LAUNCH OF THE 30TH INTERNATIONAL NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL

The Newbury Spring Festival begins its programme on 10 May and I was invited to attend its launch on 6 March in the Corn Exchange. On arrival I met the Festival Director, Mark Eynon who in his speech to a crowded Bar 1864, gave an outline of this season’s programme. To anyone who is a follower of the Spring Festival, this year’s programme is mouth-watering. For example, the Festival begins with Mendelssohn’s magnificent Elijah in St. Nicolas Church, followed by internationally acclaimed musicians such as the pianist Emanuel Axe, the Chinese cellist Li Wei, the Russian State Symphony orchestra, the European Union Chamber Orchestra with Natalie Clein the brilliant cellist, and Dame Gillian Weir, the brilliant organist. For the first time, Gifford’s Circus will pitch camp at Victoria Park and a number of their performers were in the bar area in typical circus costumes. They will give performances between 15 and 18 May. The guest speaker Barry Millington congratulated the organising committee for such an extensive and highly talented programme. I should say that the programme was not just classical music but a wide range of music including jazz singers and groups and music from the Musicals, as well
as poetry. There is also a session from horticultural experts at Copse Farm. My priority is to get to Gillian Weir’s organ recital, that is if there are any tickets left. This is always a contentious aspect because by the time the programme is published, many of the concerts are sold out to the Friends. This was mentioned at the Launch with the response that the answer was to become a Friend. This makes the cost of a ticket unviable if only one concert is attended.