THE 1999 Chamber Mus ic Festival, sponsored by RTE, will be run in the splendid surroundings of Bantry House from June 27th to July 4th.
The organising committee says it will provide a feast of contrasts, from an original instrument performance of a Boc cherini Quintet to early Schoenberg, Beethoven and Haydn.
"It is a festival of ensembles rather than soloists, though Joanna MacGregor, Hugh Tinney and Patrick Cohen will make keyboard appearances. Joining the Vanbrugh Quartet will be the original instrument quartet from Vienna - Quatuor Mosaiques - who draw packed houses wherever they play. At the other extreme will be the world-famous Arditti Quartet, who specialise in contemporary music," says the advance programme for the event.
The week will see a series of dramatic contrasts, including Schubert's familiar Death and the Maiden and the first quartet by the hugely successful young British composer, Tom Ades, with its Elgarian sub-plot.
The festival draws to a close with three young Irish quartets playing Mozart, Beethoven and Ravel after a week of daily master classes with Sigmund Nissel of Amadeus Quartet fame, and our other chamber musicians.
"The grand finale itself will begin with Ligeti's brief but deliciously funny bagatelles for wind quartet, and close with the Brahms's G Major string sextet, bringing together the Vanbrugh with our cello and viola soloists," the advance publicity says. There could hardly be a better location than Bantry House for a festival of enlivening and enlightening music.
The festival is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.