repertoire including such staples as The Dag Wiren Serenade for strings, Mendelssohn string Symphony No 9 and Mozart – Adagio and Fugue.  A composer new to the Festival is Alessandro Scarlatti with two of his string sinfonias.

The two Bach Violin Concertos appear on Tuesday 6 July in the lovely acoustic of The Malt Hall, Lagavulin and the now traditional performance of the Mendelssohn Octet fills the first half of the final concert in Bruichladdich on Friday 9 July.

Another major contribution to the Festival is the return of Scott Mitchell, one of the original founders of Cantilena Festival on Islay along with Adrian Shepherd MBE, and Angus Ramsay.  Performances of the “Ghost” piano trio (Beethoven) on Monday 5 July and the “Archduke”  plus Schumann’s Piano Quartet on Wednesday 7 July, both at the Columba Centre are not to be missed..

The last Festival concentrated on the smaller sized chamber music, quartets and quintets , but the main aim of Cantilena has always been the performing of major string orchestra repertoire, the like of which our students are certain to be faced with when they join the profession.  These students are mainly chosen from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama on the basis that they are likely to benefit most from  a pressurised schedule,  are treated very much as equals for they have to contribute to  every performance as well as being “put through the mill” by the professionals during the heavy rehearsal schedule.

A new venture is planned for Wednesday 7 July when a string quintet will visit the Outback Art Gallery in the furthest northwest of the island at Sanaigmore  and will play from what’s known in the profession as “music from the pad” – a selection of light classical, opera,  plus others – for one hour.  This is not part of the main Festival and a price of £5 is payable.  Please check with the Art Gallery for further information.

As you will see there are six concerts for which single and season tickets are available: single at £12 and £10, and season tickets at £60 and £50.  Incidentally, the concessions are for senior citizens, unemployed and students up to age 18.   Children under 12 are FREE if accompanied by an adult.

Summer 2009 Summer Festival report now available - click here