Bangalow Music Festival

MEDIA RELEASE

14-17 August

What do you call a gathering of musicians – a festival? A tranquility? An excitement!

Chemistry, synchronicity, contrast and balance, the 13th Annual BANGALOW MUSIC FESTIVAL celebrates the genius of partnerships and the intimate art of couples.

In the unmatched and historic surrounds of the A & I Hall in downtown Bangalow, the Festival presents a stunning first-class international and national program of music and musicians from 14th – 17th August 2014.

This year the Festival will present nine magnificent concerts bringing together world class artists to present world class repertoire with music from Mendelssohn, Mozart, Ravel, the Russians Rimsky-Korsakov and Mussorgsky, Jolivet, Schuman, Brahms, Dvorak, Ravel, Schönberg, Beethoven, Mahler, Ives and so many more as well as modern compositions from Elena Kats-Chernin and Michael Daugherty. 

And to present this world-class music, an eclectic and extraordinary line-up of international and national artists will grace the intimate and cozy setting of the A & I Hall.  International violin virtuoso and Oscar & Golden Globe nominee, Jack Liebeck makes a welcome return to the lush rolling countryside of Bangalow; Acclaimed UK Violin sensation Victoria Sayles; performing on her GB Guadagnini violin made in 1751 in Milan, will be ex-Australian String Quartet member Sophie Rowell; also on violin, the inimitable Adam Chalabi, performing with the new supergroup of Australian chamber ensembles, The White Halo Quartet.

In a return-by-popular-demand engagement, the acclaimed Israeli-German Silver-Garburg Piano Duo will grace the stage again after wowing audiences at the 2013 festival.  This time performing the Brahms Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor Op. 25 in the original four-hand arrangement by the composer.

The instrument of ‘the voice’ will also feature in the 2014 line-up with the unparalleled and supreme genius that is Lisa Gasteen ; and the dynamic and culture-crossing prowess of local Northern Rivers jazz superstar, Leigh Carriage.

Artistic Director, Tania Frazer, said “This year’s festival is all about the power of partnerships – the internal essence of chamber music. We are particularly focused on the power of two – If you spend your life with another musician who experiences music maybe a little differently, you can help each other….couples can achieve more.

 “And in the spirit of achieving more we have expanded the BMF program with three (3) separately ticketed concert events in addition to the nine in the concert series.”

The 20th Anniversary of Zentveld’s Coffee at Newrybar will be celebrated with an intimate concert at the beloved roaster’s plantation and ‘coffee space’. Usually set up for barista training and tasting sessions, the space will be set up specially for an intimate gathering including members of the Southern Cross Soloists, Jack Liebeck, Vicky Sayles, and other headlining artists.

The traditional Festival Prelude will take place on the Thursday evening featuring musicians from the Northern Rivers performing with the Headliners from the Festival in a truly unique and fun concert.

Leading Australian conductor, Sarah-Grace Williams will join with the BMF Fellowship Quartet to provide a wonder-filled introduction for school children to the sights & sounds of the chamber music instruments in the Schools Concert.

In a Festival first, and with special thanks to Peter Mortimore, Windhorse Gallery and Barebones Artspace,  paintings and art from local artisans will be on display and available for sale in the foyer of A&I Hall throughout the weekend. A wonderful melding of art & music and the ability to view the talents of Bangalow’s finest artists whilst enjoying the world’s finest musicians.

And in another first, the inaugural Bangalow Music Festival Fellowship Quartet will be featured as the 2014 Quartet in Residence. Selected from a national search for Australia’s most talented and up-and-coming ensembles, the Fellowship Quartet will perform alongside our Festival Artists throughout the weekend in small ensemble, soloist, and orchestral formations. Be the first to hear Australia’s most promising emerging quartet in their debut at the Bangalow Music Festival at Concert 3 and in subsequent concerts throughout the weekend. Quartet to be selected at the end of April; announcement to be made in May 2014.

Full program, accommodation suggestions, and ticket purchase available at

www.southernxsoloists.com

Full Subscription tickets (taking in 9 concerts) currently on sale.

Subscription package of $330 ($300 groups of 6 or more)

Single tickets, Festival Prelude, Zentveldts Coffee Concert, and the Schools Concert tickets available in June.

Booking early makes securing accommodation easier and stress free, as local hotels tend to fill up quickly.

For further information please contact The Shock Factor, Tracey Whealey on 0417 146 552 or SxS Office: 07 3844 7260