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News of the Leamington Music Festival 2024
2-6 May
Based in the Royal Pump Rooms on The Parade
Czech music dominates the programme marking the bicentenary of the birth of Bedřich Smetana, and also the fiftieth anniversary of The Dvořák Society.
The music not only includes works by the four best-known Czech composers, Smetana, Dvořák, Janáček and Martinů, but also by lesser-known artists. Compoasers of Jewish heritage such as Korngold, Mahler and Tauský are also represented.
On 4th May there will be a talk by David Beveridge on Dvořák in Britain. This leads up to the premiere in the evening of an Oboe Quintet commissioned by the Society from Sylvie Bodorová.
Czech musicians include pianist Martin Kasík, oboist Vilém Veverka and the Martinů String Quartet. The Guarneri Piano Trio returns for an evening concert and the Kukal String Quartet makes its UK debut in a Coffee Concert.
British-based musicians included Simon Wallfisch, Imogen Whitehead trumpet, Ben Goldscheider horn, Elizabeth Wallfisch viola, Raphael Wallfisch and Gemma Rosefield cello, plus pianists Piers Lane, Iain Farrington and Richard Uttley. French violinist Philippe Graffin returns to Leamington this year.
Five festivals since 1995 have had a Czech theme. The Leamington connection is that the Czechoslovak Free Army was based in the town and surrounding area from 1940-42 and the Assembly Hall of the Royal Pump Rooms was used for the Army Choir rehearsals.
The Festival plans include further talks and a walk visiting sites associated with the Czechoslovak Free Army’s time. The Leamington Music Artist in Residence, Jane Williams, will have an exhibition of her pictures from the Czech festivals and there will be further displays from The Friends of Czech Heritage, the Friends of the Czechoslovak Memorial Fountain and The Dvořák Society.
Full details of the 2024 Leamington Music Festival will be published in January 2024 and booking will start with a priority period for the Friends of Leamington Music. Visit www.leamingtonmusic.org for latest information.
For further information and comment contact Richard Phillips Festival Director on 01926 497000 or email him on
Image © G-Man from Creative Commons Wikimedia
