Aldeburgh Festival 2012

The Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts is now in its 65th year. The event offers a mix of concerts, operas, masterclasses, films and open air performances at different venues in the Aldeburgh/Snape area in Suffolk. BBC Radio 3 are heavily involved as are Arts Council England. The festival runs from Friday 8th June to Sunday 24th June 2012. This year Pierre-Laurent Aimard is artistic director.

Line-up

Friday 8 June

Where the Wild Things Are & Higglety Pigglety Pop!
Two of the world's most beloved books for children spring to life in these wildly imaginative operas by Oliver Knussen and Maurice Sendak
Snape 7.30pm

Saturday 9 June

Miklós Perényi I
Bach Suite No.1 for solo cello in G BWV1007 Veress Cello Sonata Lutoslawski Sacher Variations Bach Suite No.4 for solo cello in E flat BWV1010
Aldeburgh Church 11am

Festival Masterclass: Menahem Pressler
The legendary pianist gives an intensive series of masterclasses on chamber music by Schumann and Brahms, as part of an Aldeburgh Festival residency
Britten Studio, Snape 2pm–4.15pm

Sea Change
Two world premieres mark the start of a unique musical adventure as guitarist, James Boyd embarks on a voyage to Orkney aboard his classic boat Concord of Mersea
Aldeburgh Yacht Club 3pm

Gabriela Montero
Brahms Six piano pieces Op.118; Chopin Ballades Nos.1 & 4; and improvisations on themes suggested by the audience
Britten Studio, Snape 5pm

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
To celebrate Oliver Knussen’s 60th birthday and long Aldeburgh association, the first in a series of Festival concerts curated by him as Artist in Residence
Snape 8pm

Sunday 10 June

Open Air – The Invisible Voice
Come along and absorb the vocal happenings around you or even get involved
Aldeburgh Beach – between the North and South Lookout Towers 12.30pm

Festival Masterclass: Menahem Pressler
The legendary pianist gives an intensive series of masterclasses on chamber music by Schumann and Brahms, as part of an Aldeburgh Festival residency
Britten Studio, Snape 2pm–4.15pm

Where the Wild Things Are & Higglety Pigglety Pop!
Second performance
Snape 2.30pm

Laurence Edwards – Casting in Bronze
Modern British Sculpture Sculptor, Laurence Edwards talks about casting in bronze, using the site's works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Sarah Lucas as examples
Outer Foyer of the Concert Hall 6.30pm

Oliver Knussen in Conversation
To mark his 60th birthday his friend, composer Julian Anderson talks with Oliver Knussen about his career as a composer, conductor, and Aldeburgh Festival Artistic Director
Britten Studio, Snape 6.30pm

Peter Serkin
Wolpe Toccata in Three Parts; Takemitsu For Away; Alexander Goehr 'Air', 'Air – Double' Oliver Knussen Variations; Prayer-Bell Sketch; Beethoven Diabelli Variations
Snape 8pm

Monday 11 June

SNAP – A Discussion
Legendary curator, Norman Rosenthal, former head of exhibitions at the Royal Academy, chairs a discussion about this year's SNAP visual arts show, with a panel including some of the artists
Britten Studio, Snape 11am

Festival Masterclass: Menahem Pressler
The legendary pianist gives an intensive series of masterclasses on chamber music by Schumann and Brahms, as part of an Aldeburgh Festival residency
Britten Studio, Snape 2pm–4.15pm

Miklós Perényi II
Miklós Perényi cello; Bach Suite No.2 for solo cello in D minor BWV1008; György Kurtág Signs, Games and Messages (excerpts); Bach Suite No.5 for solo cello in C minor BWV1011
Blythburgh Church 3pm

Goerne & Aimard
Lieder by Schumann and Brahms
Snape 8pm

Tuesday 12 June

Films: Bartók Double Bill
After the Storm: the American exile of Béla Bartók and Solti conducts Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
Aldeburgh Cinema 11am

