"Bringing big names to a small town"
The 2019 Festival Experience
The Animals
In 1964 a wave of new energetic rock and roll swept over the youth of the world. On the crest of this wave was The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and of course The Animals. From the banks of the River Tyne came the North East’s offering: a brand of “rhythm ’n blues” that the whole world seemed to go crazy for! They were the second British band to top the American charts after The Beatles with the now all-time favourite multi-million selling and legendary anthem, ‘House of the Rising Sun’. The band subsequently achieved over twenty global Top Ten hit records, many of which gained the Number One slot in various parts of the world. In Britain alone, the band had no less than twelve chart entries. The Animals were also the first British band to tour Poland and Japan.
Raphael Wallfisch & John York
Raphael Wallfisch and John York share a 37 year musical collaboration as a duo and these extraordinary musicians continue to exhilarate audiences worldwide. The repertoire Wallfisch and York have recorded and perform is extensive, arguably unmatched by any duo in the profession. It ranges across the entire spectrum from Bach, onward to the latest works written for them by leading British composer James MacMillan, to their world-première recording of the long-lost Zemlinsky sonata, alongside works by the Hungarian-born composer Goldmark, and the prolific child-prodigy Korngold. Recent seasons have seen the duo perform in London at Kings Place, in the Netherlands, in Ripon and Exeter cathedrals, the latter concert being a major Holocaust Memorial recital which was also given an historic performance in the Berlin Bundestag, and at festivals throughout the UK, going on to give concerts in Germany, Zurich and Bucharest and around the UK, as well as on the BBC and at the Wigmore Hall.
Jacqui Dankworth
Given the musical pedigree of Jacqui Dankworth, daughter of Dame Cleo Laine and the late Sir John Dankworth – it is no surprise that Jacqui is firmly positioned as one of the UK’s foremost jazz vocalists. In this very special and intimate evening, Jacqui turns her attention to the most iconic vocalists of the Twentieth Century and the singers who defined ‘The Great American Songbook’ including ★ Ella Fitzgerald ★ Billie Holiday ★ Sarah Vaughan ★ Nina Simone ★ Peggy Lee ★
Through a diverse repertoire arranged and curated by Jacqui, the concert celebrates the music of these Jazz Sirens, whose legacy and influence defined a classic era of jazz singing. Featuring classic numbers that made them international stars, alongside stylish re-workings of lesser-known gems, this is an evening of world-class music celebrating the ‘Jazz Sirens’. Jacqui has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians and groups throughout her career including Marvin Hamlisch, Paloma Faith, Alan & Marilyn Bergman and Chick Corea.
Tedesca String Quartet
The Tedesca Quartet was formed in 2011 – brought together by the violinist and conductor Nic Fallowfield, and the four members share many years experience of music-making at the highest level. The quartet rapidly developed a reputation for performances of integrity and immediacy and an intimate connection with audiences. Before their performance of the Bartok 4th String Quartet, the Tedesca Quartet gave a talk, with musical demonstrations, giving a wonderful insight into the thought processes behind its composition and an introduction into its extraordinary sound-world.