By now, they have been reported. But just a warning, if like me, you are a culture journalist. Some musicians can’t take criticism – even if it is not directed at them and journalists are merely citing other people.
It was nice to have as last concert of the day, a performance by Mr. Belogurov. He may nearly be dubbed “an old hand”. He regularly performs in the Netherlands and it was not the first time I had the good fortune, to hear him at the Utrecht Early Music Festival.
The volunteers had locked the door and were struggling with the Early Music Festival banner. It kept folding, rolling tight and likely with a sharp, nasty snap. The public waited patiently and looked on. We were locked out, but the glass wall gave us a view of the struggle. Members of Silva Norvegica and instruments turned up, each time having to knock on the door to be allowed in.
While queueing for Silva Norvegic’s fringe concert, I overheard the conversation mentioned in the previous post. Just one remark to the spammer: read articles, posts, remarks, before you decide who is on the receiving end of criticism and why.
No idea why the locals often automatically get praised. National pride versus not enough knowledge of and exposure to what is happening in the wider world?
KuuB’s owner Mr. Jaap Roëll, introduced Scottish ensemble “Hesperi”. Their fringe concert took place in his art gallery. Tickets for this concert had completely sold out. Even extra seats provided by volunteers and the owner for people without tickets queuing to attend, were not enough to seat all! The last few people without tickets had to be turned away – and sadly, they missed a wonderful fringe concert. A truly fabulous concert!
The short “What’s new?” series of lectures are half-hour presentations by musicians who present their research. It is a new feature of the Early Music Festival and takes place nearly each festival day. The talks take place in Herz, at Tivoli-Vredenburg and start at 18:30.
The last fringe concert of the day, was another Fabulous one – in every respect. The instrument was one of my favorites. Musician Aleksander Mocek would proof to be as excellent and fabulous as the Hieronymous ensemble. No better way to conclude a perfect, rosy warm summer day in scenic Utrecht, filled with wonderful music, than with an outstanding and engaging performance.
No names of composers, but of the musicians of this ensemble. They focused on works by Walther, Mayer, Telemann and Händel. They aimed to create the illusion of a garden waking up to a perfect summer day, complete with dewy roses and plenty of bird-song. The early morning was followed by drowsy noon and the perfect afternoon. A kind of synopsis of an Early Music Festival day.
The Utrecht Early Music Festival is a training, selection and “breeding” ground for young, talented musicians. After being invited to take part in fringe concerts for one or more years, the best musicians will be promoted to the Fabulous Fringe circle. Musicians belonging to this circle will get the chance to perform in the best concert halls the festival offers. The same concert halls where international, world-famous ensembles perform.