Festival Masterclass: Menahem Pressler
The legendary pianist gives an intensive series of masterclasses on chamber music by Schumann and Brahms, as part of an Aldeburgh Festival residency
Britten Studio, Snape 2pm–4.15pm

Miklós Perényi III
Bach Suite No.3 for solo cello in C BWV1009; Ligeti Cello Sonata; Bach Suite No.6 for solo cello in D BWV1012
Blythburgh Church 3pm

Collegium Vocale Gent
Gesualdo Tenebrae Responsories for Good Friday and Holy Saturday; Benedictus; Miserere Mei
Snape 7.30pm
Pre-performance talk with Tess Knighton. Snape 6.30pm

Wednesday 13 June

Festival Walk I
Along the banks of the Alde & Ore to the only model farm in the Suffolk Sandlings Depart Moot Hall, Aldeburgh. 9.30am

Menahem Pressler
Embellishing the Mozart–Beethoven–Schubert axis with a flourish of Chopin, and joining a select band of pianists for whom György Kurtág has written a musical tribute
Snape 7.30pm

Thursday 14 June

Festival Masterclass: Menahem Pressler
Solo piano repertoire
Britten Studio, Snape 11am – 1pm

Britten Films: An Exploration
An illustrated discussion exploring an astonishing artistic collective; how some of Britten’s very first professional commissions were to leave a powerful impression on his future creative life
Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh 2pm

Festival Masterclass: Menahem Pressler
Recital
Britten Studio, Snape 5pm

Britten Films
Performed live together as a set for the first time with the original films, this is a presentation of Britten's complete existing documentary film scores
Snape 8pm

Friday 15 June

Britten–Pears Young Artists I: European Connections
Beethoven Folksong arrangements for voice and piano trio; Vasco Mendonça New work for voice and piano trio; Brahms Piano Trio in C op.87
Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh 11am

Film: Henry Moore
Festival screening of a two-part BBC film focusing on the life and reputation of the sculptor, whose association with Britten and Pears began in the 1960s
Aldeburgh Cinema 3pm

Hesse Student Concert
The first of their popular end-of-week Hesse Students Concerts
Pumphouse, Aldeburgh 5pm

Dezsö Ránki
Aldeburgh debut for Deszö Ránki, who brings his renowned qualities – incisive clarity, an alert and persuasive musicianship and formidable technique – to a programme of invigorating contrasts
Snape 7.30pm

Saturday 16 June

Alfred Brendel
Liszt, Genius of Expression: an illustrated lecture
Snape 11am

Keller Quartet I
Bartók Quartet No.3; Quartet No.4; Bach The Art of Fugue (excerpts)
Aldeburgh Church 3pm

Monteverdi Choir & Gardiner
With echoes of their spectacular millennium Bach pilgrimage, they plan to perform the glories of Renaissance polyphony across the continent
Snape 7.30pm

Sunday 17 June

Festival Masterclass: Lachenmann Piano Music
Pierre-Laurent Aimard with four exceptional young pianists preparing the complete works of Lachenmann for the concert on Tuesday
Britten Studio, Snape 10am–12 noon

Open Air: Big Beach Jive
Bring your dancing shoes to Aldeburgh Beach for a fun-filled, toe-tapping journey to the 1940s and 1950s era of Swing Jive
Aldeburgh Beach – between the North and South Lookout Towers 12 noon

Laurence Edwards: Casting in Bronze
Modern British Sculpture Sculptor, Laurence Edwards talks about casting in bronze, using the site's works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Sarah Lucas as examples
Outer Foyer of the Snape Concert Hall 2pm

CBSO & Knussen
Harrison Birtwistle Cantus Iambeus; Bartók Three Village Scenes; Elliott Carter Interventions for piano and orchestra (UK premiere); Oliver Knussen Requiem – Songs for Sue; Ives The Fourth of July; Three Places in New England
Snape 6pm

