St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings 24\/25 August 2012<\/p>\n
Over two days new works by 15 composers were performed in three concerts in this festival\u00a0 produced by Hastings-based composer Polo Piatti. \u00a0Nigel Hess and Patrick Hawes were among them, together with Nobuya Monta, attending from Japan.\u00a0 Local composers were also taking part, including Thomas McLelland-Young,\u00a0 Jonathan Bruce & Louise Denny. Many of the composers were also in attendance and took part in discussions with each other and with other festival goers. The festival\u2019s broad theme was \u201cBeauty\u201d.<\/p>\n
Some of the composers were involved in their own performances as well as in performing the works of others. Also featured were the London Gala Orchestra, members of Hastings Philharmonic Choir, soloists and accompanists.<\/p>\n
The keynote speech was given by Nigel Hess, giving some insights into his own work as a composer, including television, film and stage work. He gave illustrations on the piano and managed \u00a0a lively and entertaining Question and Answer session. Local resident and BBC radio broadcaster & researcher Richard Sumner spoke on \u201cPlato\u2019s Aesthetics \u2013 the true meaning of beauty\u201d.\u00a0 Festival organizer and cultural anthropology expert Daniela Othieno talked about the idea of the Romantic in music, in the wider arts and its relationship to conemporary music.<\/p>\n
The majority of works featured were firmly based in the tonal tradition but within this there was some variety of harmonic and structural approaches. Many of the composers would say that they were champions of melody and perhaps see themselves as reactionaries against a prevailing culture of music that is less accessible and seen by many as being less emotional. Much of the discussion throughout the weekend focussed on these ideas.<\/p>\n
Notable performances were given by Tyler Hay, a young virtuoso pianist. He performed two of Simon Proctor\u2019s works which drew on a number of styles \u2013 Rhapsody No 21<\/em> and Paganini Metamorphosis. <\/em>The choir\u2019s presentations of Kate Dunn\u2019s Dei Gratia<\/em> and Soledad Para Dos<\/em> by Polo Piatti (with lyrics by Kate Barnwell) were particularly pleasing. Thomas McLelland-Young\u2019s 6 Songs for high voice & harp<\/em>\u00a0 were given a highly polished performance by Sarah-Jane Dame & Luisa-Maria Cordell. \u00a0Andy Meyers\u2019 Aphrodite<\/em> played by daughter Maria on recorder and the composer on piano was a particularly evocative portrayal of the story of Aphrodite\u2019s birth. Nigel Hess\u2019 The Statue<\/em> from The Winter\u2019s Tales\u2019<\/em> was beautifully performed by the orchestra as was Swan <\/em>by Patrick Hawes\u00a0 and Nobuya Monta\u2019s Concerto for Clarinet & Strings <\/em>with Sarah Thurlow as soloist.<\/p>\n There was a range of quality of composition and performance throughout the event\u00a0 and as with any new venture there are obviously improvements that can be made for the future. It is to be hoped, however, that this was the beginning of a regular festival. The presence of so many composers, the interest and excitement of hearing so much new music and the inclusive and welcoming\u00a0 ethos was all very stimulating. Whether attending\u00a0 as a composer, performer, participant in discussion or member of the audience there was much to enjoy and benefit from.<\/p>\n The event closed with Tango<\/em> Allegre <\/em>for choir and improvised piano composed and performed by artistic director Polo Piatti (piano) and Hastings Philharmonic Choir. The two conductors involved during the weekend Stephen Ellery & Aleksandras Simelis brought the house down as they took turns to conduct this final item and together danced a nifty tango. Polo Piatti should be congratulated on what he achieved. SP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings 24\/25 August 2012 Over two days new works by 15 composers were performed in three concerts in this festival\u00a0 produced by Hastings-based composer Polo Piatti. \u00a0Nigel Hess and Patrick Hawes were among them, together with Nobuya Monta, … Continue reading