Festival 2016

Von Otter Celebrates Shakespeare in Song at Oxford Liederfest

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oxford

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Oxford Lieder Festival – Shakespeare in Song: Purcell, Schubert, Berlioz, Debussy, Sibelius, Korngold, Britten, Tippett, Porter, Wainwright: Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano), Julius Drake (piano), Simon Robson (reader), Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford 24.10.2016. (CR)

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11th Malcolm Arnold Festival Displays Composer’s Musical Breadth

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11th Malcolm Arnold Festival 

Introduction

2016 sees the tenth year of the Festival since Arnold’s death and the 95th since his birth. Director Paul Harris, typically charming and resolute, says of this year’s theme: “We’ve called it ‘The Voice of the People’ … [which] sums up Sir Malcolm’s intentions as a composer. He was always determined to write music that could be immediately appreciated and although he embraced many 20th century “isms”, his music remains utterly accessible.”

Northampton’s Malcolm Arnold Festival still has a strong and even hectic pulse; this after ten years, with concerts, recitals, talks and illustrated lectures piling in one after another. It comes to about a dozen events over two days. New and usually good experiences and plenty to learn.

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