Introducing Helmut Lachenmann
This is a brilliantly communicative imagination at work, a strange but bewitching music capable of other-worldly sensual beauty, brutal physicality, ghostly glances into history and a searching look into the future

Arditti Quartet I
Helmut Lachenmann Gran Torso: Music for String Quartet; String Quartet No.2 'Reigen seliger Geister'
Britten Studio, Snape 3pm

Arditti Quartet II
Helmut Lachenmann String Quartet No.3 'Grido'
Britten Studio, Snape 9pm

Monday 18 June

Ensemble Modern
Helmut Lachenmann Accanto (1975/76); ...zwei Gefühle..., Musik mit Leonardo (1992); Mouvement (–vor der Erstarrung) (1983/84)
Snape 7pm
Pre-performance talk Helmut Lachenmann in conversation with Paul Griffiths
Peter Pears Recital Room, Snape 5.30pm

Festival Masterclass: Dawn Upshaw
Her Festival masterclasses, jointly led by pianist Kayo Iwama, will explore the overlapping territories of 20thcentury American and French song
Peter Pears Recital Room, Snape 2.30pm–4pm

John Amis: Remembering the Aldeburgh Festival
His memories of the early Festivals and association with Britten, Pears, and Imogen Holst are bound to be a fascinating insight into the beginnings of an enduring artistic legacy
Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh 3pm

Alfred Brendel: Poetry & Music
Brendel reads from his own collection of poems
Britten Studio, Snape 10pm

Tuesday 19 June

Lachenmann – Complete Piano Music
Helmut Lachenmann The complete piano repertoire (Serynade; Five Variations on a theme by Franz Schubert; Child’s Play: Seven little Pieces; Cradle-Music; Echo Andante; Guero)
Britten Studio, Snape 11am

Festival Masterclass: Dawn Upshaw
Her Festival masterclasses, jointly led by pianist Kayo Iwama, will explore the overlapping territories of 20th-century American and French song
Peter Pears Recital Room, Snape 2.30pm–4pm

Keller Quartet II
Bartók Quartet No.1; György Kurtág Six Moments musicaux Officium Breve Op.28; Bartók Quartet No.6
Orford Church 3pm

Ian Bostridge
Schubert Widerschein D949; Alinde D904; Rastlose Liebe D222; Geheimes D719; Versunken D715; Der Winterabend D938; Die Sterne D939; Die Götter Griechenlands D677 And songs by Ives
Snape 7.30pm

Wednesday 20 June

Festival Walk II
Discovering Churches in and around Thornham Park
Depart Moot Hall, Aldeburgh 9.30am

Festival Masterclass: Dawn Upshaw
Her Festival masterclasses, jointly led by pianist Kayo Iwama, will explore the overlapping territories of 20th-century American and French song
Peter Pears Recital Room, Snape 2.30pm–4pm

Two Pianos and Percussion
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Tamara Stefanovich piano Daniel Ciampolini, Sam Walton percussion Keller Quartet
Bartók Piano Quintet; Sonata for two pianos and percussion
Snape 7pm

Before Life and After: Dramatised performances with film
Before Life and After is a performance of songs by Britten, Finzi and Tippett about fleeting experience, the loss of innocence, nostalgia, recollection, and mortality
Leiston Long Shop Museum 9.30pm

Thursday 21 June

Film Premiere: The Unthanks
A new BBC film following folk singers, Rachel and Becky Unthank on a journey around England's hidden customs and dance traditions and into the dark heart of its winter past-times
Aldeburgh Cinema 11am

Hesse Lecture: Richard Sennett
Though technology seems to suspend the importance of a physical bond between the artist and the public, the bond buildings create has become more important than ever Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh 3pm

Film: Requiem for a Village
Filmed on location in Suffolk in the mid 70s, the film catches the moment traditional rural life was about to be usurped by a cynical, less innocent age
Leiston Film Theatre 6pm
Please note the film is rated 18 and contains scenes of sexual violence

Before Life and After
Second performance
Leiston Long Shop Museum 9.30pm

Friday 22 June

Piano Colours
Liszt La Lugubre Gondola II Tristan Murail Cloche d'adieu, et un sourire ... In memoriam Olivier Messiaen Scriabin Sonata No.9 op.68 'Black Mass' George Benjamin Fantasy on Iambic Rhythm Debussy Préludes, Book I and II [excerpts]
Britten Studio, Snape 11am
Post-concert conversation with Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Norman Perryman
Jerwood Kiln Studio, Snape

Festival Masterclass: Dawn Upshaw
Her Festival masterclasses, jointly led by pianist Kayo Iwama, will explore the overlapping territories of 20th-century American and French song
Peter Pears Recital Room, Snape 2.30pm–4pm

Bartók and Britain
In this fascinating historical exposé, Malcolm Gillies delves into the pictorial, audio and documentary legacy of Bartók's British exposure
Aldeburgh Cinema 3pm

Bartók in Aldeburgh
Tamara Stefanovich reproduces Bartók's own 1923 programme in its entirety
Aldeburgh Parish Church Hall 4.30pm

Hesse Student Concert
The second of their popular end-of-week Hesse Students Concerts
Pumphouse, Aldeburgh 5pm

Keller Quartet III
Bartók Quartet No.2; Quartet No.5 Ligeti Quartet No.2
Hovering over Bartók in this Festival, Kurtág and Ligeti are an illuminating presence
Snape 7pm

Before Life and After
Third performance
Leiston Long Shop Museum 10pm

Saturday 23 June

EXAUDI: A John Cage Musicircus
An anarchic harmony of different musics all brought under one big top and blending together into a joyous sonic mess
Hoffmann Building, Snape 11am

Festival Masterclass: Dawn Upshaw
Her Festival masterclasses, jointly led by pianist Kayo Iwama, will explore the overlapping territories of 20th-century American and French song
Peter Pears Recital Room, Snape 2.30pm–4pm

Britten–Pears Young Artists II: Emerging Composers
Schoenberg Three Pieces for Chamber Orchestra Lutoslawski Chain 1; Plus premieres of new works by Edmund Finnis, Elizabeth Ogonek, Matthew Kaner, Ilad Rabinovitch, Elizabeth Winters, Arne Gieshoff and Eric Nathan
Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh 3pm

Bartók in Aldeburgh
Second performance
Aldeburgh Parish Church Hall 5.30pm

Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI
'Mare nostrum' A concert with music from Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions around theMediterranean
Snape 8pm

Sunday 24 June

Open Air: Five Rings Triples
Composer Howard Skempton's new work captures this moment of national and local celebration with bells throughout Aldeburgh at the opening weekend of the Cultural Olympiad and the culmination of Aldeburgh's festivities
Aldeburgh 12 noon

Festival Masterclass: Dawn Upshaw
Recital
Britten Studio, Snape 1pm

Laurence Edwards: Casting in Bronze
Modern British Sculpture Sculptor, Laurence Edwards talks about casting in bronze, using the site's works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Sarah Lucas as examples
Outer Foyer of the Snape Concert Hall 2pm

Universe Symphony
Musicians from Britten–Pears Orchestra, Aldeburgh Young Musicians, James Sinclair conductor
Snape Maltings 4pm

from 9 to 24 June

SNAP: Art at the Aldeburgh Festival
Influential artists in last year's inaugural SNAP exhibition, Sarah Lucas and Abigail Lane have pulled together another equally impressive roster of artists with East Anglian connections

Hepworth and Moore
Happisburgh 1929 and the Development of Modern British Sculpture
A unique sculptural journey of experimentation
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh 10am–5pm daily

Tickets

All events are separate so prices vary. To buy tickets, click here or telephone the Box Office on 01728 687110.

Accommodation

This event does not have camping but there are a number of hotels, hostels and guest houses in the area.

More information will be here when available.

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